Types of Dental Whitening

Tooth whitening provides a quick and dramatic improvement to your overall smile. If you've done some research, you have probably found out that there are a number of products and services on the market today. Here is a quick guide to help you pick the best type of whitening for your specific needs!

Home whitening kits- All whitening products that work utilize some form of hydrogen peroxide. The main difference between an over-the-counter solution and something administered by a dental professional is the concentration of peroxide. Products like Crest Whitestrips will give you similar results to in-office whitening, but over a much longer time frame. Given you needs and expectations, this could be the perfect solution!

Whitening trays- These trays are made from a clear material like Invisalign retainers and are custom molded to your teeth. Since they prevent the peroxide from contacting your gums and cheeks, a higher concentration can be used. They are typically used once a day for two weeks, followed by one day a month for maintenance. 

In-office "Zoom" whitening- Here, whitening solutions are directly applied to the teeth under the supervision of a dental professional. The gums are blocked out using a special material and a very high concentration of peroxide is carefully applied to the teeth. The results are instantly noticeable and long lasting. This method achieves the same results as weeks of OTC whitening in about an hour and a half. 

"Mall Whitening" Kiosks- These stands (usually found in shopping malls) offer whitening services for rates somewhere in between home whitening kits and professional in-office whitening. However, the employees operating these stands are not dental professionals and generally cannot offer any products stronger than what you can buy over the counter. Your money is better spent either with a Whitestrip-type product or in an actual dental office. 

Whitening toothpastes, mouthwashes, floss, etc.- Just about every dental product nowadays advertises some sort of whitening ability. However, don't expect to see huge benefits. They are mostly aimed at surface staining, rather than the deep discolorations that cause yellow/ dark teeth. To get vibrant white teeth, you need to seek out a product that contains hydrogen peroxide. 

Natural whitening remedies- In general, whitening products that don't contain hydrogen peroxide (or some form of peroxide) won't really show any benefits. There are a number of instructions online, involving everything from strawberries to oil pulling, but it is unlikely that any of them will actually work. If you're looking to maintain a whiter smile naturally, cut back on pigmented liquids and drink with a straw when possible.

We hope you found our short run down on whitening useful. As always, if you have any questions, please give our office a call!

Dental Questions: Why shouldn't I use mall bleaching?

If you’ve been to a shopping mall recently, chances are you walked past booths offering “professional” teeth whitening in under an hour. They are usually decorated with scientific looking instruments, comfortable chairs and big blue lights to “speed up” the treatment.  You may be tempted to try a session for a mid-day shopping break, but we suggest you take a different detour. These bleaching services may not be worth your time or money.

 Any bleaching product that will work should contain a peroxide compound. This chemical oxidizes the “staining” molecules that are stuck in the dentin layer of your teeth, turning them more transparent/white. The American Dental Association recommends that any concentration over 10% hydrogen peroxide equivalent should be administered by a dental professional, to avoid burning or damaging the gum tissue.

It is important to understand that the employees operating these booths are not dental professionals. Therefore, they cannot be administering anything stronger than a Crest Whitestrip-type product. Some may claim that they use 35% bleach-- which is true, except they are using the significantly weaker carbamide peroxide instead of hydrogen peroxide.  

In some states, these bleaching booths have been shut down for practicing dentistry without a license. In response, their employees are not allowed to actually administer any part of the whitening. They are usually only allowed to hand you a bleach tray and tell you to position the light on your own. In this sense, you’re paying the price of an entire box of over-the-counter whitening products for a single treatment!

The ADA recommends that you talk with a dentist before performing any type of whitening treatment. Although this may seem trivial, it could save you hours of pain or headaches later. Don’t be fooled by the gimmicks or convenience of mall whitening. Over-the-counter products will get you real results for the same price. If you do want instant results, we provide that safely and effectively at our office. Our Zoom! whitening system is scientifically proven to lighten tooth shade in one treatment. If you would like to know more about bleaching systems, how they work, or any potential drawbacks, please call our office!

Home Whitening- Frequently Asked Questions

With so many whitening options, which one is best for me?

If you spend enough time watching tv or browsing the internet, you are bound to see some sort of advertisement for teeth bleaching. With such a huge demand and emphasis on facial esthetics, many companies and organizations are trying to win your business with the promise of a whiter smile. At Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, we wanted to take a moment to inform you on the hows and whys of whitening so that you can make the best decision for your personal needs. Take a look at our home whitening frequently asked questions:

1. How does whitening work?

Whitening, whether done at a dental office or in your own home with over the counter products, is all based on the oxidation powers of hydrogen peroxide (or a peroxide derivative). Deep tooth stains penetrate past the outer enamel into an inner layer called the dentin. This is the part of the tooth that locks in stains and becomes discolored. During whitening, the peroxide is conducted to the dentin via tubules in the teeth and reaches the stained tissue. The peroxide then removes color by oxidizing the pigments, which effectively removes their ability to absorb light. This reaction is a function of peroxide concentration and time. The longer you can keep a higher concentration of peroxide on the teeth, the more drastic and enduring your results will be.

Whitening adresses pigmentation in the tooth dentin. This layer is situated between the outer enamel and the inner pulp chamber. 

2. Do all whitening procedures work this way?

Any whitening procedure that addresses the root cause of deep staining will rely on some sort of peroxide therapy. The dental profession does not recognize an other/better way to remove discoloration from tooth dentin.

3. My toothpaste/floss/mouthwash says “whitening” on it, but does not have any peroxide content. What does this mean?

Many products marketed by mainstream dental companies promise a whiter, brighter smile with their use. Again, if the product does not contain a form of hydrogen peroxide it will not be able to remove deep stains within the teeth. On the backs of many of these products, the “whitening” properties are clarified: the scope of their effectiveness is limited to surface stains. This makes sense too; the abrasive properties of these products would make them excellent candidates for removing pigmentation at the outermost layer of the teeth. However, they will not address staining in the same fashion as a peroxide based treatment.

4. Are there any “all natural” whitening techniques that work as good as commercial products (i.e. strawberries and baking soda)?

The internet is full of articles on whitening your teeth via strawberries and baking soda or other “natural” techniques. Unfortunately, modern scientific research does not confirm any of these treatments and actually provides good reasons to avoid them. Strawberries, while delicious and full of great nutrients, are highly pigmented, acidic and sugary. This combination makes them horrible candidates for brushing with/leaving on your teeth. While the color may lead to further staining, the sugar and acid can actually lead to tooth decay. However, fear not!

Hydrogen peroxide is a perfectly healthy and safe way to whiten your smile and will not cause damage to your teeth.

5. How do home whitening solutions differ from those provided at Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry.

The only difference between a whitening service you would receive at our office and one you would purchase at a store is concentration of peroxide. The higher the peroxide concentration, the quicker the results. However, more peroxide necessitates more precise methods of delivery. This is done to prevent excess material from coming into contact with your gums/tongue and bleaching or irritating them.  When performing in office Zoom! treatments, we take about 20 minutes to block out all of your gum tissue with a special material to avoid any extra bleaching. With this level of precision, we can use a 35% bleach. Trays can be provided with a concentration up to 20%, as they “lock in” the peroxide around the tooth. Whitening strips and other take home products can only be sold with about 10% peroxide, as they are not custom made and are almost guaranteed to touch the gum tissue.

6. How long does whitening last?

The great news about whitening is that once you achieve a tooth shade you are happy with, it will remain stable for quite some time. We recommend you follow the manufacturer’s instructions until you reach your desired shade. Beyond that, you can use the product once a month (usually, varies product to product) as a means of “touching up” your smile. You can keep the whitening product in your fridge for longer shelf life, and remove it an hour before application.

7. Will my teeth be sensitive?

Peroxide causes sensitivity as it has to open tubules within the teeth to enter the inner dentin. Once these tubules are open, they are more sensitive to movement, air and cold temperatures. It is hard to predict sensitivity in patients who have never whitened before. However, many over the counter pain medicines are great at minimizing whitening pain. If you have questions about whitening sensitivity and how to minimize it, feel free to call our office.

We hope this information will help you better choose a whitening system that is best for your unique circumstances. If you want any more information on home whitening or would like to know about the whitening services offered at our office, please give us a call. We are always happy and eager to inform our patients on the best products and services available!

Teeth Whitening

Teeth bleaching is one of the most common and sought out dental treatments nationwide. There are numerous options and products offering whiter teeth, from toothpastes to bleaching “strips” and even professional procedures. At Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, we offer two forms of whitening procedures: in-office bleaching and take home trays.

Firstly, it is important to understand how teeth whitening works. In actuality, there is no bleach (sodium hypochlorite) in any whitening products. The active ingredient in almost all whiteners is hydrogen peroxide. Peroxide works by oxidizing the molecules that cause staining, which in-turn prevents them from dying the teeth. These staining compounds reside in the layer of the teeth known as the dentin. This zone sits between the tooth enamel and nerve chamber and is composed by  thousands of tiny ducts known as tubules. Whitening sensitivity usually arises from these tubules opening, allowing the peroxide to penetrate and “bleach” the teeth.

Take home bleach trays combine flexibility and enduring results of whitening strips with the speed of professional strength bleach. After you decide to whiten using trays, we will take impressions of your teeth and turn those into plaster study models. We then vacuum form plastic to your model, making a perfect relief of your teeth. After trimming the plastic, your trays are ready to be picked up and used. The entire process can be completed in as little as two days (if necessary).

(From left to right)- We start by taking impressions which are turned into stone models. These models are used to make your custom trays. We then send you home with a supply of professional strength peroxide bleach.

We will send you home with a peroxide intensity appropriate to your comfort level and desired results. Many first time bleachers will opt into a lower peroxide percentage until they understand their personal level of sensitivity. Trays are typically used for one hour a day for two weeks, followed by one hour a day, once a month. This schedule allows for deep dentin bleaching and an enduring white smile. Patients who use this method typically reach a very stable tooth shade that lasts for many years.

In-office bleaching is a great whitening solution for those who want immediate results or cannot devote the time to slower bleaching methods. We start by retracting your lips and blocking out your gum tissue and mucosa. Once we have created an effective barrier between your teeth and other mouth structures (peroxide will remove color from any tissue it contacts), we apply a 40% peroxide bleach to the facial side of your teeth. We typically leave the peroxide on for two 20 minute sessions. In the meantime, you can enjoy netflix, pandora internet radio or cable tv on our in-operatory TVs.

Top left- Blockout material used to protect your gums. Bottom left- In-office bleach, before activation. Right- Cheek retractors commonly used in our whitening procedures.

Feel free to enjoy one of our many entertainment options during your whitening procedure. 

If you have any further questions on teeth bleaching or would like to schedule an appointment, feel free to call our office. We have helped hundreds of patients achieve healthy and beautiful smiles and can accommodate all of your esthetic needs and desires.