An aesthetic and confident smile is based on healthy and sparkling white teeth. Each whitening procedure has a different active ingredient, application and promised results.
How can we choose the one that’s best for us? Which teeth-whitening methods really do not damage the teeth? In this article, we outline the most popular methods from a dentist’s perspective, prioritising the health of their teeth.
What is worth knowing about tooth discolouration?
Tooth discolouration, with a yellowish hue, causes problems in the lives of many of our patients. Many are limited in speaking, smiling, and self-expression if they are not satisfied with the aesthetics of their teeth.
Before looking for teeth whitening solutions, it is worth finding out exactly what causes tooth discolouration and what influences the shade of teeth.
Genetics have a major influence on the size and colour of teeth, that is, the characteristics we have inherited from our ancestors. We have some fortunate patients who are naturally genetically predisposed to have white teeth; their teeth are less prone to discolouration, and with the right care, they can maintain their healthy, white smile.
Unfortunately, this is less common. Almost all people have one or more habits in their lives that can be considered harmful from a dental point of view, which negatively affect the colour of the teeth and can lead to yellowing.
Examples of this include our eating and drinking habits. Both the food and drink we consume contain pigments of various colours, and the build-up of these on the surface of our teeth can lead to discolouration. We’ve all heard about how Excessive consumption of coffee or tea, various soft drinks, fruit juices and red wine can have a negative effect on the colour of our teeth as well. All of these can affect the colour of tooth enamel, particularly if oral hygiene habits are poor.
Smoking also has a great many harmful effects from a dental point of view. Among other things, the nicotine in these products affects the colour of the teeth, which can cause a yellowish or even brownish discolouration on the surface of the teeth.
Apart from lifestyle habits, Discolouration can be caused, for example, by the excessive use of certain medicines, damage to the teeth or root canal treatment. These special cases generally require a personalised, case-by-case approach.
Home teeth whitening practices – can they really be effective?
There are numerous articles about at-home teeth-whitening methods that promise effective results. One common example is the bicarbonate of soda, lemon juice, orange or lemon peel, hydrogen peroxide, or, for example, apple cider vinegar also because of their teeth-whitening effect. Although these are natural substances and They can result in dramatic changes in colour, but they can also cause a number of harmful effects and unpleasant symptoms.
They can damage the gums, because of their acidic effect they can cause severe tooth wear, they wear away the tooth enamel, which, in the long term, can not only make teeth sensitive but also cause significant damage to them.
For this reason, we do not recommend using these tricks as, after the temporary whitening, they can cause numerous unpleasant side effects, ranging from tooth sensitivity and enamel weakening to tooth decay.
Whitening products: toothpastes, mouthwashes and gels
The main active ingredients in sets, gels, or applicators available in drugstores are typically hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The European Union strictly regulates how much of each active ingredient can be contained in individual products.
These products can therefore be used safely for teeth whitening and are usually effective. It is worth bearing in mind, however, that Tooth sensitivity, as well as irritation of the mucous membranes or gums, is often experienced both during and after treatment as well. And because of the low active ingredient content, the whitening effect on the teeth is less long-lasting, they can return to their original state within a short time.
The preparations used in dental treatments are much stronger and more effective, so it's possible that the same shade can be achieved in a proper dental practice after just one treatment and will also be longer-lasting.
Whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes and rinses are excellent for maintaining the whiteness of teeth. With continuous use, they remove plaque and stubborn stains from the surface of the teeth.
However, they are not able to clean and whiten the deeper layers of tooth enamel, so we recommend their use primarily after professional teeth whitening, to maintain a healthy white colour.
Professional teeth whitening: LED or laser?
There are as many needs, habits and preferences as there are people. That's why, before choosing in-office teeth whitening, we always recommend a consultation, during which our patients receive a personalised treatment proposal in consultation with our dental hygienists.
Our expert will make recommendations tailored to your lifestyle, habits, dental health and your specific needs, and provides an opportunity to clarify any questions that may arise before the procedure.
The In-clinic teeth whitening using LED lights We recommend this primarily to those who wish to achieve a rapid, intensive whitening effect and spectacular results. We begin the treatment with a professional teeth cleaning.
After that, the more sensitive We coat the gums with a special protective substance, to protect against any potential adverse effects during the bleaching process.
Next, We apply a special whitening gel to the teeth, and the surface coated with the gel We use an LED teeth-whitening lamp to shine light on it. This activates the teeth-whitening ingredient in the gel, which then whitens the teeth.
After 15 minutes, rinse off the gel, then repeat the process twice more until the desired result is achieved. As a result of the treatment, your teeth will be several shades lighter, and your smile will become more charming, more attractive and a lasting, natural white.
The other type, Biolase laser teeth whitening We recommend this for patients with sensitive teeth, as this procedure is extremely gentle; thanks to the beneficial effects of the laser, we are also able to reduce this sensitivity.
In our practice, we use the Biolase ezLase laser device for laser teeth whitening, along with a teeth whitening agent developed especially for this device, LaserWhite gel.
Laser teeth whitening treatment performed in this way is fast and effective, free of harmful substances and side effects, and the results will be long-lasting.
If you want a truly lasting result: White teeth for a lifetime programme
Many of our patients have found it difficult to maintain their natural white shade after a single teeth-whitening treatment. It was precisely to meet this need that we developed Our ‘White Teeth for Life’ programme, through which we offer a solution to those who wish to maintain the whiteness of their teeth in the long term.
Our personalised treatment series includes the following steps:
- As the first part of the treatment, we perform a thorough dental cleaning: our dental hygiene experts remove plaque and tartar from the teeth using professional methods, employing ultrasonic scaling and, if necessary, sandblasting.
- With our effective, comfortable, painless and proven in-office whitening procedure, we will whiten your teeth in multiple shades: with a choice of LED light or laser, depending on your needs. As a result, your teeth will be maximally cleaned and brilliantly white.
- At your consultation in six months, we will perform a re-dental hygiene treatment and make a transparent whitening splint for your teeth, adapted to your dentition, designed for home use, and give you a special whitening gel as a gift!
- The clear and perfectly fitting whitening tray and gel can be used in the comfort of your own home, even during your favourite movie, to restore the whiteness of your teeth to the shade achieved with in-office whitening.
- After that, further dental scaling is required every six months, and we We’ll give you a free tube of teeth-whitening gel every time. When used in conjunction with the teeth-whitening tray, you can remove stains from your teeth time and time again, and help maintain their healthy, naturally white colour. This is how we ensure that your smile stays confidently white, even for a lifetime.
Professional teeth whitening – Don't leave it to chance!
If you want safe, healthy and long-lasting results for your whole body, consult our expert specialist who will recommend a personalised treatment plan, explaining the options available to help you achieve the white smile of your dreams.
Home practices can be dangerous because of their potentially harmful health consequences, and in the long run they can cause more problems than we think.
At the Naturadent clinic, we have several decades of experience; drawing on the cases of thousands of satisfied patients, we offer you the very best of our expertise in teeth-whitening treatments during that time as well.
