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What is Teeth Whitening?

Healthy and white teeth are an aesthetically important element among people. Performed in order to have a whiter tooth, teeth whitening treatment is among the mostly applied procedures in dentistry. Tooth whitening application is the process of removing the colored organic substances in the structure of the teeth with tooth whitening agents.


Why Do We Need Teeth Whitening? 

Since human beings are social creatures, the appearance of teeth plays an important role expressing oneself better in society. The appearance of the teeth is also important in terms of the effect we will have on people in our social life. An effective smile and white-looking teeth, are elements that increase the individual's self-confidence. 


Why Do Teeth Lose Their Whiteness?

We can roughly classify the color changes that occur in the teeth in two groups. Aging, structural disorders in childhood, some medications and some systemic diseases that are exposed in infancy and the womb, or colored food and liquids we use in everyday life (smoke, tea, coffee etc.), and the amount of minerals we externally receive may cause change in color.


What are Tooth Whitening Methods?

Teeth whitening applications applied to living teeth are technically divided into two different types. Office type whitening performed within a few hours, and it is a fast, reliable and effective bleaching system that can be applied in a clinical setting, that includes whitening agent and light application, and it can whiten the tooth color by 3-4 tones in a short time. Teeth whitening at home, which is also called Home Bleaching, is applied with a simple oral measurement using bleaching agents that will be placed in plastic mouthpieces that are produced individually. It is used for an average of 2-3 weeks, for 4-8 hours a day. 


Can Teeth Whitening Application be performed on Everyone? 

Anyone who does not have any tooth or gum disease that prevents the procedure can have teeth whitening practice. Before the procedure, a dentist's examination should be performed and tartar must be cleaned. Those with advanced caries and gum disease in the mouth can have a bleaching application after the treatment is completed by a dentist. Apart from these, the procedures of individuals who have not completed their growth and development, and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are postponed until these conditions are over. 


Is There Any Harm to Teeth in Whitening Procedure? 

In the studies conducted, when the teeth whitening is applied with the correct protocol, there was no damage on the teeth. However, things such as baking soda and lemon scrubbing that patients apply themselves for whitening cause damage to the dental tissues as they will cause wear on the teeth.


Do the Teeth Whitened in Equal Tones for Every Individual? 

Tooth whitening applications do not give the same results for everyone, it is an application that cannot be determined beforehand as it may vary from person to person. 


What Are the Side Effects of Teeth Whitening Applications?

Although there are not many side effects, the most common side effect is the hot and cold sensitivity in the teeth. However, this effect passes within 24-48 hours.


How Long the Effect of Whitening Lasts?

Although the resulting whiteness is permanent, it is possible that external colorants cause the teeth to appear darker again. Although it varies from person to person, the whiteness obtained remains constant for about 6 months - 2 years.


Medipol Mega University Hospital, Doctor Lecturer Burak Gümüştaş 
Dental Treatment
December 2, 2019