To Use or Not: Teeth Whitening Uncovered

Teeth whitening may seem like an invention of our modern culture's obsession with perfection, but did you know that the practice is actually 4,000 years old? According to The Seattle Times, ancient Egyptians created a teeth whitening paste made of ground pumice stone and white vinegar. White teeth were a mark of beauty and an indication of wealth.

Even in the more recent past, teeth whitening was still considered to be under the purview of the image conscious elite — actors, models, and TV hosts all flashed their pearly whites and inspired viewers to long for a Vanna White smile.

Fortunately, teeth whitening has come to the masses. If you want the confidence of Cleopatra, you have so many options available now, from at-home paste or kits to professional treatments at your dentist's office. We've gathered expert advice from dentists and dental hygienists to help you sort through the pros, the cons, and myths about teeth whitening.

Pros

Enjoying a brighter and whiter smile

Teeth whitening has the obvious benefits of a brighter and whiter smile, even for those with teeth that are more yellow. Many teeth whitening tools require pens, LED lights, and even charcoal to whiten teeth. Patients can choose to whiten their teeth in the office or at home. Many dentists recommend in office to get a more effective treatment and to ensure that there is no accidental damage to teeth enamel and gums.

Dr. Ron Baise, London Dental

"Tooth whitening is the only effective way of whitening teeth that have age related staining. As you get older, the dentine within your teeth naturally gets darker. This can lead to teeth having a grey look.

Polishing teeth will not get rid of this, as this type of tooth discoloration has little to do with staining on the enamel itself. You can have age related staining without any external stains on the enamel.

Tooth whitening bleaches the enamel, rather than removing stains from it, therefore it will whiten teeth regardless of the source of the staining.

That being said, if your teeth have extrinsic staining, that is external staining of the enamel, a simple polishing from the hygienist can be enough to make your teeth white again. This is cheaper than tooth whitening, and is also less invasive as it does not involve the use of acidic chemicals on teeth."

Dentists can recommend which teeth whitening tools will best benefit your smile.

Looking younger

Having a brighter and whiter smile also helps you look younger. As adults age, their teeth naturally become more yellow. As a result, teeth whitening users typically look younger after whitening their teeth.

Dr. Rhonda Kalasho, Glo Modern Dental

“Teeth whitening keeps your teeth looking youthful, and vibrant. By removing surface staining with teeth whitening, you are essentially making sure the stain does not settle in deeper into the enamel, which make the teeth appear dull and aged. At times, stain settles in too far that whitening gels do not really work as well.”

Dr. Lara T Coseo, Mouthpower.org

"A brighter, whiter smile simply looks more attractive than a dingy or yellowing smile. Because yellowing is a natural part of the aging process, teeth whitening also gives your smile a younger appearance. “

Promoting healthier teeth and gums

Not only does teeth whitening make your smile brighter and whiter, but it also increases health in your teeth and gums.

Dr. Coseo

“In addition to cosmetic benefits, some studies show that the ingredients in teeth whitening gel may promote healthier teeth and gums.

Carbamide peroxide gels are bactericidal, meaning they kill bacteria, and create an effervescence (bubbling) effect that helps dislodge sticky dental plaque. Patients with moderate to severe gum disease typically see an improvement in their disease control by using a 10 percent carbamide peroxide whitening gel in custom-fitted trays overnight."

Dr. Namrita Harchandani, AuthorityDental.org

“Tooth whitening is very safe when done under the supervision of your dentist. It is important to get a dental check up with your dentist before whitening your teeth. If you have underlying cavities, gum disease and sensitive teeth, it's best to address them before whitening."

Feeling more confident

When you can smile without embarrasment, you feel more confident. That confidence will benefit you in all aspects of your life, including in relationships with family and friends and in the workplace.

Dr. Coseo

“It goes without saying that improving one’s appearance can also have an impact on one’s self-esteem and confidence. This, in turn, affects the quality of life, job performance, and improved social interactions.”

Dr Mark Burhenne, AsktheDentist.com

“Many patients come to me for professional teeth whitening treatments because they're getting ready for a job interview, want to be more confident while putting themselves in the dating world, or simply are dissatisfied with the color of their teeth.

The benefits to self-esteem and confidence after teeth whitening are sometimes nothing short of astounding! Often, people fail to take care of their teeth for so long that they didn't fully grasp how much the appearance of their teeth was affecting their feelings about their overall appearance."

Couple Smiling

Cons

Being consistent with maintenance and care

Whether at home or in office, teeth whitening requires constant care and a delicate hand. Not only do you need to be committed when applying the gel or the light, but it takes several months of repetitive measures to get the desired effects.

Dr. Shahrooz Yazdani, Yazdani Family Dentistry

"If you want to maintain your whitened teeth, it's recommended to visit the dentist every six months at a minimum. However, a great way to do so at home is to simply use a quality whitening toothpaste. With that being said, ease it into your toothbrushing routine as each person is different. Even whitening toothpaste can sometimes create sensitivity for some patients."

Worrying about safety of chemicals

Teeth whitening invloves using chemicals and should be done with caution. Check with your dentist if you have concerns.

Dr. Kalasho

“Teeth whitening is a great treatment when done in moderation and under the supervision of a dental provider. The over-the-counter whitening systems are great, and they do lend some substantial whitening treatment that is affordable as well as convenient; however they may not get your teeth as white as you would like. Over-the-counter whitening products are regulated and cannot exceed a certain concentration due to the possibility of ingestion as well as the potential of burning your gums.

When whitening treatment is done by a dental provider in a clinical setting, the gums are covered with barrier to protect them from getting burned, and the lips and tissue are also moved away for the same reason. I recommend professional in office teeth whitening because it is effective, safe, and reliable.”

Dr. Coseo

“Researchers have not been able to confirm the safety of peroxide whitening chemicals for pregnant and nursing mothers, so at this time, we recommend that you do not whiten while pregnant or nursing. As far as safety goes, that is currently the only specific restriction.”

Dealing with sensitive teeth and gums

Sensitive teeth are very common among patients. The gels, pens, and teeth whitening systems can be an irritant to teeth enamel as well as to gums which can cause discomfort or pain.

Dr. Burhenne

“For whitening beyond the stain-removing power of toothpaste, the best options are to get a custom whitening tray from your dentist, or to go to an in-office whitening session where the pros will paint on the whitening solution and carefully avoid your sensitive gum tissue.”

Dr. Coseo

"People with very sensitive teeth may find whitening uncomfortable or painful. It can also aggravate symptoms of dental problems like cavities and cracks. Harsh whitening chemicals have a temporary weakening effect on tooth enamel, so starting with strong healthy teeth is a must.

For this reason, it is a good idea for you to see a dentist before starting any teeth whitening regimen, including an over-the-counter one. If you have sensitive or weak teeth, your dentist can help you strengthen them before whitening, keeping you out of pain and preventing any dental problems. If you know that you have dental problems, you should address them before attempting any type of teeth whitening. This will give you a more predictable and less painful experience."

Dr. Kalasho

"A major side effect is sensitivity and making the enamel more porous. Making sure you combine all your teeth whitening procedures with a high concentration fluoride treatment is incredibly important and can ameliorate teeth sensitivity. "

Myths

Dr. Ali from Aspen Dental reports that "Americans spend nearly $1.3 billion every year on do-it-yourself teeth whitening techniques. The use of at-home teeth whitening kits has recently increased new products and services that have launched this season. But the real question is: do they work? " Dr. Ali identifies three myths you may have heard about whitening your teeth and sets the record straight:

What you've heard. . .	What Dr. Ali wants you to know. . .
Charcoal toothpaste is the best and most natural way to whiten your teeth.	Charcoal toothpaste is abrasive; coarse, grainy, sand-like particles polish the enamel and this in turn gives the teeth a smooth polished finish making them look whiter. However, it is too coarse for everyday use and hurts the gums. Instead, I recommend a whitening toothpaste which has very fine particles that are just enough to polish your teeth without negatively affecting the enamel. Also, charcoal toothpastes lack fluoride which enamel needs daily in order to re-mineralize the tooth surface at a microscopic level.
The strongest at-home whitening gel is the best.	Although a strong gel left on for a prolonged period of time can speed up the whitening process, it can cause pain and tooth sensitivity. With at-home treatments, it’s a good idea to test the gel first and work your way up to the maximum time in order to prevent these issues. However, over-the-counter solutions do not work as well as a visit to your dentist, who has the ability to prescribe a stronger gel and can monitor any issues that arise. If a patient is looking for immediate results, I suggest a good hygiene treatment followed by in-office bleaching treatment which will please those seeking instant gratification.
You can whiten fillings, veneers, and crowns.	If you plan to have veneers or crowns done, its best to whiten your teeth first. Crowns and veneers will not respond to teeth whitening treatments the same way real teeth will.