A child's baby teeth are generally whiter than the adult teeth that follow. As a person ages, the adult teeth often become darker due to changes in the mineral structure of the tooth and the enamel becoming less porous. Teeth can become stained from bacteria, tobacco, and foods and drinks, i.e. red wine, tea, coffee, soda, and berries. Certain antibiotic medications (esp. tetracycline) can also cause teeth stains or a reduction in the brilliance of the enamel. Excessive fluoride can also cause tooth discoloration or mottled enamel.
There are several methods to whiten teeth.
- Bleaching Strips
- Bleaching Pens
- Bleaching Gels
- Laser bleaching
The degree of whiteness will vary from patient to patient, depending on the individual, the shade and type of staining. Intrinsic staining (stain within the the tooth) is much harder to bleach, and may not achieve the results one is expecting. Tooth mottling from excessive fluoride is also tricky when it comes to whitening because sometimes the mottled spots only become whiter.
Bleaching can be done with over-the-counter (OTC) products or in office at a dental office.
If you're thinking about (OTC) bleaching, we would advise sticking with a reputable brand of a bleaching product, such as Crest, Colgate, or Rembrandt. We advise staying with these companies because they have been around for years and have a long standing reputation to maintain. Therefore, their bleaching products are safe to use. We cannot be sure of the efficacy and side effects of the many other brands that are available.
If you're thinking of using an OTC bleaching product, do not use more than once in a 6 month period. Also, generally, we do not recommend bleaching, whether OTC or in office, for individuals under 18 years of age. It depends on the bone growth completion of the adolescent. This is due to eruption not fully completed or additional jaw growth not yet completed. If done too early, an area not bleached could show up later,on the exposed tooth , making it difficult to match.
Professional dental whitening is performed in a dental office and monitored by a licensed dentist. In office bleaching can be done two ways:
- Gel in trays performed at home (monitored by a dentist)
- Gel and light combination performed at the dental office
The side effects of any bleaching procedure, at home or in office, may include sensitivity and minor tingling sensations. These side effects always dissipate.
If you have any additional questions regarding dental whitening or are thinking about having your teeth whitened, please feel free to discuss it with us at your next visit or call us at (908)-232-8455!
We hope you found this information helpful!
The above information is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute health or medical advice. Consult a qualified dentist to determine an individualized treatment plan.
