Myth 1 - Teeth Whitening ruins your tooth enamel
Not
generally true! Professional Teeth Whitening product suppliers mostly
use Hydrogen Peroxide or Carbamide Peroxide as the active ingredients in
their tooth whitener gels. The chemical Hydrogen Peroxide (HO) is a
bleaching agent which converts into water (HO) and releases an Oxygen
molecule (O) in the process of the chemical reaction. Both Water and
Oxygen are common, safe components of our everyday lives.
The
Oxygen particles penetrate the rough surface of your tooth (even though
they appear smooth, they are microscopically rough, rod like crystal
structures) and dislodge staining particles. I like to explain this by
imagining the TV commercials which show how a clothes washing powder
with oxygen lifts stains from your clothing.
The "bleach" Hydrogen
Peroxide is not the same as household bleach containing ammonia, or
other low-end, acid based tooth whitening products, and can be
swallowed, within limits. In fact our own bodies produce Hydrogen
Peroxide naturally!
Acidic products can remove enamel from your
teeth. Look for teeth whitening products using Hydrogen Peroxide which
is pH balanced, meaning they have no, or low acidity levels. Putting
acidity into perspective, you should be aware that everyday Orange Juice
is shown in lab studies to soften (and potentially erode) tooth enamel
by many times more than a professional hydrogen peroxide based tooth
whitening gel could, if used correctly.
Myth 2 - Teeth Whitening is not Safe
Not
true! Cosmetic Teeth Bleaching with Hydrogen Peroxide has been in use
for 100 years. Most recognized dental bodies worldwide endorse tooth
bleaching as a generally safe practice, when simple safety steps are
followed. Any professional supplier of teeth whitening products will
include adequate instructions for the safe use of their product.
Safety
vs Risk with tooth whitening is generally centred on 2 main issues:
Exposure of the gel to the gums and soft tissue of the mouth or lips,
and tooth sensitivity. Both can be minimized by using professional
products and minimizing the amount of time the bleaching gel is exposed
to the gums or teeth.
As with any cosmetic procedure, there are
potential risks. Thankfully with professional teeth whitening any side
effects experienced are temporary and are not permanent. As with most
cosmetic procedures, you may have to endure some discomfort to look
better. Sometimes I call this "Vain Pain".
Myth 3 - All whitening Gel is the same
Not
true! Of the two major professional gel options, there is Carbamide
Peroxide and Hydrogen Peroxide. Both produce the same active ingredient
Hydrogen Peroxide, but Carbamide Peroxide acts SLOWER on the teeth and
is recommended for use only with an Accelerator Light (I will talk about
that later) or for overnight use. Carbamide Peroxide concentrations
contains roughly 1/3 of the active ingredient, Hydrogen Peroxide. As an
example, 35% Carbamide Peroxide is roughly equal to 12% Hydrogen
Peroxide.
Because Hydrogen Peroxide is an unstable chemical which
reacts immediately, it is more expensive to produce. Many vendors offer
only Carbamide Peroxide based products as a result. Stabilized Hydrogen
Peroxide, while the most difficult and expensive to produce, reacts
immediately on contact with the teeth and is best suited for short
duration tooth whitening treatments without an accelerator light.
Myth 4 - Teeth Whitening Accelerator Lights don't work
Not
generally true! Except in some cases. There are businesses who sell
only take home teeth whitening kits, and some Dentists, who say that the
LED Lights and other accelerator lights are just a gimmick and don't
work.
There have been many studies conducted which show that the
use of a professional accelerator light does indeed accelerate the
oxidization (the release of oxygen and chemical bleaching reaction) of
tooth whitener gel. This is especially true with Carbamide Peroxide
based whitening gels which react much slower chemically.
Ask
yourself, how many Dentists and Cosmetic Dentistry businesses offer an
"in-office", "chairside", "instant whitening" or "Power Whitening"
treatment? Many of them! Now why would they offer this treatment if the
accelerator lights did not work? From my own professional experience,
there is no doubt that the professional quality Blue LED Accelerator
lights enable a faster tooth whitening result when using Carbamide
Peroxide gel. In our own studies and observations having worked with
thousands of clients and compared the results with the same gel, over
the same time period, with and without the LED Accelerator Lamp, we are
sure there is a noticeable improvement with the light under these
conditions.
But, not all Accelerator Lights are the same. Some
Dentists use older technology lamps such as Plasma, UV and other
technologies. These technologies function at a light spectrum which is
known to cause heating or burning of the skin tissue and heating of the
tooth surface to release the oxygen in the gel, unfortunately that can
also mean UV damage to your mouth, gums and lips. There are also mini
handheld LED Lights you often see in TV Commercials - these are only
toys and do not have enough power to have any effect.
Another case
of where an accelerator light doesn't work well is if the provider uses
a mouth tray to hold the gel against the teeth, and this tray is
coloured, is a "Silicone Impression" tray, or is a Pre-Filled Foam tray.
These types of mouthguard trays do not allow the light frequency to
pass through them and there are no accelerated bleaching effects as a
result.
Modern, professional teeth whitening accelerator lamps all
use LED light in the blue light spectrum, at a specific frequency which
excites the oxygen release from the chemical, and accelerates the tooth
whitening process. They are often known as "Cool LED" or "cold" light
accelerators because they do not heat the teeth or surrounding tissue.
As a result, they are perfectly safe, and the technology is FDA
Apparoved.
Myth 5 - You need to go to a Dentist to get professional whitening results
Not
true! Today, you can buy in Australia, professional strength tooth
whitening products which you can use at home or as a service with a
professional accelerator light and assistance - and not just from the
Dentist.
Dentists are exclusively allowed to use the VERY STRONG
bleaching gels, over 16% Hydrogen Peroxide, and up to 35% Hydrogen
Peroxide. At these strengths of whitening gel, the real risks are tooth
sensitivity and gum trauma. Dentists therefore use a special gum barrier
which they apply to your gums prior to applying the strong gels. A
Dentist will usually get a better whitening result in the same amount of
time as a non-dental treatment, but there are costs to consider, both
financially and in increased tooth sensitivity when using the stronger
Dentist-only treatments.
For many years the Dentist's had the
cosmetic teeth whitening market monopolized because professional teeth
whitening technology was too expensive for anyone else. Today, the price
and availability of professional tooth whitening products means you
have many more choices and options.
Myth 6 - Teeth Bleaching Gels from anywhere other than USA, Australia or UK are unsafe
Not
true! First of all, in this modern world, you may not even know it but
products appearing to be manufactured by a good American or Australian
brand are most likely actually manufactured in China. This is true with
all types of products and technology worldwide, due to simple economics.
There
are many brands of teeth whitening products available in the market.
You don't need to be concerned where they were manufactured, because it
makes NO DIFFERENCE. The active chemical, Hydrogen Peroxide is the same
the world over. Because Hydrogen Peroxide is also used as a
disinfectant, bacteria can't live in this chemical and it will always be
safe (ie; germ and bacteria free) to put Hydrogen Peroxide based gel
into your mouth regardless of where it came from or how it was
manufactured.
If the Hydrogen Peroxide gel is past its use by date
or chemically expired, you will know right away, because the gel turns a
milky white colour which shows that it is already oxidized and will no
longer be effective at whitening your teeth, it won't cause any harm.
Myth 7 - You need customized Mouthguard trays to get best whitening results
Not
true! While Dentists offer custom mouth trays which costs a lot of
money, there are also many home whitening kits providing the boil-n-bite
thermoshrinking mouthguards which will work equally as well. The
totally custom trays may be a little more comfortable to wear, but they
need to be, because in general, a Dentist's at-home teeth whitening kits
require you to have the tray in your mouth for long periods of time,
over weeks of use. There are non-dentist products which only require
short time duration usage, so it doesn't matter as much if the
mouthguard is less comfortable.
The other problem with mouthguards
which are too form-fitted is that the gap between the teeth and the
surface of the mouthguard is so small, that only the thinnest layer of
whitening gel can fit between. The problem with this is less chemical =
less whitening result, so you need to use the mouthguard and gel more
frequently, over longer periods of time to get a good result.
Myth 8 - All teeth are the same and whitening results should be like the "Hollywood" smile
Unfortunately,
some people have unrealistic expectations and can be disappointed with
their teeth whitening results. This is not because professional teeth
whitening products don't work, because they ALWAYS WORK to some degree.
It's because they fail to understand that each person's teeth are unique
in mineral composition, which means that tooth bleaching will produce a
different result for each person. If your teeth are genetically more
yellow than someone else, your results will not be as white, no matter
who's product you use, how many times you try to whiten your teeth, or
what the strength of the gel is. And some people have deep staining from
antibiotics, tetracycline etc. which can't be easily removed and may
never be fully removed. Also, there are people with genetically grey or
blue tinted teeth for which Hydrogen Peroxide bleaching does not work as
well as yellow or brown colour tints.
People see the Hollywood
Stars on TV and in Movies and believe they can get their teeth bleached
to look like the movie stars. Unfortunately, that is not possible.
Chemical Teeth Whitening has its limits of effectiveness and will not
produce the pure white colour (for most people) you see on Movie Stars.
Does that mean that movie stars are just genetically lucky? No, it means
that movie stars have often paid many thousands of dollars for
Porcelain Veneers to straighten their teeth and make them pure white. Of
course you have this option too, if you have the money, but a tooth
whitening with Hydrogen Peroxide generally makes a noticeable difference
in whiteness and brightness of natural teeth, at a much lower cost than
Veneers.
Myth 9 - If I have Caps, Crowns, Veneers or Dentures so I can't whiten my teeth
Not
true! While Hydrogen Peroxide only whitens natural teeth, it also
cleans all surfaces, including man-made surfaces of caps, crowns,
veneers and dentures. Some dentists say that hydrogen peroxide can
weaken the bond of some of these artificial substances, or attack the
metal components, but you should check with your Dentist about your
specific case before whitening your natural teeth if you are concerned.
It
is always better to whiten your natural teeth FIRST if you are going to
be getting any caps, crowns etc. fitted. This is because the dentist
can then match the colour of the artificial substance to your now
whiter, natural teeth, giving an overall whiter smile.
Common Questions and Answers about Teeth Whitening:
Does Whitening Toothpaste work?
The
problem here is that there is not a strong enough concentration of any
chemical, and it is not concentrated on your teeth long enough to make
ANY noticeable difference to the whiteness of your teeth. The only real
"whiteness" if you can call it that, which is created by toothpaste is
actually the abrasive action of the toothbrush or paste against your
tooth enamel. This scratching DOES wear down tooth enamel and also
removes large chunks of staining material on the tooth surface, but not
the tiny staining particles which make teeth look more yellow. This is
the same thing with "Tooth Polishes" which only act like a fine
sandpaper to remove tooth enamel while brushing and will cause increased
tooth sensitivity with prolonged use tooth enamel thins.
As with
the Risk vs Reward argument, while there is significant damage caused to
tooth enamel from tooth brushing over time, on balance this is better
than the consequences of not cleaning your teeth.
Don't be fooled
by those expensive "whitening toothpastes" - they do not make a
noticeable difference to the whiteness of your teeth, they are
abrasively removing enamel from your teeth and you're better off
spending your money on something that does work.
Who is suitable for Teeth Whitening?
The generally recommended rules to define people who are suitable for teeth whitening are:
- Over 16 years of age (due to potential development of the teeth prior to this age, parental consent may be required)
- Not Pregnant or Lactating (this is an additional safety measure to
protect babies, although you would not generally be able to swallow
enough Hydrogen Peroxide from a normal teeth whitening treatment to harm
your baby)
- No known allergies to Hydrogen Peroxide. If you have ever developed
skin irritation when bleaching your hair with Hydrogen Peroxide, you may
be allergic. But if you don't know you're allergic, it will become
evident in the first few minutes of a teeth whitening treatment, and you
can simply stop the treatment. Any side effects, no matter how
discomforting will disappear in a few days with no permanent damage.
Aside
from these conditions, teeth whitening is not advisable for people with
Dental Braces, people with gum disease, open cavities, leaking
fillings, recent oral surgery, or other dental conditions. If in doubt, I
recommend you visit your Dentist prior to using a professional strength
teeth whitening product.
People with grey or blue tint colour to
their natural teeth may also not benefit as greatly from teeth whitening
using Hydrogen Peroxide, as people with yellow or brown tint colour.
If
you have Gingivitis or Periodontal disease, any Hydrogen Peroxide
bleach on your gum line will be painful and may produce a small amount
of bleeding at the gum line. As a result, I don't recommend whitening
your teeth until these issues are under control with your Dentist. What
is interesting however, is that reports have shown that Hydrogen
Peroxide can kill the bacteria which causes Gingivitis, possibly
preventing further damage.
What are the Risks with Teeth Whitening?
Whitening treatments are generally safe, however, some of the potential complications of these treatments include:
GUM IRRITATION:
Whitening gel that comes in contact with gum tissue during the
treatment may cause inflammation and/or blanching or whitening of the
gums, gum line or inside lips. This is due to inadvertent exposure of
small areas of those tissues to the whitening gel. The inflammation
and/or whitening of gums is transient, meaning it does not last, and any
colour change of the gum tissue will reverse within two hours, usually
within 10-30 minutes. Persons with a history of mouth ulcers may develop
temporary mouth ulcers which usually disappear within a few days after
treatment.
TOOTH SENSITIVITY: Although more common with the
in-Office Dentist Treatments using very strong bleaching gels, some
people can experience some tooth sensitivity for a period after the
whitening treatment. People with existing sensitivity, recently cracked
teeth, micro-cracks, open cavities, leaking fillings, or other dental
conditions that cause sensitivity may find that those conditions
increase or prolong tooth sensitivity after a cosmetic teeth whitening
treatment.
SPOTS OR STREAKS: Some people may develop white
spots or streaks on their teeth due to calcium deposits that naturally
occur in teeth. These usually diminish within 24 hours.
RELAPSE:
After a cosmetic teeth whitening treatment, it is natural for teeth
colour to regress somewhat over time. This is natural and should be very
gradual, but it can be accelerated by exposing your teeth to various
staining agents, such as coffee, tea, tobacco, red wine, etc. You should
not eat or drink anything except water during the first 60 minutes
after a teeth whitening treatment, and avoid tooth staining agents for
24 hours after (eat and drink white or clear coloured foods during this
time).The results of a Hydrogen Peroxide based tooth bleaching treatment
are not intended to be permanent, and can last up to 2 years when using
professional strength treatments. Secondary, repeat, or touch-up
treatments may be needed to achieve or maintain the colour you desire
for your teeth.
How do I achieve best teeth whitening results?
Before
answering this question, you should be thinking of the tooth whitening
results from a single treatment, as a trade-off against the potential
side-effects of a single treatment. The best answer is balance! Balance
the potential results with the potential risk of side-effects. The
highest concentrations of Hydrogen Peroxide produce the best results in
the shortest time, but also have the highest potential side-effects. My
recommendation is middle of the road - not the strongest, and not the
weakest to get a happy balance of results and risk.
Before you
undertake a professional teeth whitening treatment, have your teeth
cleaned professionally. At least in the smile area, which is the upper
and lower 8-10 front teeth. REMEMBER, teeth are opaque so cleaning the
BACK of the teeth is very important to the overall whitening results you
will achieve. A Dental Cleaning will remove any excess materials stuck
to the outside of your teeth and permit the Hydrogen Peroxide to work
best at bleaching your natural teeth, evenly.
Use a professional
strength teeth whitening gel. Many Pharmacies, TV Ads and Internet
companies promote teeth whitening products which use 3% or 6% Hydrogen
Peroxide concentration. These just don't work well at whitening teeth,
and any effect they have takes a LONG time to achieve. The comparative
cost difference is not that great between these low-end products and
products of professional strength, but the time and effort required is. I
recommend 12% Hydrogen Peroxide if available in your area, unless you
are using a whitening treatment with a professional accelerator light
which can use 35% Carbamide Peroxide. Of course the Dentist in-Office
power whitening treatments generally use gel much stronger than 12%, but
beware of the potential side effects.
Remember, if your teeth
aren't as white as you would like after the first treatment, you can
always allow some time to monitor your gums and teeth for any
side-effects, then take an additional treatment(s). Provided the product
you are using is not too expensive, this is the best and safest way to
achieve optimal teeth whitening results.
How long does Teeth Whitening last?
This depends on the product you use to whiten your teeth, and the lifestyle you lead.
If
you are a smoker, or regularly drink red wine or use any other heavily
coloured substances regularly, your whiter teeth will become stained
again more quickly.
There is no absolute answer to this question,
but in general, if you use a professional teeth whitening product for
the full treatment as recommended, you may be able to keep the whiter
teeth for up to 2 years if you are conscious of what you eat and drink,
and maintain your teeth and oral health properly.
Most people are
not saints and lead lives where they enjoy red wine or a curry etc.
That's fine, but if you want to keep your whiter teeth you should brush
them 60 minutes after you have consumed the food or drink. Research
suggests you should not brush immediately after eating because the acid
formed in your mouth when eating makes the tooth enamel softer and
abrasive brushing of the teeth during this period can be detrimental.
I
also recommend the use of Teeth Whitening Pens. They apply a thin layer
of Hydrogen Peroxide to the teeth, at any time or place, and will
bleach any staining close to the tooth surface (if the concentration is
strong enough). Whitening Pens active ingredient only works for 30 to 60
seconds on the teeth because saliva washes it away, so choose a
Whitening Pen which uses Hydrogen Peroxide (not Carbamide) and is
professional strength gel. Whitening Pens are generally not suitable for
removing deeper stains.
I have tooth sensitivity problems, can I still whiten my teeth?
Yes,
and you have several options. You could use a desensitizing tooth paste
for approximately 1 month prior to whitening your teeth and if
sensitivity is reduced, you can use any product. But be aware that your
sensitivity will likely increase again during or after the treatment, so
I suggest choosing a mid strength whitening gel where you can remove it
quickly if discomfort gets unbearable.
The other option is a low
strength whitening gel. This will work over a longer period of time, but
sometimes also increases sensitivity because of the amount of time
required on the teeth to get a good result.
Probably the best
option, in my opinion, is a Teeth Whitening Pen of at least 12% Hydrogen
Peroxide concentration. Because you can paint the gel onto specific
teeth and because the gel is washed away by saliva in less than a
minute, this may produce the best results, with the least discomfort.
What should I do immediately after I whiten my teeth?
- Rinse the gel from your teeth and mouth without swallowing.
- Brush your teeth within 60 minutes using a tooth paste containing Fluoride to help seal the teeth
- Don't eat or drink colored foods, or smoke for at least 60 minutes
- If you have tooth sensitivity, use a desensitizing tooth paste
- If you have tingling in your gums, purchase from the Pharmacy a
preparation designed to soothe gums. This will help to prevent mouth
ulcers forming (if you are predisposed) and decrease the discomfort and
duration of any potential gum irritation.
The simple rule to the best Teeth Whitening results
Concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide (Strength) + Time on the teeth (Time) = Results (Effectiveness)
When factoring in Time, you should also consider the consequences of time:
- More effort, meaning you may not complete the full treatment
- More inconvenience
- Enough active ingredient to chemically react over that time period.
That is to say, just leaving any whitening gel on your teeth for 24
consecutive hours won't help because the Hydrogen Peroxide normally is
fully reacted and spent within 20 minutes.
- Longer exposure of the mouthguard to the gums. Friction of the mouthguard can often cause gum irritation
- Longer exposure of the bleaching gel to the gums. Once again, the risk of gum irritation.
- Remember, there are limits to the whiteness achievable with natural
teeth and these will vary with your tooth genetics, your lifestyle and
the state of your teeth at the time of whitening.
