Teeth Whitening: Understanding the Basics

There is no doubt teeth whitening has gone from being a craze and a fad to being a normal procedure that we do virtually every day. As more people have realized the importance of having whiter teeth and embraced the simplicity of getting their teeth whitening done, the demand for these kinds of services has also increased. Over the last several years, we have seen a 300 percent increase in the number of patients coming in for teeth whitening service, which is significant. This focus for a whiter smile has led to the growth of an industry that is currently around $1.4 billion and growing faster. Whether it is services from a cosmetic dentist, your regular dentist, over-the-counter do-it-yourself kits, or even whitening toothpaste, people everywhere are seeking to whiten their teeth. For us, this has meant growing significantly past just being an oral health care provider.

Today, there are patients who are insistent on doing teeth whitening themselves, which is admirable, and so we have put ourselves in the role of consulting with you to ensure you understand the product, are aware of how the process works, and most importantly, comprehend that taking care of your teeth after the whitening is as important as the whitening itself. Whitening works on a simple scientific principle. When a peroxide-based solution is dissolved into the teeth, it releases free radicals. These then cause the tooth to be more translucent and thus whiter. On the other hand, the food you eat every day, the drinks you consume, and the habits you have, work diligently to remove or cover up this translucency. Virtually every patient who gets teeth whitening understands the concept of regression, and so we work to explain how foods and products work to make your teeth less white. Smoking is an excellent example of a habit that will darken your teeth, and many people know this. However, there are more innocent-looking culprits, as well. For example, berries, soy sauce, and diet soda can all work to influence the color of your teeth in a less than positive manner.

Teeth whitening has become so much easier to accomplish. Naturally, there are distinct advantages to getting your teeth whitening done under the supervision of a professional, but regardless of this, you have the ability to always have whiter teeth. Unfortunately, there are habits we all pick up, such as snacking, that can cause your teeth to lose their whiteness faster than necessary. Snacking is a great example of a habit that isn’t necessary bad for you, as long as you are using healthy snacks, but can still cause great damage to your teeth unless you take measures to protect them. All foods have natural or added dye, which means they are working to discolor your teeth. In addition to this, some foods have a lower pH level, making them more corrosive to your teeth. In both of these cases, you want to make sure to brush your teeth at least 30 minutes after snacking to remove excess acid and prevent the substance from spoiling your perfect pearly whites.