Whether we want it or not, our teeth are not white forever. Studies show that our teeth begin to yellow with age and compounds that stain our teeth are in the food and drink that we intake. We’ve all been in the dilemma of choosing which to get for our teeth – a dental whitening service or a home remedy/kit?

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the colour of natural tooth enamel and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile.

Why does our teeth become yellow?

• Enamel Thinning
  Teeth enamel is the outer surface layer of the teeth that protects the teeth from decay. Even though the tooth enamel is one of the hardest mineral substance in the body, acid in the food and drinks that we intake destroy the tooth enamel, breaking it slowly. Aside from acidic foods, gum disease and aging can also wear down the tooth enamel.
• Stains
  Beverages such as coffee, tea and red wine are the most major staining drinks that we intake almost every day. Aside from these beverages, using tobacco and medications can also stain the teeth.

Professional Home Whitening Kits

There are a lot of ways on how to whiten yellow teeth at home. Some methods include natural ones by using baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, fruit or oil. But, professionals highly recommend using take-home whitening kits from the dentist.

A professional take-home whitening kit consists of a custom-made tooth whitening trays and professional-grade tooth whitening solution. Below are the pros and cons of using dentist-prescribed whitening kits:

Pros

• Relatively cheaper than the dentist in-chair whitening service
• Patient can control the frequency and pace of the whitening treatment based on his teeth sensitivity
• Can be used in combination of dentist in-chair whitening treatment to maintain the teeth white

Cons

• Results may be visible over a longer period of time
• May not be the best for some people as it can damage your teeth and gums when done wrong
• May contain acids and abrasives which may not be safe for some patients

In-Chair Teeth Whitening Treatment

Some people prefer teeth whitening treatments at the hands of their dentists than doing it at home. In-Chair Teeth Whitening Treatments are done at the clinic and is usually started with a dental check-up. Dental check-up before the treatment is necessary to make sure that the patient’s teeth and gums are healthy and can undergo treatment. A clean may also be recommended by the dentist before the whitening treatment to ensure its effectiveness.

During the treatment, a bleaching agent will be used to whiten the teeth. The patient’s gums and lips will be covered for protection. Teeth sensitivity should be expected after the treatment. This usually disappears after 48 hours. Medicines such as Nurofen, and sensitive toothpastes are recommended for patients before the treatment to minimize teeth sensitivity.

Pros

• Fastest way to whiten discoloured teeth
• The dentist can adjust the treatment depending on the current status of the teeth (discolouration and stains) in relation to the natural shading of the patient’s teeth
• Worth the money

Cons

• Costs more than take-home whitening kits
• Uses bleaching solutions with higher concentration which may be a problem for people with hypersensitive teeth
• Setting an appointment and visiting the dentist’s clinic which may be impossible for patients with busy schedules

Have any questions about teeth whitening that you would like to clarify? Talk to us! To know more about our available home whitening kits and in-chair teeth whitening treatment, call us or send us a message.