Teeth whitening is one of the most common procedures we perform in the dental clinic.
While it is true that it is a fairly safe procedure, we must be well informed of the consequences it may have and perform it in a specialized center that has the latest treatment options.
Before talking about the myths and realities of the treatment, it is important to understand what it consists of.
The tooth structure is formed by different tissues such as enamel and dentin (among others); each of them plays an important role with respect to the color of the tooth. In the case of dentin, it is located below the enamel and is responsible for giving the tooth its color. A dark dentin or with tetracycline stains, for example, will result in a yellow or dark tooth. The dentin also has small tubules that cross the enamel and reach the outside of the tooth. In these tubules accumulate the different pigments of coffee, tea and cigarettes, which also contribute to darkening the teeth. The enamel, on the other hand, is the most superficial tissue of the tooth and as such has no color. It is translucent, so it reflects all the color of the dentin.
When performing a teeth whitening, the product enters those dentinal tubules ¨cleaning¨ the pigments that are inside, which results in a dental whitening.
Below are the most frequent myths and realities when talking about teeth whitening.
MYTHS AND REALITIES OF TEETH WHITENING
MYTH: Teeth whitening wears down my enamel.
Teeth whitening does not damage or wear down the tooth, as long as it is supervised and performed by a professional. The product itself does not have the ability to ̈wear down ̈ the teeth. Sometimes it is much more harmful and damaging to the enamel to try to do homemade whitening at home with highly abrasive products that are capable of damaging the enamel.
REALITY: The duration of the whitening will depend on my habits.
Certainly, the duration and the same is directly related to the care we give it after treatment. Patients whose eating habits include abundant consumption of coffee, tea and red wine, their whitening will last less time than in patients who do not consume them. It is important to follow the instructions in the days after the application of the whitening.
MYTH: My teeth could be very white.
No. Exaggeratedly white teeth do not exist. As we mentioned earlier, the main color of the tooth is given by the dentin, and this is not completely white.
REALITY: There is a disease called BLANCOREXIA
True, and it consists of the obsession with white teeth, which leads patients to perform whitening consecutively and without odontological supervision, which can bring consequences to their teeth.
MYTH: My teeth will be sensitive forever
Tooth sensitivity is one of the most frequent side effects when performing a teeth whitening; however, it is not something that happens to all patients and in all teeth. There may be mild periods of sensitivity in some teeth and may last a maximum of 24 hours. Currently many whitening products bring desensitizing agents to avoid or reduce this type of problems
MYTH: Clinical teeth whitening is better than home whitening
Both treatments are very good; however, each one has its indication, especially based on what the patient wants in terms of comfort and speed of treatment. The combination of both is usually quite successful and lasting over time. Scientific evidence indicates that home whitening is more stable over time.
MYTH: Whitening is a dental cleaning
NO. Teeth whitening is not a cleaning and does not replace it. In fact, to do a whitening it is necessary to perform a cleaning previously to have the gums and teeth as clean as possible without cavities or calculus.
If after this article you have any questions about this treatment or its maintenance, do not hesitate to contact the specialists of our dental aesthetics clinic Mariana Arocha. We will wait for you!