Brighter Smiles: Brightening Your Day

In a recent poll, people were asked if they would choose a cosmetic makeover, liposuction, facelift, or teeth whitening if money was no object. 52% of those surveyed said they would choose teeth whitening. While there are many ways to whiten teeth, including professionally in the dental office, consumers are spending over $1 billion per year on over-the-counter (OTC) whitening products. People want whiter teeth because it makes them look better.
Almost all whitening products will lighten teeth to a certain extent because they all contain hydrogen peroxide or a derivative. The controlled environment of the dental office and the quality of the materials used usually provides the most predictable and most effective results. If you choose to use OTC products you may not get nearly the same result you would with having it professionally done. However, I will admit, I have seen some good results with certain OTC many products. Just beware – there are many gimmicks out there.
All forms of tooth whitening can have side effects, including gum irritation and sensitive teeth. These side effects are normal and usually subside once the treatment has stopped or shortly thereafter. We will often recommend the use of a “sensitive” toothpaste a month or so prior to starting whitening to help ward off tooth sensitivity. Another advantage to having it done professionally, is the support you have from the dental staff guiding you through the process. This makes the treatment faster and more effective.
The issue with overusing whitening products is the continuous assault of the pulp or nerve of the tooth through any exposed dentinal or root surface by the bleaching gel. If the whitening is causing tooth sensitivity it means the gel is affecting the pulp of the tooth in some way. In the short-term that’s usually not an issue and the pulp recovers. Whitening products should be used as an initial treatment, and then for occasional “touch-ups”.
In my experience, I have never seen permanent damage done to teeth if the whitening products are used properly. It is important to note that different kinds of teeth require different strengths of bleaching to get the desired result. These different “types” of teeth also have varying levels of sensitivity to the bleaching products.
Teeth in patients 30 and under, and teeth that are yellow in appearance, typically take less time to achieve the desired result. These teeth are also the most susceptible to the side effects of bleaching. People with recession are also more susceptible to sensitivity. This group will usually see great results with professional at-home tray whitening in about 2 weeks.
The older and darker teeth are, the more time it takes to lighten them and the less susceptible they are to side effects. For example, I treated a patient with severe staining due to tetracycline medication as a child who was told his teeth would not lighten all that much. He did at-home professionally monitored bleaching every night (or almost) for 9 consecutive months and got amazing results. That is atypical and should never be done without supervision.
There is nothing quite like a bright beautiful smile. The simple process of teeth bleaching can completely change a smile. There are some OTC products that are perfect for some patients as long as the included directions are followed. For those who have more bleach challenged teeth or want more predictable results, professional whitening is advised.
Teeth Whitening makes a great present too!
Dr. St. Clair maintains a private dental practice in Rowley dedicated to health-centered family dentistry. He has a special interest in treating snoring, sleep apnea and TMJ problems. If there are certain topics you would like to see written about or questions you have please email them to him at jpstclair@stclairdmd.com