There are different approaches to whiten the teeth like using a whitening toothpaste, in-office dental bleaching, use of bleaching strips and the gold standard home bleach using custom made trays and a bleaching gel. Each of these methods have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Teeth whitening or teeth bleaching is probably the most common and sought after dental cosmetic procedures. Achieving a brighter healthier looking smile is no doubt an attractive prospect everyone would want. But there are several doubts that could choke one’s mind when determining the best method to bleach their teeth.
WHITENING TOOTH PASTES
Whitening toothpastes contain more of abrasives that tend to remove only the surface stains, but more importantly might end up damaging the outer surface of enamel. Few of these pastes may contain a bleaching agent, but even if so the amount of time the ingredient is in contact with the teeth is too less to produce any noticeable effect.
Advantages: Easy to use and cost effective
Disadvantages: Ineffective and can be damaging to the enamel
BLEACHING STRIPS
Bleaching strips contain chemicals like carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. So, while using the bleaching strips there is an inadvertent possibility of these chemicals coming in contact with the soft tissue like the gums, resulting in soreness, burning sensation etc that might last for some time. Moreover, they may not adapt well to the curvatures of teeth and so the results may not appear uniform
Advantages: Easy and convenient to use
Disadvantages: Varying results and possible injury to soft tissues
PROFESSIONAL OFFICE BLEACHING
Professional bleaching is a procedure where your dentist applies a 25-40% concentration of the bleaching agents on to the surface of your teeth and might activate them using light or laser. This is a faster method as the whole procedure would get over in about 45 – 60 minutes. But however due to the higher concentration of the agents used some people with sensitive teeth might experience unbearable sensitivity.
Advantages: Faster results, monitored by the doctor
Disadvantages: Very expensive, unpleasant or unbearable experience sometimes and the results don’t last longer
HOME BLEACH
This is a procedure where the dentist makes impressions of your teeth and prepares a tray that correctly fits your teeth and gives bleaching gels to be used at home. The patient has to load the gel on to the tray and wear it on to their teeth (as tutored by the dentist) for 4-6 hours a day for a period of 10-14 days. The bleaching agents are of lesser concentration and so usually there is very less chances of increased sensitivity felt by the patient and the gradual bleaching process produces more effective and more lasting results
Advantages: Very effective, less or no unpleasant experience, more affordable, user friendly
Disadvantages: Takes time (7-14 days) to achieve the results
Although an individual is free to choose the method best suited to him/her, considering all the factors we the team of best dentists in Chennai, at DT Smile Care, would recommend a slow, gradual and harmless way to bleach the teeth, that also produces longer lasting results like the HOME BLEACH
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