Teeth Whitening

Nowadays, many people are concerned about having a healthy and white smile. People argue that their teeth should be white because they want them to be healthier, according to social aesthetic perception. For this reason, teeth whitening applications have been in high demand in recent years. In order to receive a correct and effective treatment for teeth whitening, it is necessary to pay attention to certain issues. It is also essential to consider individual differences, procedure requirements, and surgeon experience before treatment.

What is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth may undergo certain color changes in daily life, turning yellow and dark for many different reasons. Since this situation causes an undesirable appearance on the teeth, teeth whitening procedures are also becoming popular. Applications that enable teeth to look aesthetically beautiful and healthy and make the tooth color closest to white are called teeth whitening procedures.

Teeth whitening is a process that is mostly performed in clinics with professional techniques, but it can also be performed with toothpastes and various chemicals provided. At this point, each method has its own various application effectiveness and effects. For this reason, the recommended teeth whitening application for each patient will vary.

Why Do Teeth Turn Yellow?

Recently, the issue of why teeth turn yellow along with irregular eating habits has been frequently investigated. Teeth can lose their natural color in different ways and cause aesthetic concerns in people. This process is generally seen as nutritionally driven.

Frequent use of substances containing bad chemicals such as coffee, tea, food coloring and cigarettes are among the most important reasons that cause yellowing of teeth. These elements cause the teeth to turn yellow and darken in a short time. In case of tooth color changes that occur due to these reasons, it would be wiser to choose techniques that directly target the tooth surface.

In addition, elements that develop inside the tooth enamel and cause damage can also cause yellowing or darkening of the teeth due to health problems. Febrile diseases, medication use, dental trauma, infections and caries, especially in childhood, can cause yellowing in the future.

Which Options Can Be Preferred in Teeth Whitening Procedures?

Which option to choose in teeth whitening procedures is something that patients and dentists can solve by consulting together. People who are disturbed by the appearance of their teeth can receive a wide range of suggestions from their dentists, from simple applications that they can apply at home to professional procedures. 

Which applications will be preferred in teeth whitening procedures are decided by looking at issues such as tooth color type, severity of yellowing, state of spread, cost of treatment, patient age, diseases and previous treatments. At this point, it is known that teeth whitening may take a long time for patients, including the initial treatment process. For this reason, the dentist and the patient must constantly coordinate during the teeth whitening process and professional techniques must be handled.

What are Professional Teeth Whitening Methods?

Professional teeth whitening methods are procedures handled by dentists in clinics. These processes also require the necessary technical knowledge and technological devices. Today, professional methods used for teeth whitening are divided into two;

Bleaching, one of the most preferred teeth whitening methods of recent times, is performed by the dentist using carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. This procedure is performed by specialist physicians in well-equipped clinics. It is also known that the procedure is mostly used during internal yellowing problems that occur due to health problems. When applied too much, it can also cause wear problems on tooth enamel.

2. Apparatus Application

Another professionally preferred application for teeth whitening is the apparatus application. Dentists give dental appliances coated with a gel containing special substances to patients who consult them for teeth whitening. By using these devices at home for 30 minutes to 1 hour, your teeth will whiten in a short time.

What are the Teeth Whitening Applications Applied at Home?

Nowadays, with alternative medicine methods becoming more widespread, home teeth whitening applications have become popular as well as professional teeth whitening procedures. Techniques that can be applied at home are examined under two different headings;

Toothpastes, which eliminate yellowing caused by factors such as tea, coffee and cigarette consumption, can be effective in a short time because they consist of surface abrasive particles that fight color changes. However, with excessive use of tooth whitening pastes, different dental problems may occur due to wear of tooth enamel.

2. Teeth Whitening Strips

Another professional method used by physicians for teeth whitening is known as teeth whitening strips. These strips, which are applied to the tooth surface once or twice a day, are the key to white teeth for patients when used regularly. Moreover, it is known that these tapes have a low hydrogen peroxide content and must be done professionally.

What are the Side Effects of Teeth Whitening Procedures?

As with every health operation, certain side effects may occur in teeth whitening procedures. At this point, no permanent problems are encountered on the tooth enamel in whitening procedures carried out under the control of experienced dentists. However, products sold on the internet or procedures in under-the-counter clinics may cause various complications. Temporary side effects that you may encounter while whitening your teeth can be listed as follows;

• Water Loss in Teeth

Water loss in teeth usually occurs exactly 1 week after whitening procedures. At this point, dehydration causes the water in the teeth to disappear, causing the teeth to appear more opaque white. However, water loss is one of the temporary side effects and will decrease over time and the teeth will begin to look more transparent and natural.

• Sensitivity in Teeth

It is one of the most common side effects after teeth whitening. Tooth sensitivity, which causes teeth to ache when consumed cold or hot, may last temporarily. However, approximately 24 – 48 hours after the operation, it can be seen that the sensitivity in the teeth disappears completely.

• Soft Tissue Irritation

Soft tissue irritation is a condition where the whitening gel touches the soft tissues in the mouth area and causes sensitivity. This may also cause mild burns to the cheek or lip areas. While irritation, which is a reversible side effect, often heals on its own, gel treatment applied to the areas where burns occur will help the healing process faster. However, if you experience larger burns after whitening, you should definitely see your doctor.

• Decrease in the Hardness of Tooth Enamel

One of the frequently encountered side effects after the whitening process is known as the decrease in the hardness of tooth enamel. While this condition can be treated in a short time, it can also go away on its own. Experts have scientifically proven that if patients continue to use fluoride toothpaste regularly, the hardness of the tooth enamel returns to its original state in a short time.