Teeth whitening, which is also called teeth bleaching, is a procedure performed by a cosmetic dentist in which the discoloration of the patient’s teeth is lightened by several shades. Teeth whitening does not mean that it will turn the teeth pearly white, it just lightens the teeth about 5 to 15 shades lighter. It is a form of cosmetic dentistry that provides an efficient and cost-effective way to whiten our teeth. Teeth whitening is not restricted by age or gender. It can be done on everyone who does not have any other teeth problems at the moment. It shows the best results in people who have yellowish discoloration of the teeth. Reasons To Get Teeth Whitening When a person eats food and drinks a lot of soft drinks, tea, or coffee almost every day, their teeth start to discolor and may appear as yellowish or brownish-black patches on the surfaces of the tooth. The patient is concerned about the esthetics and then approaches the dentist to get teeth whitening. Staining can occur because of extrinsic or intrinsic causes. 1. Intrinsic causes: These are the factors that are present inside the oral cavity or in the systemic system. These intrinsic causes are: Age of the patient: As a person starts to age, the outer layer starts to wear off due to several reasons, including tooth brushing or chemicals produced. The underlying yellow dentin is exposed, giving the tooth its yellowish hue. Physical injury or trauma: If during the childhood of the person, they experience any kind of trauma or injury during tooth development, the formation of the outer layer of the tooth is disturbed or is halted completely. This then also shows in the permanent teeth. Genetics: Be it any condition, genetics always plays a role in it. Here also, it is an important factor that plays a role in the color of the teeth. Some of us are born with brighter and stronger enamel, while some of us are not. Medications: The most contraindicated medicines that should not be given to children whose teeth are still in the developmental phase are tetracycline and doxycycline. This is because, if taken, a brown discoloration line forms in the middle of the tooth surface, which is not esthetically pleasing. Medical conditions: There are a few diseases that lead to the discoloration of the teeth. Treatments of some diseases can also be the cause of discoloration of the teeth, which is mostly due to chemotherapy in cancer patients and also by routine radiographs. 2. Extrinsic causes: These are the agents or factors that directly act on the outer surface of the tooth. They include: Food and drinks: Coffee, tea, soft drinks, red wine, and this also includes some vegetables as well as fruits that are also a source of discoloration of the teeth. Smoking and other forms of tobacco usage: Tar and nicotine that are present in substances containing tobacco can and will stain the teeth whenever they are frequently used. Tar is a brownish-black substance and directly stains the tooth, while nicotine, when it comes into contact with moisture in the air, then stains the teeth yellow. Poor oral hygiene: This is another reason for the discoloration of teeth. Teeth whitening is done when tooth brushing and regular flossing are not done properly. This leads to the accumulation of soft plaque deposits around the teeth, which can then calcify into hard deposits known as calculus.

The Procedure For Teeth Whitening There are many steps so that the yellowish discoloration of the teeth can be removed and a brighter and much healthier smile can be achieved. They are described as follows: In-Office Teeth Whitening Procedure This procedure is done by a well-trained professional dentist and is carried out in the dental office. The procedure is not painful, nor does it present any kind of discomfort to the patient. The treatment procedure is so soothing that the patient remains relaxed during the whole process and also dozes off. The steps that are included in this treatment are as follows: Step 1 (Examination) During this step, the dentist generally examines the teeth of the patient to assess how much discoloration is present. This is done by using a cheek retractor to expose the front teeth that are seen whenever a person smiles. Step 2 (Preparation of the patient) After examination, the patient is prepared to correctly carry out the procedure. Firstly, the patient is comfortably seated on the dental chair, and the chair is slightly reclined. The tray is set, and all the instruments and materials to be used are placed. Then a rubber dam or separator is placed, or a hardened resin can also be painted over the surface of the gums so that they are not irritated during the procedure. Step 3 (Application) After everything is set and in place, the tooth whitening agent that mostly contains hydrogen peroxide is used nowadays. This is then applied over the surface of the anterior or front teeth and is left there for about fifteen to thirty minutes. Some dentists prefer to use intense light, which is usually used to speed up the process. But there are concerns as to whether this light therapy is effective or not. Step 4 (Mid evaluation and finishing of the procedure) When a teeth whitening agent is applied, it should be checked after every application to see if the tooth has properly absorbed the agent or if more coating of the agent is required. After the procedure is completed, the retractors are removed, and the patient is asked to rinse his mouth. The shade is then measured with the teeth whitening dental charts to see how effective it was.

FAQs Does In-Office Teeth Whitening Work? Yes, in-office teeth whitening does work. This depends on the peroxide amounts, which range from 15 to 43 percent. The longer the peroxide stays on the tooth, the whiter it is. Do Over The Counter Teeth Whiteners Work? Yes, over-the-counter teeth whitening does work, but the process is slow as it shows the result equal to that of professional teeth whitening after several messy attempts at home. Is Teeth Whitening Bad For Your Teeth? As long as we stick to dentist-approved methods, whitening our teeth is considered safe. We should make sure to use the method that fits our needs and always follow the directions for the product.