Tooth Bleaching Basics

Smile makeovers are popular these days. People want their smiles to be beautiful, dazzling, bright and white. No dull, lackluster, stained teeth—people want to have the kind of teeth of which other people are envious. Simply put, people want good-looking teeth.

Sometimes smile makeovers involve tooth bleaching. This is what needs to be done when a person’s teeth are stained or discolored. There are a great number of possible causes of tooth discoloration—contrary to what some people may think, stained teeth are not necessarily the result of poor oral hygiene. Here are some common causes that can result in the need of tooth bleaching:

• Age: Normal wear and tear as a person ages can cause more cracks to open up in the enamel (outside covering) of a person’s teeth. Stains and debris enter and stay in these cracks, causing discoloration. The older a person gets, the more cracks in the enamel he is likely to have.
• Dark Foods/Beverages: Drinking coffee and tea and eating foods that are darkly pigmented—such as beets or carrots—can stain the teeth.
• Acidic Foods/Beverages: Citrus foods or other foods that contain acidity or vinegar wear down the tooth enamel.
• Drugs/Chemicals: Tobacco will stain the teeth, whether a person smokes or uses chewing tobacco. Some prescription medications—such as Tetracycline--also contain chemicals that can cause tooth discoloration.
• Fluoride: Yes, people are supposed to use toothpaste with fluoride. However, too much fluoride is not a good thing—it will stain the teeth.

Most people have at least a few of the above issues; therefore, tooth bleaching is something that could benefit nearly anyone. Tooth bleaching is a form of tooth whitening. According to the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), however, only certain forms of tooth whitening are allowed to be called ‘tooth bleaching.’ The term ‘tooth bleaching’ can only be used for procedures and products that contain bleach and that will whiten the teeth beyond their natural color. All other tooth whitening treatments may not be called ‘tooth bleaching.’

Tooth bleaching will usually work to remove even the deepest, most difficult stains on teeth. Even stains that are caused by chemicals or fluoride—two of the more challenging stains—can often be removed with tooth bleaching procedures.

There are over-the-counter tooth bleaching treatments; however, in-office procedures will work more completely. There are a few steps to in-office treatments. First, the dentist makes impressions of your teeth in order to make customized bleaching gel trays. After the trays have been made, you then come to the office for a conditioning treatment. This is a one-hour procedure designed to make your teeth more permeable to oxygen. Next, the dentist gives you a 14-day kit to use each night with your bleaching trays. Finally, you go for an office visit for a one-hour power bleaching session.

You continue to use your bleaching trays every two to three months or as advised by your dentist in order to maintain your tooth whiteness. By following instructions, tooth bleaching can provide nearly permanent tooth whitening—unlike any other whitening treatment. This makes it completely worth its hefty $1,300 price tag.