All advantages and dangers of teeth whitening at a glance. In our culture, radiant white teeth are part of the ideal of beauty; in addition to well-groomed skin, they are the visible sign of health and attractiveness. Unfortunately, maintaining perfect teeth over the course of a lifetime is not that easy. Many dyes from drinking coffee or tea, smoking, or medication can penetrate the tooth enamel and discolor the teeth, even with good dental care.
Even teeth that are considered dead after a root canal can become darker. To get whiter teeth again, many people use teeth whitening. There are completely different methods that are more or less promising. Tooth bleaching is absolutely trendy, the question remains whether it is suitable for everyone and what dangers it poses.
What is bleaching?
In general, this term summarizes the whitening of the teeth. As a rule, the whitening agent carbamide peroxide is used for whitening. The hydrogen peroxide contained in bleach is comparable to substances that also lighten the hair. It is applied in the form of a gel, whitening agents that are sold in pharmacies or drugstores are dosed less than for teeth whitening that the dentist carries out.
Professional teeth whitening – office whitening
This is carried out in the dental practice or in beauty clinics, two methods are used. Office bleaching is the treatment that takes place exclusively in the practice. After a thorough examination of the teeth, the dentist applies the bleaching agent directly to the teeth, the gel has to work for about twenty minutes. After that, two to four more sessions are necessary to achieve the desired whitening, depending on the condition of the teeth. One session can be enough for power bleaching. Here a highly concentrated gel is applied, and the teeth are irradiated with UV light to accelerate the effect. You can already achieve a good result after an hour, but this power bleaching has its price. Also, note the benefits and dangers of cosmetic surgery.
Professional teeth whitening – home bleaching
With this method, the dentist prepares plastic splints, after which impressions of the teeth are made. The gel is applied to the splint at home, depending on the dosage, it is worn by the hour or at night. Depending on the concentration of the gel, the process takes about two to three weeks. The dentist checks the result and the condition of the teeth in between. The method also incurs some costs for the patient, which the health insurance companies do not cover.
Bleaching with over-the-counter agents
If you are afraid of going to the dentist or want to save money, you can use various bleaching agents that are available in pharmacies or drugstores. With these means, you can carry out the bleaching on your own. So-called white strips promise teeth whitening, as do tooth whitening sticks, with which the gel is applied to the teeth. Bleaching sets consist of plastic splints that are filled with gel, they are supposed to whiten the teeth evenly. With all products that are on the market, the gel used is less aggressive in order to prevent damage to the necks of the teeth.
Risks of teeth whitening
The first requirement is intact teeth, which should definitely be examined before use. Tooth enamel may deteriorate over time and there is a risk of gingivitis if the bleach comes in contact with the gums. During the treatment, the teeth are often very sensitive and react painfully to cold or heat. With carious teeth, there is a risk that the dental nerve will be damaged. In order to rule out all these dangers, it is always advisable to have the condition of the teeth examined before the treatment.
Whitening Benefits
- Discolored teeth can be treated
- Well-groomed appearance with beautiful teeth
- More self-confidence
- Power bleaching requires little time
- Determine your own success with home products
Whitening cons
- High cost of professional whitening
- No health insurance subsidies
- Frequent visits to the dentist
- The treatment only lasts for a limited period of time
- Sensitivity of the teeth to gingivitis
For a beautiful smile
Anyone who suffers from the discoloration of their teeth may be inhibited and no longer want to show their teeth to laugh. In the long run, this leads to cramping and weakens self-confidence. In order to be able to strengthen self-confidence, tooth bleaching can help here, beautiful teeth increase attractiveness. A thorough inspection or treatment of the teeth before tooth bleaching can eliminate dangers. In addition, home remedies for teeth whitening can be considered. Oil pulling, for example, can ensure beautiful teeth.
Bleaching costs
Professional bleaching costs several hundred euros, they vary in amount, starting at around 200 euros. Products for self-application are cheaper but in weaker doses.