| What
are the causes of tooth staining and discoloration? |
| How
does bleaching (or whitening) work? |
| What
should I avoid to keep my teeth as naturally white
as possible? |
| What
are the different ways to bleach my teeth? |
| Is
bleaching suitable for everyone? |
| Are
there any side effects to bleaching? |
| What
other whitening products are available? |
| |
| Everybody wants a beautiful,
bright smile - it helps give you confidence and
adds to your overall appearance. Many people hesitate
to smile because their teeth are stained or discolored.
This section provides information about the types
of bleaching products available that whiten teeth
by a chemical process as well as the options available
to best naturally whiten your teeth by removing
stains. |
|
| What are
the causes of tooth staining and discoloration? |
| Tooth staining maybe
caused by eating certain foods and drinks and
using tobacco. These stains are on the surface
of the teeth.
Teeth can also darken as a result of injury,
or from the natural aging process. And, while
it is less common, some prescription medications,
if taken when the teeth are forming, have been
shown to cause staining of the tooth structure
itself. |
|
| How does
bleaching (or whitening) work? |
| Bleaching is a process
of whitening teeth by applying a chemical solution
directly to the teeth. The enamel on the exposed
crown of the tooth is bleached. In addition, removing
stain from the tooth surface can restore the teeth
to their natural whiteness. |
|
| What should
I avoid to keep my teeth as naturally white as possible?
|
| Stains on the
surface of the teeth will reduce the natural whiteness.
Regularly indulging in the following will increase
the risk of staining on your teeth: |
| |
 |
Tobacco |
|
Coffee
and Tea |
|
Red
Wine |
|
Curry |
|
Soy |
|
Fruit
Juices |
|
Cola
drinks |
|
|
| What are
the different ways to bleach my teeth? |
| There are many options
available today for bleaching your teeth. Here
are two options that are administered by your
dentist. |
| |
|
The
dentist applies a bleaching solution directly
to the stained teeth. The applied solution
is activated by heat (alternatively, this
process can be activated by a combination
of heat and light). After the solution is
rinsed off, whiter teeth are revealed. This
process can take about an hour, and six to
eight teeth can be bleached during one appointment. |
|
The
dentist custom-makes a bleaching tray to fit
top and bottom teeth. Under his or her guidance,
you are provided with a bleaching solution
to use at home with the trays. They need to
be worn for about two hours per day (they
can be worn at night) and this process takes
a variable amount of time depending on the
product - ranging from one to six weeks. |
|
| |
| There are also home bleaching
kits available for purchase at retail stores. Some
of them are used in a similar way to the second
option above. These are less expensive because the
bleaching tray is a standard size, not custom-made
to fit your teeth precisely. Other forms of home
bleaching are available. Always ask your dentist
for advice before undertaking any home care treatments. |
|
| Is bleaching
suitable for everyone? |
| Start by speaking
to your dentist. He or she can tell you whether
bleaching procedures would be effective for you.
However, it is possible to bleach teeth that have
undergone root canal treatment or other restorations. |
|
| Are
there any side effects to bleaching? |
| The bleaching solutions
contain peroxides which bleach the tooth enamel.
In some cases, this has been shown to cause sensitivity
or other reactions. If you do choose an at-home
bleaching product, be sure to keep your dentist
informed of what you are doing and contact him or
her immediately if you suffer any adverse symptoms. |
|
| What other
whitening products are available? |
| Other whitening products
include bleaching strips and solutions that are
painted on the teeth. In addition, toothpastes
and toothbrushes work by removing the stains on
the tooth surface, restoring your teeth to their
natural whiteness. |
| |
|
Whitening
toothpastes contain a mild abrasive to help
lift stain from the teeth. And some have
polishing agents that provide further stain
removal. Check with your dentist before
using a whitening toothpaste to ensure that
it is the right product for you.
All toothbrushes will remove some
surface stain from teeth. The advanced
brushing action of the Oral-B
Professional Care Series has been
shown in clinical studies to maintain
the natural color of your teeth better
than an ordinary manual toothbrush
and another leading power toothbrush |
 |
|
| |
| 1
|
Sharma
NC et al, Am J Dent 2000; 13: 17-20 3D Excel
vs Sonicare |
| 2 |
Sharma
NC et al, Am J Dent 2002; 15: 71-76 3D Excel
vs Sonicare
sonicare is a trademark of Philips Oral
Healthcare, Inc. |
|
| |
