Which type of whitening is best done by a dentist? " 365 Dentist

Last updated July 8, 2022

Did you know that there are several different types of whitening that dentists offer?

In order to perform whitening, it is important to clarify the whiteness of your teeth and the whitening method you are seeking. In this issue, we will introduce in detail the different types of whitening.

Types of Whitening

The types of whitening are listed below. Each whitening method has different characteristics, so it is important to understand the features of each treatment method before making a whitening choice.

▼Office Whitening

It is performed using an agent containing "hydrogen peroxide," which can only be handled by qualified dentists and dental hygienists. Because the concentration is high and teeth can be whitened in a single treatment, it is recommended for people who want to whiten their teeth quickly anyway.

▼Home Whitening

This is a whitening process performed at home. Unlike in-office whitening, it uses a low concentration of urea peroxide, so anyone can use it. Since whitening can be done without going to the dentist, it can be easily done in your spare time or at your own convenience. It is said that it takes about 2 weeks for the effect to gradually appear, and about 2 to 3 months to feel that your teeth are whiter.

▼ Dual whitening

In-office whitening and home whitening are used in combination; once in-office whitening is performed by the dentist, regular home whitening will help maintain the whiteness of the teeth.

How long does the effect last?

The effects of whitening fade over time. The duration of effect of each whitening method is as follows

▼Office Whitening

The effect is said to last for 3-6 months, depending on the individual.

▼Home Whitening

It takes about two to three months to whiten teeth, but the effect is said to last longer than home whitening, about 6 to 12 months, depending on the individual.

▼ Dual whitening

By combining office whitening performed by a dentist with home whitening at home, the effect can be maintained for a longer period of time. Although it depends on the individual, it is said that teeth can be kept whiter for one to two years.

Cosmetic Dentistry [Whitening Tokyo

What is the difference between whitening toothpaste and whitening toothpaste?

In recent years, many people are concerned about yellowing of their teeth, and toothpastes with whitening effects are sold by various manufacturers. These toothpastes are attracting attention because they can be easily applied in daily life.

However, because it contains different ingredients than the whitening done by a dentist, it is limited in its ability to whiten teeth.

Depending on the cause of the yellowing of the teeth as described below, there are cases where teeth can be whitened with whitening toothpaste and cases where teeth can only be whitened by whitening performed by a dentist.

In what cases can whitening toothpaste whiten teeth?

Whitening toothpaste removes pigments and stains on the tooth surface with ingredients such as sodium polyphosphate, hydroxyapatite, and abrasives (cleaning agents) to restore the original whiteness of the teeth.

Here are some cases where whitening toothpaste can be effective.

Food-induced hyperpigmentation

　　If your teeth appear yellowish due to pigmentation caused by tea, coffee, curry, wine, or other dark-colored foods, whitening toothpaste can also help.

Cigarette smoke

　　The tar in cigarettes can cause teeth to appear yellowish.

Poor cleaning of teeth

　　If the teeth are poorly cleaned, i.e., if the teeth are not brushed properly, the teeth may appear yellowish due to stains.

Cases in which whitening performed by a dentist can whiten the teeth.

Teeth whitening performed by a dentist can whiten teeth from the inside out. In addition to yellowing of teeth caused by food, tobacco, and poor cleaning, teeth that are yellowed or discolored due to the following reasons can also be whitened.

Yellowing of teeth due to aging

　　The color of enamel is originally transparent, but diffuse reflection of light makes it appear white. However, as the teeth age, the dentin, which exists beneath the cream-colored enamel, becomes thicker and darker, making the teeth appear yellowish.

/ Yellowing of teeth due to heredity or birth defects

　　Just as skin color varies from person to person, dentin color also varies from person to person.

Teeth with dead nerves

　　In some cases, when the nerves of the teeth have died, the teeth may appear darker in color. In this case, there is a high possibility that the teeth color can be whitened by a method called walking bleach, which is different from office bleach at the dentist's office.

Discoloration of teeth due to antibiotics

　　An antibiotic called tetracycline, which was widely prescribed in the 1960s, has the side effect of yellowing or darkening teeth. This one can be difficult to whiten completely with whitening.

Have you found the whitening that is right for you?

In this issue, we have introduced in detail the types and characteristics of whitening.

Whitening is gaining attention as more and more people are doing it as part of their personal grooming. Choose the type of whitening that best suits your ideal teeth whitening and lifestyle.

If you don't know how to find the right method for you or how to find a dental office, please contact us.

Use 365dentist for a free consultation with a current dentist before whitening.