Teeth Whitening Dentist Calabasas

Understanding Teeth Whitening

Before you whiten your smile, you should learn how teeth whitening works. This cosmetic dental procedure removes stains and discoloration from your teeth to improve their appearance.

Teeth whitening involves applying bleaching agents to the tooth enamel, usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These agents cause stains to break down into smaller bits, making the color less bright.

There are two primary types of tooth discoloration, including:

1. Extrinsic–These stains affect the outer layer of the tooth and are generally caused by eating certain foods, drinking particular beverages, or tobacco use.
2. Intrinsic–These stains occur inside the tooth and are caused by age, trauma, or medication.

Teeth whitening works best on extrinsic stains. If intrinsic stains are present, alternative treatments, such as veneers or bonding, may be necessary to achieve the desired results.

Causes of Teeth Discoloration

Many elements result in tooth discoloration, which affects the enamel and dentin differently. These include:

Foods and Beverages

Every day, what foods and drinks you eat can significantly impact the color of your teeth. Some pigments are in specific consumables that stick to the enamel and discolor over time. For example:

1. Coffee’s dark color and high acidity make it easy for stains to attach to the tooth surface.
2. Tea is lighter in color but has tannins that intensify staining.
3. Red wine, which combines deep pigments and acidity, is particularly harsh on enamel.

Even seemingly harmless foods such as blueberries, blackberries, and cherries can stain teeth due to their rich natural pigments. Acidic foods like citrus fruits do not stain teeth directly, but they weaken enamel, which is more likely to stain from other sources. Repeated exposure to these stain-inducing foods and beverages can dull the brightness of your teeth over time.

The amount of discoloration depends on the condition of your enamel. The staining will be more noticeable if your enamel is weakened or porous from age or poor dental care.

Using Tobacco

Tobacco use is a common cause of tooth discoloration. Regardless of whether you smoke cigarettes, use cigars, or chew tobacco, these products contain substances like nicotine and tar that discolor your teeth in the long term.

If nicotine comes in contact with oxygen, it turns yellow and stains teeth. On the other hand, tar is naturally dark and leaves brown stains that are difficult to remove. These stains penetrate enamel and settle into the deeper layers of teeth, making them resistant to regular brushing or over-the-counter whitening products.

Although tobacco use causes surface-level disc discoloration, it also harms oral health in ways that make staining worse. It decreases saliva production, which removes food particles and debris that might otherwise become lodged in teeth. It also allows stains from other sources to accumulate more quickly.

Plaque and tartar buildup are more common among smokers and tobacco users, who often develop it faster than nonusers, and this leads to further yellowing and darkening of teeth.

Age

Your teeth wear and tear over time, affecting their color and appearance. Your teeth comprise enamel, the complex, outermost covering. Below the enamel is dentin, a softer, yellowish layer. With age, your teeth’ enamel becomes thinner due to chewing, brushing, and exposure to acidic foods and beverages. This thinning makes the yellow dentin underneath more visible, making your teeth look dull or yellow. In addition, the natural micro-cracks in your enamel as you age can trap stains from food, beverages, and other substances to worsen discoloration. Small and usually invisible to the naked eye, these cracks are pathways for pigments to seep in and settle.

As we age, the natural remineralization process that keeps our enamel strong also tends to slow down. As a result, our teeth can become more susceptible to staining agents.

Medicines

Some medications can drastically change teeth’s natural color, and discoloration is a common side effect. Tetracycline and doxycycline, both antibiotics, can permanently stain developing teeth, leaving them grey or brown-streaked, particularly if taken during childhood. Antihistamines, high blood pressure medications, and antipsychotics can also cause discoloration by decreasing saliva production, making teeth more susceptible to staining.

Chemotherapy and radiation directed at the head and neck can weaken enamel and disrupt oral health, raising the risk of discoloration. In addition, liquid iron supplements and over-the-counter remedies can leave dark stains, and excessive fluoride can cause white spots called fluorosis.

How Teeth Whitening Works

Teeth whitening is a process that restores your smile’s natural brightness by removing stains and discoloration. This cosmetic treatment uses bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to break down stains into smaller, less noticeable particles. These agents penetrate the enamel to lighten intrinsic and extrinsic discoloration without damaging the tooth structure.

In professional settings, dentists can tailor the concentration of the bleaching solution to your needs and apply it safely and controlled. The process often involves activating the solution with specialized lights or lasers to speed up the chemical reaction, bringing faster, more noticeable results. Custom-fitted trays or over-the-counter products use milder solutions that take longer to produce similar results for at-home treatments.

Ingredients in Bleaching Products

Hydrogen or carbamide peroxide are the primary bleaching agents used with most teeth-whitening solutions. These ingredients release oxygen molecules that seep through the enamel and dentin and break apart the compounds that cause discoloration. Hydrogen peroxide acts more quickly due to its direct action. However, carbamide peroxide is more stabilized; it slowly releases hydrogen peroxide. Hence, it is ideal for at-home use.

Besides these bleaching agents, many products contain ingredients that make them work better yet safer. For example, desensitizing agents such as potassium nitrate or fluoride, which help to minimize sensitivity during and after the whitening process, are often added. Some of these formulas contain thickening agents to help the product stay in contact with the teeth to achieve the best results.

Teeth Whitening Options

So many teeth-whitening options are available, and each method has benefits and drawbacks. You can choose the approach that fits your lifestyle, budget, and desired outcome. Examples include:

In-office Bleaching

The most efficient and effective teeth-whitening option is in-office bleaching under the careful supervision of your dentist. Bleaching in the office uses potent whitening agents, such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, at higher concentrations than those used in over-the-counter treatments. They break down tough stains from coffee, wine, tobacco, and aging that penetrate the enamel.

Your dentist examines your teeth and gums to ensure they are healthy for whitening. They then clear the area by removing any plaque and applying a protective barrier over your gums to prevent them from being harmed by the potent bleaching agents.

Afterward, the dentist applies the whitening gel to your teeth under a special light or laser to make the treatment more effective. This combination of high-concentration gel and state-of-the-art technology makes the whitening process swift, in some cases, in less than an hour.

Precision is one of the key advantages of in-office bleaching. The fact that a dental professional does the whitening means you can be sure that the whitening is applied evenly and to your individual needs. Your dentist can also adjust the treatment intensity to account for sensitivity concerns and will do so to keep you comfortable during the process.

While in-office bleaching is more expensive than other options, its superior results and long-lasting effects make it worth the splurge. This method gives you a brighter smile and self-confidence, and that’s why it is the best method for getting dramatic and reliable whitening results.

Teeth Whitening at Home

Teeth whitening at home is convenient and inexpensive to achieve a whiter smile. This method appeals to those who like to change gradually or prefer to avoid many dental visits. Although at-home whitening does not give you the immediate results of in-office treatments, it is effective if done correctly and consistently.

Whitening products typically provided by your dentist, such as custom-made trays or over-the-counter options like strips, gels, and rinses, are used to whiten at home. However, dentist-provided trays are especially helpful, as they are made specifically for your teeth. These trays are used with a professional-grade bleaching gel that you use daily for a predetermined amount of time, usually between one and two weeks.

Whitening Trays

Custom whitening trays are designed to fit your teeth perfectly. They allow you to apply the whitening gel evenly, reducing the risk of irritation to the gums and other soft tissues. Because they fit like a glove and are packed with professional-grade bleaching agents, they are often considered the gold standard for at-home whitening.

When you choose to have whitening trays made by your dentist, the process begins with an impression of your teeth. The mold will create trays that suit your dental structure and provide maximum contact between the whitening agent and your enamel. In many cases, the trays are used with a gel containing active ingredients, like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which break down stains on the tooth surface and beneath the enamel.

Whitening trays are simple to use. You apply a small amount of gel to the tray and wear it as directed, usually for a few hours a day or overnight, depending on the product’s concentration. Treatment time can vary, but most people will notice improvement in one to two weeks.

There are also over-the-counter whitening trays that may be preferable for those who want to spend less. However, these trays are pre-molded and do not provide the custom fit that dentist-provided trays do. If the bleaching gel does not stay contained to the desired areas, it can result in uneven whitening or an elevated chance of gum irritation.

Whitening Strips

Whitening strips are thin, flexible, and coated with a bleaching agent, such as hydrogen peroxide, that lifts stains from the enamel. Their ease of use and availability make them an excellent option for those wanting to improve their smile without visiting a dental office.

The strip is peeled from its backing and applied to your teeth, pressing gently to ensure good contact. The strips are designed to stick to your teeth and stay in place during treatment (usually 20 to 30 minutes per session). How long you need to wear the strips and how many times a day will depend on the brand. You should wear them once or twice daily for up to two weeks to start seeing results.

Whitening strips effectively remove surface stains caused by food, beverages, or smoking. Still, they may not be able to penetrate as far as other treatment methods like professional treatments or custom trays. Over-the-counter strips contain a lower concentration of bleaching agent than in-office solutions, resulting in a gentler, slower process.

Whitening Rinses

Whitening rinses combine traditional mouthwash benefits such as fresh breath and plaque removal with a whitening agent, usually hydrogen peroxide. Consistently using whitening rinses will help slowly improve the color of your teeth by removing surface stains.

All you have to do is swish a whitening rinse around in your mouth for the recommended period, generally 30 to 60 seconds, and spit it out. It is repeated once or twice a day, usually after you brush and floss. These rinses are finally more subtle in their results because the whitening agent is a relatively low concentration.

These rinses are ideal for people who want to slowly increase their whiteness or maintain the results of a more intense whitening treatment. They are also not as sensitive or as likely to irritate gums, making them a good choice for those with sensitive teeth or new to whitening products. Plus, most whitening rinses contain some fluoride added to strengthen enamel, which is generally good for oral health.

Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpastes target surface stains from coffee, tea, or wine. They are different from regular toothpaste as they contain special ingredients, such as mild abrasives and chemical agents, which, over time, polish enamel and remove discoloration.

When used as directed, fine particles gently scrub your teeth’ surface to lift stains without damaging the enamel. Low concentrations of bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide are sometimes used in some formulations to augment their whitening effects. Other people use chemical compounds, like blue covering, which makes your teeth look whiter as soon as you brush by reflecting light.

Whitening toothpaste also contains fluoride that helps harden enamel and avoid cavities, making it a cosmetic and health-benefit product. Their effects are primarily on extrinsic stains on the surface of teeth. Although generally safe, whitening toothpaste can sometimes cause mild sensitivity in people with vulnerable enamel. You can reduce this risk by using toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth or talking to your dentist about alternatives.

Adverse Effects of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is generally safe and effective but is not free of potential side effects. The two things patients complain about most after whitening are sensitivity and gum irritation.

Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity manifests by sharp temporary discomfort on the teeth when exposed to hot or cold temperatures, sugary foods, or air. The main reason is that the bleaching agents temporarily increase the permeability of the enamel and expose the underlying dentin and its nerve endings.

You might feel sensitivity more acutely if your enamel is naturally thin or you have pre-existing dental conditions like cavities or gum recession. The discomfort usually disappears in a few days after treatment. Use desensitizing toothpaste, reduce how often you whiten, or ask your dentist if fluoride treatments could alleviate the sensitivity and help it stay under control while you whiten.

Irritation of the Gums

Irritation occurs when the bleaching gel comes into direct contact with the soft tissues of your gums, resulting in redness, swelling, or a mild burning sensation. This irritation’s severity depends on the bleaching agent’s amount and how precisely it is applied.

Whitening treatments performed by professional dental practitioners reduce this risk because the protective barriers used during the procedure shield your gums. But at-home kits, especially those that do not fit right, can allow the bleaching agent to leak onto your gums, increasing the chance of irritation.

If you feel uncomfortable, rinse your mouth with lukewarm water or use a soothing gel recommended by your dentist. Proper application and careful instructions can prevent gum irritation.

Find Teeth Whitening Services Near Me

A brighter, whiter smile can help you look better and feel better. Teeth whitening removes stains and discoloration to achieve a smile that matches your vibrant personality. No matter where you choose to undergo teeth whitening, whether in the office or at home, you must make the right decisions and practice the proper care to get and maintain a radiant smile.

If you want a beautiful, white smile, we at Calabasas Smiles Advanced Dentistry can help. Our experienced dental professionals in Calabasas, CA, provide state-of-the-art whitening treatments. We are committed to safety, effectiveness, and long-lasting results and will guide you every step to a smile you can be proud of.