When it comes to teeth whitening, you may see many different methods featured online and in magazines—from oil pulling to charcoal, and even turmeric. It's no surprise that DIY whitening is top of mind, either.
Teeth whitening involves bleaching your teeth to make them lighter. It can't make your teeth brilliant white, but it can lighten the existing colour by several shades.
Teeth whitening is a form of dentistry and should only be carried out by a dentist or another regulated dental professional, such as a dental hygienist or dental therapist, on the prescription of a dentist.
Some beauty salons offer teeth whitening, but this is illegal if there's no dental professional present, and it may put your oral health at risk.
If you’re considering whitening your teeth, make sure you use the most reliable and safest methods.
Here we try to separate the facts from fiction about these products.
True
⇝ Getting your teeth whitened by a professional dentist is the best way to go for safe and optimal results. A dentist can identify the best methods that will work on your teeth.
⇝ If done properly, brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes can make them whiter.
⇝ Use a whitening toothpaste for whiten your teeth in a safe manner. Some whitening toothpastes contain ingredients such as calcium carbonate, which break down the enamel instead of protecting it. Look for a whitening toothpaste that contains carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide that help whiten teeth quickly and effectively.
False
⇝ Do-it-yourself teeth whitening kits, including strips, gels, and LED light methods are safe and effective. This is FALSE. These products are often ineffective and unsafe and may leave your teeth with more damage and sensitivity than before.
⇝ Using scrubs like baking soda or charcoal are safe and effective. This is FALSE. While they may remove surface stains, they are actually abrasive and may make your teeth look more discoloured. Enamel is what you’re looking to whiten, but if you damage it, you run the risk of exposing the dentin layer, which looks more yellow than white.
⇝ Eating certain fruits can help whiten your teeth. This is FALSE. Fruits that are naturally acidic such as lemons and oranges can strip enamel and cause tooth decay. Food or drinks that stain the teeth such as coffee and red wine are typically acidic and harmful to efforts to whiten your teeth.
Charcoal isn’t just porous, it’s also abrasive. Even as it absorbs harmful compounds from your mouth and disrupts bacterial populations, it could also be scraping away your enamel, doing more harm than good. Until we know more about the effects of charcoal on teeth, it’s safer to give that home remedy a pass.
Lemon Juice: Dissolving Stains or Dissolving Teeth?
The enamel on your teeth is the hardest substance in your body, but it is extremely susceptible to erosion by acid. Your saliva keeps the pH in your mouth balanced to protect your enamel, but any time you eat or drink something acidic, that pH is disrupted, and your teeth are vulnerable. Using lemon juice on your teeth in hopes of whitening them is, therefore, likely to cause a lot of enamel erosion, and once that enamel is gone, it’s gone for good.
Strawberries and Bananas
Strawberries do contain some citric acid, but they also contain malic acid (particularly when ripe), which actually can give your teeth a whiter appearance. Bananas contain potassium, magnesium, and manganese, all of which promote healthier teeth and can help remove surface stains. So these two do-it-yourself teeth whiteners may actually provide some benefit! Both fruits still contain sugar, however, so you should still brush your teeth with dentist approved toothpaste after eating them.
Professional Whitening
If you want immediate results, visit your dentist for a professional zoom whitening treatment. The entire process takes roughly an hour, so you don’t have to wait long for amazing results. In-office, your dentist applies a protective gel to your gums. Afterward, he or she spreads another specialized, light-activated gel on your teeth. He or she then uses a specially designed light to activate the whitening gel.
If you want a more cost-effective method, ask your dentist about tray whitening to enhance your smile. Your dentist will take a mould of your teeth to create a custom tray for you. Your dentist will then instruct you on proper use and tell you how long to use your whitening trays.
On the other hand, in-office whitening is incredibly fast and safe for eligible patients. But that doesn’t mean in-office treatment costs a fortune. A professional whitening is also more affordable than you think.
Don’t rely on myths and rumours to make an informed decision. Remember the facts about and benefits of teeth whitening when you decide to brighten your smile.
If you have your teeth whitened, you'll need to make several visits to the dental office over a couple of months.
The dentist will take an impression of your teeth to make a mouthguard and tell you how to use it with a bleaching gel. Then, using your mouthguard at home, you regularly apply the gel for a specified period of time over 2 to 4 weeks. Some whitening gels can be left on for up to 8 hours at a time, which shortens the treatment period to 1 week.
Laser whitening, also known as power whitening, is another type of teeth whitening system that a dentist can provide. A bleaching product is painted onto your teeth and then a light or laser is shone on them to activate the whitening. Laser whitening takes about an hour.
Despite their desires for whiter, brighter smiles, many people have concerns about the possible dangers of teeth whitening. While there are many options to choose from—including whitening toothpaste and mouthwash, whitening strips, bleaching trays and gels, and laser teeth whitening—each product is safe when used as directed. Remember, proper use is essential to the safety of teeth whitening products .
Facts About the Safety of Teeth Whitening
Proper use is essential to the safety of teeth whitening products. Teeth whitening products with bleach, such as teeth whitening strips, are designed to remove both intrinsic and extrinsic stains safely when used as directed. Intrinsic teeth stains are stains caused by trauma to the tooth, or by medications, excessive fluoride use, and normal aging. Extrinsic stains are the stains caused by exposure over time to food, drink, or tobacco products.
Is Whitening Toothpaste Bad for Your Teeth?
Toothpaste is a safe, teeth whitening option. In fact, because of their ingredients, some can even help strengthen your teeth in addition to whitening them. Toothpaste strengthens and rebuilds weakened tooth enamel, while removing up to 90% of surface stains in only one week.
Is Bleaching Your Teeth Bad?
Bleaching your teeth is a process where products containing ingredients, like hydrogen peroxide, whiten on and below your enamel surface. It is important to use products that are made specifically for teeth, as they have clear instructions for usage and are formulated with safe levels of hydrogen peroxide.
Some home kits don't contain enough whitening product to be effective. Also, if a dental professional isn't doing the whitening, the mouthguard provided may not fit properly so some of the bleaching gel may leak out onto your gums and into your mouth, causing blistering and sensitivity.
Why Are My Teeth Yellow When I’m Brushing All the Time?
First, let’s address the issue of stains. Adults’ teeth can become stained over time for a number of reasons that have nothing to do with how frequently you brush, including:
⇝ Frequent consumption of staining drinks like red wine, tea and coffee
⇝ Erosion of enamel, which exposes the yellow-tinged dentin below
⇝ Smoking
Kids can also experience tooth staining due to certain medications.
Enamel of permanent teeth is also less white compared to baby teeth. Enamel of baby teeth is usually a bright white colour. When side by side, this can make permanent teeth appear more yellow.
Teeth whitening isn't permanent. It can last from a few months to up to 3 years – it varies from person to person.
The whitening effect won't last as long if you smoke or drink red wine, tea or coffee, which can all stain your teeth.
