A Guide to Teeth Whitening

new smileIf that sparkle is missing from your smile every time you look in the mirror, it’s time for some teeth whitening. For some people, whitening is regarded as a purely cosmetic exercise, almost implying that the exercise is not necessary. This is only true if you disregard the trauma that teeth discoloration drags along with it which includes heightened self-consciousness, loss of confidence and self-doubt. A simple process of teeth whitening will alleviate all these ailments and restore that smile you once effortlessly displayed without any fear or reservation.

Why do teeth become discolored?

The first step is learning why teeth end up losing their whiteness in the first place. One of the reasons a tooth turns yellow or grayish is the advancement in age. Aside from age, other reasons for discoloration include exposure to too much fluoride, injuring a tooth, genetics and exposing the teeth to foods and drinks that stain.

Things to know before considering teeth whitening

Before you consider whitening, you want to consider the following;

Begin with healthy teeth

Before you go for whitening, you want to clean up any underlying issues first. Whitening teeth that have cavities, plaque or exposed roots is like trying to paint over a cracked wall. You want to fix any underlying dental issues first before you embark on whitening your teeth.

Brace yourself for tooth sensitivity

A common side effect for tooth whitening is sensitivity of the teeth. A pain killer like ibuprofen can be of great help if the sensitivity is just too much to bear.

Whitening isn’t a one-time thing

Teeth not only discolor because of age but, they also do because of consuming tea, or alcohol. This implies that the new coating will not last forever. This means that you will have to undergo the tooth whitening process a few times in your lifetime.

How does teeth whitening work?

Teeth whitening works by either changing the inside color of the teeth (intrinsic whitening) or removing stains from outside the teeth (extrinsic whitening).

Intrinsic whitening refers to whitening of the dentin, also known as the inner part of the tooth that soaks up hydrogen peroxide gel. Extrinsic whitening on the hand is the removal of stains on the tooth’s enamel.

What teeth whitening methods should you avoid?

Whitening mouthwash

A mouthwash may contain all the right ingredients but it’s not going to whiten your teeth, unfortunately.

Strawberry or lemon pastes

These pastes are good and leave a good feeling in the mouth, but you are at risk of suffering erosion of the enamel. This is because of the acidic nature of these pastes.

When to avoid teeth whitening

You want to avoid teeth whitening on the following instances:

Sensitive teeth

You want to hold off the teeth whitening procedure if you suffer from sensitive teeth.


If you have cavities, get those filled first before you can think about teeth whitening.

Gum recession

Your gum recession should be addressed first before you look at teeth whitening.


Have any more questions about teeth whitening and what the best option is for you? Call our office and our staff will be glad to answer any additional questions you may have. Contact us today!