Teeth Whitening & Oral Health Blog

The terms “teeth whitening” and “teeth bleaching” are often used interchangeably, but there are actually great differences between teeth whitening and teeth bleaching procedures and products. It is important to keep these differences in mind when deciding which bleaching or whitening product to invest in, and consider the risks and advantages of each before choosing. The differences between teeth whitening and teeth bleaching products include how they work, how long it takes them to work, and the risks that come with each. Knowledge is power when it comes to proactively doing something about yellowed or dull looking teeth.

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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Many people worry about their sensitive teeth when it comes to whitening them. They worry that the process will remove enamel making their already sensitive teeth hurt even more. There is a way to help ease the sensitivity of your teeth if you have been putting off whitening your teeth because of it. It is called the process of remineralizing your teeth. This is actually recommended for anyone who has sensitive teeth but a real necessity for those who actually go through a bleaching process.

You should first of all know that all bleaching gels cause some degree of sensitivity. Some people have come to expect the discomfort that comes with whitening their teeth and are have even resolved their self to deal with it due to the benefits of the whitening process. Some dentists will recommend treatments for sensitivity or a remineralization of the teeth. This is the process of restoring the minerals that our teeth contain after bleaching has taken place. You can manage this in several different ways such as toothpastes, pre-filled trays and gels.

The process by which our teeth become remineralized is this:

• Foods that we eat deposit minerals in our system which in turn is present in our saliva. By not eating a proper diet or not chewing our food sufficiently we may end up with mineral poor saliva.
• Carbonic acid is needed for strong teeth. There is only a miniscule fraction of the carbon dioxide that we breathe that is converted into carbonic acid.
• This carbonic acid molecule has to be produced in close proximity to a mineral molecule that is then dissolved into the carbonic acid molecule.
• This all has to happen in close proximity to a demineralized spot in the latticework of the tooth that requires the mineral.
• This spot on the tooth has to be clean so that it is accessible by the mineral.
• The carbonic acid must finally convert to carbon dioxide and water where a mineral is precipitated out of the solution and into the structure of the enamel.

By using remineralization to help rebuild the enamel on your teeth, you can whiten your teeth without worrying about the sensitivity that occurs with whitening.

Toothpastes that help rebuild tooth enamel should be used throughout the whitening process. This is effective only if you are using bleach on your teeth. Most whitening toothpastes do not use bleach so there is no fear of demineralizing your teeth with whitening pastes. Pre-filled trays that are used for remineralizing your teeth should be used either before or after the whitening and in some instances both before and after depending on the extent of the sensitivity. Gels can be used with the same custom trays that are used for whitening teeth. They are usually used for a period of 30 minutes before or after whitening or both. It is highly advisable to begin remineralizing your teeth if you are bleaching your teeth to help desensitize your teeth.