Teeth Whitening

Prices vary greatly depending on your individual situation and professional recommendations. The quickest professional teeth-whitening method will cost around $300 to $800. A slightly cheaper, but less convenient, teeth-whitening option is to purchase a home bleaching kit from your dentist, estimated at $300 to $600. All other OTC (over the counter) products can be found at your local drugstore.

The best option is to visit your dentist to see if whitening is right for you. Almost anyone can benefit from tooth whitening. However, here are a few things to be aware of as some people are more susceptible to tooth sensitivity than others particularly:

• Those with generalized gingival (gum) recession.
• Younger individuals in whom dentin is thinner and the enamel more porous.
• Individuals with enamel loss exposing sensitive dentin; this can be due to wear, caused by grinding habits, or from acid erosion.

Bleaching is not always a permanent solution; the effects may diminish with the passing of time. Optimally, this period lasts six months to two years — referred to by dentists as the “fade rate.” Some studies quote periods of anywhere from 6 months to 10 years. Although fading is inevitable, it is possible to slow down the process by avoiding foods and habits that cause staining. Some individuals may need a tooth-whitening “touch-up” professionally, or with the home bleaching technique for 1-2 days, once or twice a year.

Yes, there are many studies supporting the overall safety of whitening by bleaching. Precautions are advised to protect surface enamel, for example by using calcium sulphate to prevent calcium loss and use of fluoride to promote surface hardness.

Not everyone is a good candidate for whitening depending upon if you have had cosmetic dentistry previously. Bleaching has little or no effect on most restorative materials. It may reduce the bond strength between enamel and composite restorations (tooth colored fillings), at least for a short time. Bleaching has no effect on porcelain or crowns. Ultimately, let your dental professional decide if you are a good candidate for whitening.

Both hydrogen peroxide and urea, a breakdown product of carbamide peroxide are found in every human cell; however it must be remembered that “it's the dosage that can cause a problem.” Concerns are generally only valid for individuals who ignore instructions/guidelines and overuse whiteners for months or years.

The claims of whitening by toothpastes mostly relate to their ability to help remove plaque and extrinsic or surface stains. The “whitening” toothpastes merely clean surface stains, but cannot change the underlying tooth color. Abrasives that are added to toothpastes in varying degrees depending on the brand, are essential for helping to remove plaque, and are usually in the form of silica. All ADA-approved toothpastes contain mild abrasives.