Out of curiosity, have you ever asked the question
why teeth get dark? Or have you even pondered on the
possible answers to this simple query?
Tooth discoloration should not be taken lightly though
the case should really lighten to brighten up a smile.
There are many reasons why teeth get stained. The
most typical reasons vary from factors written below:
1. heredity
2. consumption of staining substances (such as tea,
coffee, and colas)
3. excessive fluoride and use of abrasives (which
only expose dentin and causes severe discoloration)*
4. tetracycline (antibiotic) staining
5. old fillings
6. aging
Toothpastes that have whitening agents can minimize
the stain that is on the surface of the teeth. The
case is also coined by dentists as extrinsic staining.
However, professional dental cleanings and whitening
toothpastes will not change the intrinsic staining
of the teeth, if used appropriately. This is the main
reason why tooth bleaching or tooth whitening is so
popular.
Normally, teeth whitening remedies are categorized
into two:
1. Professional whitening systems
This is usually performed by dentists using whitening
gels and lasers to activate the solution. This is
normally done inside a dental clinic.
2. Home-based teeth whitening remedy
This could either be done in-between appointments
of professional treatments using whitening kits and
tray-based whitening techniques or are just home-made
remedies from kitchen and medicine items. These applications
are usually done at home and according to the frequency
suggested by dentists and/or by a product’s instructions.
Just how is tray-based teeth whitening technique employed
to the patient? Read on the following four-step procedure:
1. A whitening gel is poured all over a tray that
just fits over the teeth of the patient.
2. The active ingredient inside the gel, carbamide
peroxide will be broken down sp that oxygen can enter
the enamel to bleach the discolored areas.
3. By this, the physical structure of each tooth is
not actually transformed. Crowns, fillings, and Bonding
will not lighten but the colored substances will.
4. Casts or impressions of the tray are customized
by dentists. The accuracy of the trays is critical
to the treatment
Below are follow-up questions most patients are curious
about tray teeth whitening method.
How safe is the method?
Most dentists agree that tray bleaching or whitening
is relatively safe, fast, provides easy ways to lighten
teeth between two and five shades in a matter of few
days.
How is this different from other professional whitening
systems?
Below is a list of some professional whitening products
dentists in choosing items for their professional
whitening system. The kind of bleaching laser or light
is enclosed in parentheses.
1. BriteSmile (gas plasma light/light emitting diode)
2. LaserSmile (a Biolase laser)
3. LumaArch (halogen light)
4. Rembrandt Sapphire (plasma arc light)
5. Zoom! (metal halide light)
Generally, laser treatment is done by applying a
35% Hydrogen Peroxide gel-based solution on the teeth
of the patient. After applying the solution on the
surface of the teeth, a light is held several inches
away from the patient’s mouth to activate the peroxide
component of the gel. There are manufacturers and
dentists who advertise that this method works better
than tray whitening method. There are no actual data
completed to support their claims.
Actually, after a year of usual lifestyle habits
(drinking tea, colas, coffee, smoking, etc.) treatments
using laser-accompanied whitening gel are disregarded.
This will cost you another $ 500 or more to have the
same treatment again.
However, with the custom-made “mouthpieces”, you
can have your usual lifestyle habits for a year and
perform touch-ups one day roughly alternately every
3-6 months to take off the new stain inexpensively.
