One of the simplest and easiest ways to take years off of your appearance and improve the look of your smile is professional teeth whitening. These in-office treatments work quickly and safely to dramatically whiten, brighten, and even the appearance of the smile — even after just a single treatment.
Types of Stains and How They Respond to Teeth Whitening
There are two basic categories of teeth stains:
Extrinsic Stains
Extrinsic stains are surface-level discolorations on the tooth enamel caused by external staining agents such as:
Highly pigmented foods and drinks (coffee, tea, dark-colored sodas, red wine, curry, berries, dark chocolate, or soy sauce)
Tobacco (smoking, chewing, and smokeless tobacco)
Chromogenic bacteria
Poor oral hygiene
These types of stains often appear yellow, brown, or green in color. They respond well to professional teeth cleaning with polishing and whitening treatments.
Intrinsic Stains
Intrinsic stains, on the other hand, develop inside the tooth and affect the dentin layer, which can be seen through the tooth enamel (the outermost layer of the teeth). These issues can then cause tooth discoloration. A variety of circumstances can lead to intrinsic tooth discoloration, such as:
Certain medications (like blood pressure medications, antihistamines, and antibiotics taken in childhood)
Fluorosis (a condition that occurs as a result of having too much fluoride while teeth are developing in childhood)
Internal tooth decay or infection
Trauma (causing nerve damage or internal bleeding)
Aging (as enamel thins, the tooth’s darker dentin becomes increasingly visible)
Genetically inherited conditions
Intrinsic tooth discoloration can appear yellow, gray, brown, or like white spots. Unlike extrinsic stains, these types of discoloration do not typically respond well to whitening treatments. Instead, dentists typically recommend other cosmetic approaches to correcting the discoloration, such as dental bonding, dental crowns, or dental veneers.
Differences Between Professional and Store-Bought Products
There are several differences between over-the-counter teeth whitening products and professional teeth whitening treatments.
Strength - Compared to store-bought products, professional whitening treatments contain medical-grade concentrations of whitening agents, like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
Results - Professional treatments deliver results fast, with several shades of whitening being accomplished in a single session. Over-the-counter products often require weeks or months before you will notice a difference.
Safety - Professional teeth whitening treatments are administered and monitored by professionals using safe whitening agents and tools. With over-the-counter products, you don’t always know exactly what you’re getting. In some cases, these products could be harmful to your tooth enamel or result in gum irritation if they are not correctly applied.
Customization - Administered by dentists, professional teeth whitening treatments can be customized to help you achieve the exact level of whitening you desire. Additionally, they are applied using custom-made whitening trays. Store-bought products cannot be as easily customized, and the tools they come with are one-size-fits-all.
Cost - Professional whitening comes with a higher upfront cost, while over-the-counter products are typically much less expensive. That being said, store-bought whitening products usually require repeat purchases to achieve the desired results.
Comfort - Professional whitening comes with treatments to ensure the patient’s comfort during care and to mitigate whitening-related sensitivity after treatments.
Dental Work - Whitening treatments (over-the-counter or professional) do not work on discolored dental prosthetics such as porcelain or composite crowns, veneers, bridges, dentures, or implants. Professional treatments can be administered so that they whiten teeth to match neighboring dental work for even results.
Professional teeth whitening is typically recommended for achieving the results you want quickly, while over-the-counter products (such as whitening toothpaste) approved by the American Dental Association are typically recommended for maintenance in between professional treatments.
Risks of Overuse and Sensitivity
With over-the-counter products, patients are at an increased risk of overuse and unpleasant symptoms that can occur as a result. Using whitening products too frequently can cause tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. It can also lead to permanent issues as a result of enamel erosion.
Use only products approved by the American Dental Association, always carefully follow manufacturer instructions on whitening products, and be sure to check with your dentist before adding a new whitening product to your routine.
How to Maintain a Brighter Smile After Whitening
To maintain a brighter smile after whitening, we recommend:
Practicing good oral hygiene to remove plaque from the surfaces of the teeth on a daily basis
Visiting the dentist for professional cleanings at least every six months
Avoiding highly pigmented foods and drinks
Using a straw when drinking highly pigmented beverages
Rinsing your mouth with water after eating highly pigmented foods
Refraining from all kinds of tobacco use
Staying hydrated to support saliva flow
Professional Teeth Whitening at Janis Dental
At Janis Dental, we’re happy to offer our patients professional teeth whitening treatments, administered and monitored in our office for safe, effective, comfortable, and customized results. To find out more about what’s possible with professional teeth whitening and whether or not it’s the right cosmetic dental service for you, we invite you to explore this article, our teeth whitening service page, and to contact our office to request an appointment.