How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
If you were to ask a group of people what they would want to change about their smile, what do you think the most common response would be? Some may say they wish their teeth were straighter or that they wish their teeth weren’t so sensitive, but the majority would say they wish they had a whiter smile, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Our teeth consist of a hollow chamber filled with nerves and blood vessels called the pulp. A hard yellow substance called dentin surrounds the pulp, and enamel (which is the part we see) covers the dentin. Over time, the surface of our teeth can become stained due to our diet. Nearly any dark food or drink can stain our teeth. Our enamel also can become thin and wear away, which is commonly due to drinking acidic beverages. As the enamel wears away, the dentin peeks through, giving our teeth a yellowish appearance. Additionally, our teeth naturally become more yellow over time.
This has led many people to try teeth whitening in an effort to improve their smiles. Most teeth whitening options include an ingredient called hydrogen peroxide, which contains volatile oxygen molecules. As these molecules touch the stains on your teeth,
they break apart the chemical bonds that hold the stains there. This gives them that bleached look so they appear as white as possible. I often have patients ask me when is the best time to whiten their teeth if they’re either beginning or are in the process of orthodontic treatment. I always recommend whitening after orthodontic treatment has been completed. Teeth tend to stain more while in treatment, so if you do a whitening procedure prior, it may not be as effective as you would like.
At our office, we offer take-home whitening using office-grade products. It’s the best option for whitening as it gives you control over how white you want your teeth to look. If you’re interested, ask us about it next time you’re at the office.
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