The best way to whiten teeth

Summary

This video explains the different methods for whitening teeth, highlighting the limitations of whitening toothpastes, which only remove surface stains. To change the intrinsic color of teeth, professional treatments like in-office whitening or at-home whitening trays with peroxide are necessary. The video stresses the importance of consulting a dentist before pursuing whitening, especially if you have cavities, crowns, or other dental work. A healthy smile is more important than simply achieving a white one, and not all whitening methods work for everyone.

Takeaways

• 😀 Whitening toothpastes only remove surface stains, not the intrinsic color of teeth.
• 😀 Over-the-counter whitening toothpastes contain abrasives that help remove stains caused by coffee, red wine, and dark sodas.
• 😀 To change the intrinsic color of teeth, you need a whitening treatment that contains peroxide.
• 😀 In-office whitening procedures at the dentist's office are effective in changing the intrinsic color of teeth, often in one visit.
• 😀 In-office procedures involve applying and removing a whitening gel several times to achieve results.
• 😀 Take-home whitening options include custom trays or non-custom whitening strips.
• 😀 For take-home whitening, trays are filled with whitening material and worn on the teeth for a period of time.
• 😀 Healthy teeth are essential for effective whitening; whitening may not work well on teeth with cavities, crowns, or large fillings.
• 😀 It's important to consult a dentist before undergoing any whitening treatment, especially if you have dental concerns.
• 😀 Teeth whitening might not be effective for people with dark teeth or dental work that affects the front surfaces of their teeth.

Q & A

What is the main limitation of whitening toothpastes?

Whitening toothpastes do not change the intrinsic color of your teeth. They only remove surface stains caused by external factors like coffee, red wine, and dark sodas.

How do whitening toothpastes work?

Whitening toothpastes typically contain abrasives that scrub away surface stains on your teeth, such as those caused by coffee, tea, or dark beverages, but they do not alter the actual color of the tooth structure.

What is necessary to change the intrinsic color of teeth?

To change the intrinsic color of your teeth, you need to use a whitening product that contains peroxide or undergo professional whitening treatments.

What are the two primary methods for whitening teeth effectively?

The two primary methods for whitening teeth are in-office professional treatments, where a whitening gel is applied by a dentist, and at-home treatments using custom trays or whitening strips.

How does the in-office teeth whitening procedure work?

In the in-office whitening procedure, a dentist applies a whitening gel to your teeth and repeats the process of applying and removing the gel several times in one visit, resulting in a whiter tooth color.

Can you use at-home whitening products without professional guidance?

While at-home whitening products like trays or strips are available, it's important to consult with your dentist beforehand to ensure that your teeth are healthy and suitable for whitening.

Are whitening strips as effective as custom whitening trays?

Whitening strips are less effective than custom-made whitening trays, which are designed to fit your teeth better and deliver a more even application of the whitening gel.

What factors should be considered before deciding to whiten your teeth?

Before whitening your teeth, you should consult with your dentist to ensure that your teeth are healthy. Issues like cavities, crowns, or large fillings in the front of your teeth may reduce the effectiveness of whitening treatments.

What is the risk of whitening teeth if they are not healthy?

If your teeth are not healthy, such as having dark teeth, cavities, or extensive dental work like crowns, tooth whitening may not be effective and could potentially cause more harm.

Is one visit enough for professional in-office whitening?

Yes, in most cases, only one visit to the dentist is required for professional in-office whitening, where multiple cycles of applying and removing the whitening gel are done during the appointment.