Home Tooth Bleaching

As an alternative to tooth bleaching, or tooth whitening, treatments in the dentist’s office, many people opt for bleaching their teeth at home. Because not all tooth bleaching methods will have equal effectiveness, and many over-the-counter bleaching gels under-deliver, the dentists at Colonial Dental Group can create custom-made take-home trays to wear on your teeth with a bleaching gel that will work for you. This works well for teeth that are stained due to drinks such as coffee, black tea, or red wine, as well as pigmented foods such as curry or berries and nicotine stains.

Technique

The active chemicals used in tooth bleaching contain either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These bleaching agents work by dissolving the stains on the teeth and changing the color to a whiter shade. Tooth bleaching peroxide can be found in several different products.

• Over-the-counter – Products you can buy in the store contain a low percentage of peroxide. Some of these contain an acidic solution that can dissolve tooth enamel if not used properly. The trays that come with these products are also a one-size-fits-all. Due to this, the bleaching agent may not touch your teeth effectively enough, leaving you with uneven results. The strips some of the products use may irritate the gums, and can take up to a year for you to see results.
• Tooth Whitening Toothpastes – Toothpastes also contain a small percentage of peroxide in them. While they are effective at cleaning and whitening teeth, some may contain an abrasive, which can hurt the enamel on your teeth, as well as irritate your gums. These products are meant to remove stains on the surface, but don’t remove stains that are deeper.
• Chair-side – Some home tooth bleaching techniques begin with a visit to your dentist. Chair-side tooth bleaching, like Pola tooth whitening uses a high-solution peroxide on the teeth. The bleaching agent can be activated by light, heat, or even laser application. When the procedure is finished, the patient is then given a tooth bleaching product to use regularly at home. They can use this until their desired tooth whiteness is achieved.
• Custom-fitted Bleaching Trays – Used under the supervision of your dentist, the bleaching agent contains a lower level of peroxide, but the tray it is placed in is custom-made to fit your teeth. By keeping the bleach against the teeth, and reducing contact against your gums, the results are much better than they are with over-the-counter products. They are usually worn overnight and results can generally be seen in two weeks. Some may even come with fluoride to help your teeth in other ways.

While there are several ways to whiten your teeth, keeping them white is up to you and your oral hygiene. Some personal habits can have a deleterious effect on the whiteness you desire. However, with home bleaching, you are in control of when and where you bleach them.

If you are in the Chicago, Illinois area and are interested in tooth bleaching, please contact the experienced tooth whitening dentists at Colonial Dental Group for an initial consultation.