Taking the perfect selfie for social media has become an integral part of our lives, and sparkling white teeth are a must for that.
Although teeth whitening is a modern trend, the procedure dates back to ancient Egypt. Egyptians made whitening pastes from volcanic stone powder mixed with alcoholic vinegar. For them, white teeth were a symbol of beauty and high social status.
Today, teeth whitening is the most sought-after cosmetic procedure in dentistry. However, our patients often have concerns, such as whether the treatment is harmful or how long the results will last. That’s why in this blog, we’ll explain how we make your teeth whiter and debunk the most common myths about teeth whitening!
How do we achieve the whitening effect?
Poor oral hygiene, smoking, excessive consumption of coffee, tea, and red wine, certain medications, and aging are all factors that can cause your teeth to become discolored or darker. During the whitening treatment in our clinic, we use Opalescence gel. This gel is packed in two syringes, one containing hydrogen peroxide, the whitening agent, and the other containing fluoride and other ingredients that strengthen enamel, reduce the risk of cavities, and alleviate tooth sensitivity.
After mixing the two gels, we apply them to the teeth and leave them to work for twenty minutes. During this time, oxygen molecules from the hydrogen peroxide penetrate the tooth structure and “break down” the pigments that cause discoloration. After the first session, we apply the gel again in one or two more sessions to achieve better results.
The most common question we get from our patients is whether teeth whitening is harmful. Whitening agents cause minimal changes to the enamel surface, which is why strengthening ingredients are added. If done once a year or less frequently, teeth whitening will not harm the teeth, as the changes that occur are entirely reversible.
To better illustrate the potential harm of whitening, we will refer to a study conducted by scientists from the University of Rochester in England. They compared the effects of whitening and orange juice consumption on enamel. After five days of exposing teeth to whitening agents and orange juice for 20 minutes each day, they found that orange juice softened enamel surfaces by 85%, while whitening agents caused only a 5% effect. This proves that whitening is entirely safe if done moderately and with appropriate time intervals.
The myths patients often believe are mainly the result of inadequate sources of information. To ensure this treatment is right for you, it is always best to consult a dentist about the expected results and any side effects that you might be concerned about.
Here are the most common myths we encounter:
- My teeth will forever look like this after whitening. Unfortunately, the color achieved immediately after treatment won’t last forever. This is entirely individual and depends on the tooth structure and lifestyle habits that cause discoloration, which we already mentioned.
- All whitening products give the same results. We always advise our patients not to whiten their teeth on their own using products bought online without professional supervision. In our clinic, we also offer at-home whitening, but we do this using custom-made trays that fit your teeth perfectly as well as lower-concentration whitening gel. This whitening method achieves excellent results because the treatment isn’t time-limited; you can wear the trays for several hours a day until you reach your desired outcome.
- I’m afraid my teeth will become overly sensitive after the treatment. Some whitening agents can cause increased sensitivity, therefore, if you feel any discomfort, we stop the treatment and continue with a lower-concentration whitening agent for home use. Additionally, after each whitening session with a patient, we apply GC Tooth Mousse, a special paste that restores enamel and reduces sensitivity.
- All my teeth will whiten evenly. If you have large fillings, fillings on the front teeth, crowns, or bridges, their color will not change. Fillings will need to be replaced to match the new shade of your teeth, and we recommend replacing them two weeks after the treatment.
- There’s no reason why I couldn’t whiten my teeth. We don’t recommend whitening for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, or individuals with severe health conditions. Likewise, for individuals with untreated teeth, gum diseases, or poor oral hygiene, we first recommend addressing these issues.
Teeth whitening will undoubtedly boost your confidence and may even encourage you to take better care of your overall oral health! What we can say is that clean and healthy mouth are a beautiful mouth, and white teeth are just the cherry on top.
At Nova Dental Clinic, we’re offering a 20% discount on in-office whitening treatments until the end of summer! Visit us to brighten your teeth and take the perfect selfie together!
