One of the most requested treatments in dentistry is teeth whiteningespecially when the good weather arrives. Although each person naturally has a different shade of white, over time it can happen that our teeth turn yellow. In most cases in which this happens, we can recover the natural tone of our teeth with a simple tooth whitening.
But why do teeth become more yellow over time? This can happen for different reasons: regular consumption of tea, coffee or red wine, tobacco, some medications or poor oral hygiene can cause our teeth to take on that unsightly yellowish-brown hue.
Teeth whitening helps us improve the tone of the teeth, although only in those cases where it can really be improved. For example, if during the development of the teeth we have taken some medication such as tetracyclines and these have acquired a dark hue, the color is already intrinsic to the tooth, it cannot be changed with tooth whitening —although there are other treatments, such as porcelain veneers or microveneers, which are effective in these cases—.
What exactly does teeth whitening consist of?
There are different methods to get whiter teeth, but above all we must be careful that the treatment we carry out does not damage the enamel. That is why we always advise against home treatments, even if they are based on natural products, since the enamel is not protected. For example, lemon acid, as natural as it may be, damages the enamel and causes stains on the teeth. Other treatments based on natural products can also damage the enamel or cause stains to appear, making the situation worse.
At the Ahoa Clinic we use hydrogen peroxide at different concentrations for our teeth whitening. This product abrades the first microlayers of enamel in a controlled way. The one we use in the treatment at the clinic is at a high concentration, 37%, and the one we provide for home treatments is at 16%. In addition, during the treatment we protect the oral mucosa and the gums to avoid irritation, and to reduce dental sensitivity as much as possible.
How does the whitening process work?
At the Ahoa Clinic we first carry out a teeth and gum health check. In the event that there is caries or inflammation of the gums, the treatment cannot be carried out, since the abrasive agent would worsen the symptoms of the problem. Before we will have to treat the inflammation of the gums and the cavities, and once we have it controlled we can proceed to the dental whitening.
Next, we carry out a study of the base color and we set a goal: reduce the color of the teeth by one, two or three shades. We must bear in mind that we do not always want to achieve that nuclear white Hollywood smile that we see in advertisements, because it does not look natural and does not respond to how the patient wants to see himself. In the end, what we want is to achieve a tone that harmonizes naturally with the features of the person.
At this stage of the process we will also make some recommendations for the patient to take care of the whitening and for it to last as long as possible, such as not smoking and following a white diet for two weeks, and avoiding foods with dyes that can stain or darken teeth, such as coffee, red wine or Coca-Cola.
treatment in clinic lasts between 20 and 30 minutes, and can be done between two and four sessions. Always after each session we will apply fluoride gel to minimize the sensitivity effect of the abrasive agent and prevent possible discomfort.
Finally, we will assess if we have achieved the desired tone with respect to the original color, and if dental sensitivity has appeared. From here, we will decide if the treatment has finished or we can continue improving the tone of the teeth.
Tips on teeth whitening
It is important to remember that it is considered a reversible treatment, that is, with the passing of months, approximately between six and nine, we will have a tone similar to the initial one. That is why after this time we will have to carry out the treatment again. It is also true that the more times we perform whitening over the years, the easier it will be to maintain and perpetuate the tone achieved over time.
It is also very important that the whitening treatment is guided by a professional who maintains the health of the teeth and ensures a beneficial effect, avoiding adverse effects such as dental hypersensitivity.
Recommendations for your teeth whitening to be more effective
- Ask your dentist to do a health check of your teeth and gums before you whiten.
- Avoid consuming beverages such as coffee, tea, red wine and Coca-Cola; or foods such as beets, curries and other intensely colored spices, soy sauce or cranberries.
- If you smoke, remember that it not only negatively affects the color of your teeth, but also tobacco has detrimental effects on your oral healthin general.
- Consult your dentist about the most suitable toothbrush and toothpaste for your particular mouth. Proper oral hygiene is essential to keep your mouth healthy and in perfect condition.
And above all, avoid home treatments that promise “miraculous” whitening: many of these products, natural or not, contain agents that damage tooth enamel, such as lemon acid, and cause stains that are difficult to remove.
Now that the good weather is here, it is the ideal time to have a whitening procedure and enjoy a beautiful and natural smile.