Basically…

The bare bones of teeth whitening come down to the difference in teeth whitening and teeth bleaching. Teeth whitening is the process of removing dirt and debris from the miniscule cracks and pores of the teeth to make them look cleaner and therefore whiter. Teeth bleaching is the process of using peroxide or actual bleach to seep into the enamel of the tooth and brightening the layer underneath that has turned yellow or brown in color. Teeth whitening products may contain peroxide or bleach, but they are still not considered teeth bleaching products.

Teeth Bleaching

Teeth bleaching is the more popular of the two forms of whitening processes for teeth. The more expensive teeth bleaching is done at a dentist’s office, while less expensive bleaching kits are found in stores and done at home. Bleaching at the dentist’s office is more expensive because the solution used in the process is anywhere from 15 to 35% hydrogen peroxide and the process is boosted by using a laser or other specialized light. The color change is immediate and very noticeable.

The at-home teeth bleaching kits usually include either pre-filled or customizable mouth trays that hold gel or other whitening solutions. The trays are put on the mouth for a certain amount of time, usually two to three times a week. Other at-home systems use brush on gel or strips to place on the teeth. All of these are much cheaper than dentist chair procedures. Risks of teeth bleaching include increased sensitivity to temperature, pressure and touch, irritated gums, and multicolored teeth (when dental work does not get whiter along with the natural ones). Products are available to help deal with the sensitivity issues including desensitisers and reminerlisation products.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening often most often comes in the form of whitening toothpastes or mouth washes. These products are meant to remove the debris and dirt from the tiny cracks and crevices of the teeth, making them appear whiter and brighter after their use. Whitening tooth pastes and mouth washes are often quite cheap compared to at home teeth bleaching kits and dentist chair procedures, making them very friendly on a budget. What is considered a disadvantage is that teeth whitening products often take six plus weeks before a result can be seen.

There are a few risks associated with teeth whitening products as well, and these are basically the same as the ones for teeth bleaching. It is important to discontinue use if an extreme reaction occurs to either teeth whitening or bleaching products.

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How It Is Done

The target of whitening solutions and techniques is the dentin, which is the layer underneath the enamel of the tooth. Whitening solutions seep through the pores of the enamel to whiten the dentin. The solution used in teeth whitening systems are usually made of either bleach or a peroxide solution, and come in different strengths depending on how much you want to pay or where you get it done (home or at the dentist’s office). The solution is usually placed in mouth trays that form to the person’s teeth and are left on for a period of time.

The Risks

Risks of tooth whitening include sensitivity, gum irritation, and uneven-colored teeth. Sensitivity to temperature, pressure or touch is usually due to the opening of enamel pores during whitening, allowing substances to get to the dentin and hurting the teeth more than before the whitening. Gum irritation is due to the harsh chemicals found in teeth whitening solutions and sometimes the trays themselves. Uneven-colored teeth occurs when a person has restorative dental work such as porcelain veneers or caps and the natural teeth whiten but the restorative treatments do not.

Who Shouldn’t Whiten?

Unless you have several hundred dollars to replace your current restorative dental work with whiter work that matches your newly whitened teeth, it is suggested that those with things like bondings, porcelain veneer, and caps do not use whitening products because it will make restorative treatment stand out in a way that may be unpleasing to the eye. If your teeth are stained a brown or gray color, the chances of your whitening procedure working are much lower than if your teeth are simply yellow. If you are pregnant or nursing, you are not recommended to use whitening trays or techniques due to safety reasons, and if your teeth are extremely sensitive you may want to avoid whitening as well. There are however, products available to help deal with the sensitivity issues including desensitisers and reminerlisation products.

Your Options

There are several different options for teeth whitening systems that are available on the market aside from going to your dentist. These at-home treatments are much less expensive than going to the dentist, making them very popular. There are pre-filled mouth trays that are not molded to your tooth shape, “boil and bite” mouth trays that are reused and formed to your mouth after boiling them to make sure they are soft. Full tray systems, brush on gels, and whitening strips are also available that do not require mouth trays.

There are a lot of people who have sensivities to hot and cold foods as well as cold air. This can be painful. If you use a professional grade whitener on sensitive teeth, it can cause even more damage by irritating the gum line around the teeth. There are a few whitening treatments that include a remineralizing product that actually fills in the tiny, microscopic crevasses and pits that occur from normal eating. This helps to desensitize the teeth making eating hot and cold foods easier.

Before beginning any whitening treatments it is recommended that you visit your dentist to make sure there is no gum disease present. Gum disease can sometime allow the teeth to loosen and become abscessed. Using whitening products with gum disease can cause serious problems. The gums can become irritated making the abscess worse and spreading the infection through your body. This would require medical attention in order to correct the problem.

One of the most important things you should discuss with your dentist is whether your teeth are healthy enough to begin whitening treatments. If there are any small decays that may be present between teeth it can cause excruciating pain and possible infection. There are a number of gum diseases that can go undetected by someone who is not familiar with dental diseases. If your dentist determines that your teeth are healthy enough to begin whitening treatments and that there is no gum disease you should determine which method of treatments you would like to try.

Whitening treatments come in a number of different types such as all tray whiteners, plasma lights, strips and pens as well as toothpastes and mouth rinses. The type you choose will determine the cost of your treatments and possible even the effects of the whiteners on your teeth. Some of these whiteners takes longer before you actually see their effects while others are more visible in a short period of time. The ones that take a short period of time have a higher percentage of peroxide in them; this can range between 12% and 44%. Of course 44% is a professional grade of whitener while the lesser is an over-the-counter grade. The strength of your whitening treatments will be determined by the color of your natural teeth.

Some of the advantages to whitening your teeth at home are:

• Convenient
• Less time consuming
• Cheaper
• Puts you in control of your oral health
• Sets good example for children

These all sound like nonsense advantages but to many people they are a primary concern when deciding whether to whiten at home of the dentists. It is convenient because you can do it while you are performing other tasks. A dentist whitening usually takes on average 90 minutes. Most home whitening systems can be done in 30 minutes or less or over night while you are sleeping. You will pay from $600 to $1000 for a dentist to whiten your teeth and it must be repeated periodically. Home whitening systems can cost as little as $50 making them much more economical than paying for a dentist to do it. While you are whitening your teeth at home, you are also taking control of your oral health and setting a good example for your children. Many children do not like to brush their teeth but if they see their parents not only brushing but whitening as well, it can encourage them to follow suit.

A dentist whitening takes a little more time than home whitening but you see instant results when a dentist does it. Home systems can take time before you see results because they work gradually and do not contain the amount of peroxide that is used in a dentist’s office. When you visit your dentist, they take control of your oral health and recommend solutions to dental problems that may be present that you are unaware of. Many people do not realize they have a gum disease which can be aggravated by home whitening products. Some dental problems may get worse with home whitening products so you should at least mention your intentions to your dentist.

If you want a professional looking whitening job that is done at home, you may consider using some of the Whiter Smile Exclusive products that are available. These products are a wide range of whitening products that give your professional results at home in just a few short days. They are appropriate for removing stains such as tobacco, coffee, tetracycline, aging food, coloring and genetic stains. They are designed to strengthen the enamel that your teeth naturally have, remineralized the teeth’s microscopic defects and help revitalize the enamel after the whitening process. Some of the products are gentle enough to use over night for whitening while you sleep. The Whiter Smile Exclusive products even include a whitening light for use with the whitening gels. It is said to increase the effectiveness of the whitening gel up to 300%.