teeth whiteningIt was a pleasure to interview Martha Hancock. Martha is a registered dental hygienist in Ontario and a great educator. She teaches dental hygiene at a college in Toronto. In this interview, Martha discusses teeth whitening methods. Check out the podcast!
How to whiten teeth?
Teeth whitening procedures, composite fillings, veneers, and crowns are options for whiter teeth.
There are many teeth whitening toothpaste available. Toothpaste containing mild abrasives helps remove stains mechanically. A toothpaste containing chemicals such as carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide chemically removes stains, commonly referred to as teeth whitening or bleaching. How much does whitening toothpaste cost? The cost of whitening toothpaste ranges from 3 to15 dollars.
Whitening strips are another over-the-counter option for teeth whitening. Both whitened strips and toothpaste contain the same bleaching agents. For 14 consecutive days, you will apply the strips for 30 minutes each day. The result is better compared with bleaching toothpaste. The cost of whitening strips ranges from 20 to 50 dollars.
Over-the-counter whitening kits are also available. They contain materials that form a mouth tray and a bleaching agent. You fill a tray with a bleaching agent and place it on your teeth. How much do teeth whitening OTC kits cost? They start at $30 and go up to $220.
Here is another option. The dentist will make a custom bleaching tray and provide you with the bleaching agent. You will use this custom tray and agent at home for teeth whitening procedures. The oxidizing agent is typically 10% to 30% carbamide peroxide. The custom-made tray you will wear 1 to 2 hours a day or overnight for a 2- to 6-week period. Unlike kits from stores, this tray is tailored to you, making it less likely for the bleaching agent to hurt your gums. The treatment costs about $400.
Finally, you can choose to bleach your teeth in a dental office under the supervision of dental professionals by choosing in-office bleaching. Most dentists combine bleach with a laser when performing this procedure. Teeth whitening in a dental office costs about $600.
Teeth whitening tips
• Bleaching will not change the color of dental restorations: fillings, crowns, veneers
• After bleaching, restorations may no longer match the color of the teeth
• The most common side effects are tooth sensitivity and gingival irritation
• The procedure is not recommended for long-term use.
• Bleaching has a temporary effect
There are many ways to whiten your teeth. Whitening methods all use the same bleaching agent, but the concentration varies, resulting in varying degrees of whitening.
Sources:
(Darby & Walsh, Fourth Edition)