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What
should you ask your dentist?
You may want to start by speaking
with your dentist. He or she
can tell you
whether whitening procedures
would be effective for you. Whiteners
may not
correct all types of discoloration.
For example, yellow-ish hued
teeth will probably
bleach well, brownish-colored
teeth may bleach less well, and
grayish-hued teeth
may not bleach well at all. Likewise,
bleaching may not enhance your
smile if you have had bonding
or tooth-colored
fillings placed in your front
teeth. The whitener will not
effect the color
of these materials, and they
will stand out in your newly
whitened smile. In
these cases, you may want to
investigate other options, like
porcelain veneers
or dental bonding.
What is in-office bleaching?
If you are a candidate for bleaching, your dentist may suggest a procedure that can be done in his or her office. This procedure is called chairside bleaching and may require more than one office visit. Each visit may take from 30 minutes to one hour.
During chairside bleaching, the dentist will apply either a protective gel to your gums or a rubber shield to protect the oral soft tissues. A bleaching agent is then applied to the teeth, and a special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent. Lasers have been used during tooth whitening procedures to enhance the action of the whitening agent.
What are at-home procedures and products?
There are several types of products available
for use at home, which can either be
dispensed by your dentist or purchased
over-the-counter.
Bleaching solutions. These products contain
peroxide(s), which actually bleach the
tooth enamel. These products typically
rely on percent carbamide peroxide as
the bleaching agent, carbamide peroxide
comes in several different concentrations
(10%, 16%, 22%).
Peroxide-containing whiteners typically
come in a gel and are placed in a mouthguard.
Usage regimens vary. Some products are
used for about twice a day for 2 weeks,
and others are intended for overnight
use for 1-2 weeks. If you obtain the
bleaching solution from your dentist,
he or she can make a custom-fitted mouthguard
for you that will fit your teeth precisely.
Currently, only dentist-dispensed home-use
10% carbamide peroxide tray-applied gels
carry the ADA Seal.
You also may want to speak with your
dentist should any side effects become
bothersome.
For example, teeth can become sensitive
during the period when you are using
the bleaching solution. In many cases,
this sensitivity is temporary and
should lessen once the treatment
is finished.
Some people also experience soft
tissue irritation—either from a tray that
doesn’t fit properly or from
solution that may come in contact
with the tissues.
If you have concerns about such side
effects, you should discuss them
with your dentist.
Toothpastes. All toothpastes help
remove surface stain through the
action
of mild abrasives. "Whitening" toothpastes
in the ADA Seal of Acceptance program
have special chemical or polishing
agents that provide additional stain
removal effectiveness. Unlike bleaches,
these ADA Accepted products do not
alter the intrinsic color of teeth.
How should I choose a whitening product?
When selecting a whitener or any dental
product, be sure to look for the ADA
Seal of Acceptance—your assurance
that they have met ADA standards of safety
and effectiveness.
Please note: The ADA does not provide specific answers
to individual questions about fees, dental problems, conditions, diagnoses,
treatments or proposed treatments, or requests for research. Information about
dental referrals, complaints and a variety of dental procedures may
be found here. You can also refer to our Frequently
Asked Questions page for answers to common questions.
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