Ask The Dental Hygienist

Teeth whitener is a substance designed to remove unsightly stains and plaque from teeth when brushing and other methods of cleaning don’t quite do the trick anymore. The reason this happens is that teeth whiteners are often used when the enamel of teeth is eroded by acidic or unhealthy foods such as sugar, coffee or tea. Bacteria, plaque and tartar are all substances that are treated by teeth whitening. They bond and join with the teeth over time, making it more and more difficult to actually clean them normally. Teeth whitening can have both positive and negative effects on a person’s teeth and overall health.

Teeth whitening is done by either bleaching, laser teeth whitening or by using teeth whitening strips. Lasers are a relatively new form of teeth whitening treatment; basically using the force of a small laser beam to scrape plaque and stains off the teeth. However, lasers can also burn through some tooth enamel if the laser itself is too powerful. Teeth whitener strips work by adhering to the teeth’s surface and simply pulling as much plaque as possible free. Teeth whitener from bleach is another method of teeth whitening. It acts as a chemical catalyst, using a chemical reaction that loosens the bond that plaque develops over teeth over time.

Drawbacks of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitener strips can sometimes leave a film on the teeth similar to what they were meant to get rid of, due to the adhesive. It’s recommended that you brush thoroughly, even after finishing teeth whitener treatment from strips. Bleach whitens teeth beyond their natural ability, and can cause problems of its own. Because it acts as a chemical abrasive, bleach can begin to erode enamel, making teeth more and more vulnerable to bacteria and other antibodies that try to force their way in and thereby erode your teeth as a whole.

Teeth whitener treatments are effective if done properly, but they can also be very expensive. Some of the best teeth whitener treatments are the preventive ones – not eating lots of sugar or drinking too much citric-acid based or carbonated drinks. Both of these have acid and sugar, and increase the need for teeth whitener. Regular dental hygiene, however, is really the best way to prevent the need for teeth whitener.

Teeth whitener is a good way to help your teeth become whiter and remove stains that have built up over time, but they shouldn’t be relied on too much. Teeth whitening can sometimes be cheap or expensive, depending on the extent of the treatment.

The human tooth is a very resilient part of the human body, as they for the most part last our entire lifespan with proper care and cleaning. However, it’s absolutely essential to make sure you do care for your teeth. Otherwise, tooth decay and plaque can set in. No matter how diligently you brush, floss and care for your teeth stains can still occur because of the foods you eat or the beverages you drink. Coffee, tea, and sugar are all well-known foods that cause tooth stains. Teeth bleaching, a form of tooth whitener treatment, can slow or even reverse these stains.

Teeth bleaching is usually done with products or chemicals that react with the plaque, loosening the bond it has developed with the teeth. The reason teeth bleaching is needed is that over time plaque ends up hardening and literally sticking to the teeth, so it almost becomes part of the tooth. Most teeth bleaching products are made of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These react with the plaque to break it free of the teeth so it can be brushed off with a normal toothbrush and flossed away. Plaque building in between the teeth can cause yellowing and decay, and teeth bleaching can reverse this process.

Difference Between Teeth Bleaching and Teeth Whitening

Although many people use the term bleaching to refer to every whitening treatment it doesn’t always apply. There is a legal difference between teeth bleaching and teeth whitening. The FDA’s definition of teeth bleaching is any treatment or chemical that can make teeth whiter than their natural shade. It’s a common treatment to movie stars. On the other hand, teeth whitening is simply the removal of existing plaque and tartar to restore the teeth to their best possible natural condition. Granted, this isn’t going to make as striking a difference as true bleaching would, but it’s still a very noticeable change.

Teeth bleaching operates on the enamel of the teeth. Normally, tooth enamel is the consistency of porcelain, but over time acid from sugar and other foods eat away and the plaque than has the opportunity to get inside your teeth.

If you want to really make yourself have a dazzling smile, you can seek out teeth bleaching as a treatment, but it can be pricy. The best way to avoid having to each this stage is to keep track of what foods you eat, how well you care for your teeth and how often you get a regular cleaning.