WHITENING VS. BLEACHING: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

According to the FDA, the term "bleaching" is permitted to be used only when the teeth can be whitened beyond their natural color. This applies strictly to products that contain bleach – typically hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.

The term "whitening," on the other hand, refers to restoring a tooth's surface color by removing dirt and debris. So, any product that cleans (like toothpaste) is technically considered a whitener. Of course, the term whitening sounds better than bleaching, so it is more frequently used – even when describing products that contain bleach.

WHAT CAUSES TOOTH STAINING?

Starting color: We are all equipped with an inborn tooth color that ranges from yellow-brownish to greenish-grey and intensifies over time. Yellow brown is generally more responsive to whitening than green-grey.

Translucency and thinness: These are also genetic traits that become more pronounced with age. While all teeth show some translucency, those that are opaque and thick have an advantage: they appear lighter in color, show more sparkle and are generally more responsive to whitening. Teeth that are thinner and more transparent – most notably the front teeth – have less of the pigment that is necessary for whitening. According to cosmetic dentists, transparency is the only condition that cannot be corrected by any form of teeth whitening.

Eating habits: The habitual consumption of red wine, coffee, tea, cola, carrots, oranges and other deeply colored beverages and foods causes considerable staining over the years. In addition, acidic foods such as citrus fruits and vinegar contribute to enamel erosion. As a result, the surface becomes more transparent and more of the yellow-colored dentin shows through.

Smoking habits: Nicotine leaves brownish deposits which slowly soak into the tooth structure and cause intrinsic discoloration.

HOW WHITE CAN YOU GO?

While whitening can occasionally lighten tooth color by nine or more shades, most of those who whiten their teeth are likely to see a change of two to seven shades.

TEETH WHITENING RISKS

Teeth whitening treatments are safe when procedures are followed as directed. However, there are certain risks associated with whitening that you should be aware of:

Sensitivity: Although rare with our gentle gel, teeth whitening can cause a temporary increase in sensitivity to temperature, pressure and touch.

Whitening sensitivity usually lasts no longer than a day or two, but in some cases may persist a little longer. We recommend toothpaste for sensitive teeth to reduce sensitivity.

Gum Irritation:

The use of the vitamin e swab is very successful in eliminating gum sensitivity.

Technicolor Teeth:

Restorations such as bonding, dental crowns or porcelain veneers are not affected by bleach and therefore maintain their default color while the surrounding teeth are whitened.

We recommend that the client’s teeth be color checked after the first 20-minute session in these cases, as it may be all that is required to match the restorations.