What does teeth whitening consist of?

One of the most requested treatments in dentistry is teeth whitening, especially when the good weather arrives. Although each person has a different shade of white naturally, with the passage of time it can happen that our teeth yellow. In most cases in which this happens we can recover the natural tone of our teeth with a simple dental whitening.

But why do teeth become yellower over time? This can happen for different reasons: regular consumption of tea, coffee or red wine, smoking, some medications or improper oral hygiene can cause our teeth to acquire that unsightly yellowish-brownish shade.

Teeth whitening helps us to improve the tone of the teeth, although only in those cases in which 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 shade, the color is already intrinsic to the tooth, it cannot be changed with dental whitening -although there are other treatments, such as veneers or porcelain microfaces, which are effective in these cases-.

What exactly does teeth whitening consist of?

There are different methods to achieve whiter teeth, but above all we must be careful that the treatment we perform does not damage the enamel. That is why we always advise against home treatments, even if they are based on natural products, as they do not protect the enamel. For example, the acid in lemon, no matter how natural it is, 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, worsening the situation.

At the Ahoa Clinic we use hydrogen peroxide at different concentrations for our teeth whitening treatments. This product abrasions in a controlled manner the first micro-layers of enamel. 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 treatment we protect the oral mucous membranes and gums to avoid irritation and to reduce tooth sensitivity as much as possible.

How does the whitening process work?

At the Ahoa Clinic we first perform a health check of the teeth and gums. In the case of caries or gum inflammation, the treatment cannot be performed, since the abrasive agent would worsen the symptoms of the problem. Before we will have to treat the inflammation of the gums and cavities, and once we have it under control we can proceed to teeth whitening.

Afterwards, we carry out a study of the base color and we establish a goal: to reduce the color of the teeth by one, two or three tones. Keep 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 correspond to how the patient wants to look. In the end, what we want is to achieve a shade that harmonizes naturally with the person’s features.

In this phase of the process we will also make some recommendations so that the patient takes care of the whitening and that it lasts as long as possible, such as not smoking and a white diet for two weeks, and avoid consuming foods with dyes that can stain or darken the teeth, such as coffee, red wine or Coca-Cola.

The treatment in the clinic lasts between 20 and 30 minutes, and between two and four sessions can be done. 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 evaluate if we have achieved the desired shade with respect to the original color, and if tooth sensitivity has appeared. From here, we will decide if the treatment is finished or if we can continue to improve the shade of the teeth.

Teeth whitening tips

It is important to remember that it is considered a reversible treatment, that is to say, that with the passage of time, approximately between six and nine months, we will return to have a tone similar to the initial one. Therefore, after this time we will have to perform the treatment again. It is also true that the more times we perform the 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 to make your teeth whitening more effective

• Ask your dentist to perform a health check of your teeth and gums before whitening.
• Avoid consuming beverages such as coffee, tea, red wine and Coca-Cola; or foods such as beet, curry and other spices with intense coloring, soy sauce or blueberries.
• If you smoke, keep in mind that not only does it negatively affect the color of your teeth, but tobacco has detrimental effects on youroverall oral health.
• Consult your dentist about the toothbrush and toothpaste best suited to 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 “miracle” 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 and enjoy a beautiful and natural smile.