How do Teeth Whitening Treatments Work?

In recent years, the teeth whitening industry has exploded and now more patients than ever are seeking out home and professional procedures in order to completely reinvent their smile. Although everyone wishes to have bright teeth and a vibrant smile, not all teeth whitening treatments are equal and many may even cause serious damage to the teeth and gums. For individuals that are currently struggling with a smile that has become dingy and discolored, it is necessary to remain aware of some of the causes of tooth discoloration, how whitening treatments work, and which treatment options will be the most effective for their own individual situation.

Over the years, many of the habits that individuals engage in and foods that are eaten every single day will slowly start to stain one's teeth. Everything from a cup of coffee in the morning to a glass of wine at night will transform the appearance of one's teeth. Along with some of these tooth-staining foods, various tobacco products, drugs, and even genetics can result in a dingy smile. There are two primary forms of staining though, and only one can be effectively treated with a basic whitening system.

Intrinsic staining takes place deep within the teeth and can come about because of trauma to the face, diseased pulp, or a family history of slightly darker teeth. This kind of staining cannot generally be lifted with a whitening procedure, and individuals will require the use of various other dental appliances such as dental veneers and dental crowns. Extrinsic staining is much more common and lies just on the outer dentin and enamel layers of the teeth. This type of discoloration will often respond wonderfully to most professional whitening systems and treatments.

A large majority of teeth whitening products are solutions that can be placed directly onto the upper and lower teeth. These solutions are often based on peroxide that will release oxygen molecules deep into the enamel and dentin layers. The molecules will then draw out the stains and brighten the teeth. If care is not taken however, these treatments can cause damage to the enamel as well as the gums, and that is why individuals should only ever seek out professional teeth whitening services.

For some of the most advanced systems, a specialty light is also used in order to activate the solution at a much faster rate. This will allow the appointment to take place in a shorter period of time, reducing the chances that the solution will adversely affect the enamel or the gums in any way.

No one should ever continue to struggle with a discolored smile that they are not satisfied with. More individuals than ever are turning to professional teeth whitening treatments in order to completely transform their smile.

At United Dental Care, our Culver City teeth whitening expert can provide you with various options to bring luster back to your teeth.