Bleaching, or teeth whitening, is a popular method of whitening teeth and making them shine white. Teeth whitening can be done at the dentist, but there are also methods of whitening teeth at home. Through this, a sometimes significant before-and-after effect can be achieved. But the different methods have advantages and disadvantages. What does cosmetic teeth whitening cost? Is bleaching healthy or does it harm the teeth? Find out this and more here!
Bleaching: how to whiten teeth?
Many people want white teeth for a bright smile. But over time, our teeth become discolored yellowish. Then bleaching (English for whitening) of the teeth is a way to lighten them and make them appear whiter. Tooth whitening can be done, for example, with the help of strips that are simply stuck on the teeth, or by applying special gel. The active ingredient hydrogen peroxide is usually used, which helps to whiten the teeth.
Why do teeth become discolored?
There are very few people who have naturally properly white teeth. In addition, tea, coffee, nicotine or red wine leave visible traces on our teeth. Even mouthwashes containing the active ingredient chlorhexidine can contribute to the discoloration of our teeth. But it’s not just plaque and discoloration from the outside that make teeth yellowish; thin enamel also allows the underlying dentin, the tooth bone with its yellowish color, to show through. Tooth enamel is the hardest tissue the human body has to offer. It consists of tiny crystals called enamel prisms. As light bends off the prisms, the iridescent effect is created. However, this effect is lost externally due to plaque and discoloration. But internal discoloration is also very common: Root fillings, medications (such as the antibiotic tetracycline) or injuries to the tooth are among the most common causes of yellowish teeth. In addition, dead teeth turn gray over time because they are no longer supplied with nutrients. By the way, not only our real teeth discolor over time, but also artificial teeth and plastic fillings.
Teeth whitening: What bleaching methods are available?
Teeth whitening can be done in several ways:
- Whitening teeth yourself with tooth whiteners for home.
- Cosmetic teeth whitening at the dentist
- Natural teeth whitening through home remedies
How do these methods work? How long does the bleaching last? What is the cost of bleaching? What are the advantages and disadvantages? We have taken the various whitening methods for you under the microscope.
Teeth whitener for home
There are various in the pharmacy or drugstore over-the-counter whitening products for the teeth. However, it is important to know that these only work on external discoloration. Almost all tooth whiteners contain carbamide peroxide (a mixture of carbamide and hydrogen peroxide), for example in the form of gel applied with a brush (bleaching pen) or as adhesive strips (strips) placed over the teeth. After application, oxygen radicals are created that lighten the colorants in the tooth enamel. In addition to pens and strips, there are also bleaching powders (usually with activated charcoal) and toothpastes, as well as pre-made trays filled with a bleaching gel. All agents must be applied several times and should not come into contact with the gums, mucosa or lips, if possible.
How much does bleaching cost and how long does it last?
Packs usually last for 14 days, during which time teeth can become a few shades lighter. This quite inexpensive form of bleaching (cost: between 15 and 30 euros depending on the preparation) lasts up to six months.
How well does home bleaching work?
Bleaching products for home should only be used after a professional teeth cleaning and a thorough check by the dentist. The problem with the strips is that only the area from the front teeth to the canines is reached. The teeth behind this area can appear unsightly later, as they remain dark. Unless you have completely even teeth, whitening with strips also does not always reach the entire tooth, which can lead to a stained result.Products containing activated charcoal are completely unsuitable for tooth whitening, because the powder acts in a similar way to sandpaper and abrades the enamel over time, which actually promotes discoloration. Whitening toothpaste is usually cheaper than other whitening agents and very easy to use, but it also has a lesser effect and – if it contains so-called abrasive ingredients – can have an abrasive effect that damages the enamel, just like activated charcoal. When choosing your tooth whitener, make sure that the product does not contain more than 0.1 percent hydrogen peroxide, otherwise it can cause irritation or burns to the gums. With all products, follow the manufacturer’s exposure times and application recommendations exactly.
Professional bleaching: cosmetic teeth whitening.
Most dentists offer such professional teeth whitening. There are various procedures, such as bleaching the teeth with a splint: a bleaching agent with carbamide peroxide is applied to a splint specially made for the patient. The splint is taken home and worn for a certain period of time, either by the hour or at night. In between, the condition of the teeth is checked by the doctor. The splint has the advantage of protecting the gums from damage caused by the bleaching agent. The procedure is also called home bleaching. In contrast, office bleaching takes place in the dentist’s office. Here, the dentist applies high-dose whitening agent to the teeth and checks after the exposure time whether the effect has been achieved as desired. Up to three treatments may be required. In addition, a bleaching lamp or soft laser can be used, with which even dental fillings and dentures can be successfully whitened. This is called power bleaching – but the effects of this procedure are controversial. In addition, the dentist can also help with internal discolorations, such as those that can occur after root canal treatment. To do this, the tooth must first be drilled out, after which a bleaching agent is introduced into the tooth. This procedure sometimes needs to be repeated several times.
How much does tooth whitening cost at the dentist?
Because teeth whitening counts as a cosmetic treatment, health insurance companies do not reimburse the cost. A professional bleaching costs about between 250 and 600 euros.
What speaks for professional bleaching?
Only the dentist can determine exactly what type of discoloration it is, that is, internal or external discoloration of the teeth. He also has access to high-dose bleaching agents, which can even be used to whiten dental fillings and dentures. This allows for more intense and even effects. The result also lasts longer – up to two or three years. In addition, an experienced dentist knows how to carefully protect the gums and other tissue areas in the mouth so that there are no undesirable side effects. Even though the treatment is significantly more expensive, it may be advisable to put teeth whitening in professional hands and have it done by a dentist for the reasons mentioned above.
Whiten teeth naturally by home remedies
Many people prefer natural methods when it comes to whitening teeth. Home remedies that are said to help whiter teeth include:
- Oil pulling with coconut oil
- Turmeric (chewing the root or brushing teeth with turmeric paste).
- Baking powder or baking soda, respectively, stirred with water to form a paste
- Fruit acid (brushing teeth with lemon juice)
Some of these home remedies can be safely tried, such as oil pulling with coconut oil. There is evidence that the use of coconut oil in addition to normal oral hygiene can help reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth. Turmeric is also thought to improve dental health and help whiten teeth because of its antibacterial effects. However, one should not expect great effects in terms of teeth whitening from the two home remedies. Other home remedies, on the other hand, are considered harmful and experts advise against their use for teeth whitening. Just like activated charcoal, baking soda and baking powder can act on the teeth like sandpaper and cause cracks in the enamel. Fruit acid also helps to whiten teeth initially, but not in a healthy way, as it damages the enamel in the long term.
How healthy or harmful is teeth whitening?
Before self-treatment of the teeth, a visit to the dentist is highly advisable, because the teeth should be free of cavities, tartar, inflammation or leaking fillings. Those who have gum problems or exposed necks of teeth may be sensitive to the agents used in teeth whitening. The active ingredient could then penetrate the inside of the teeth and damage them. To prevent this, a prior check-up with the dentist is indispensable. Also, only the dentist can judge whether the discoloration is internal or external, i.e. whether bleaching would be of any use at all. Crowns and fillings or bridges cannot be whitened. Caution is advised especially with plastic and amalgam fillings, because these can even become discolored on contact with the bleaching gels. The gums, tongue and lips should also not come into contact with the bleaching agents if possible, as this can lead to chemical burns. Dentists also warn against the use of bleaching toothpastes and powders containing activated charcoal or other abrasives, as these attack the tooth enamel and thus not only damage the teeth, but also promote discoloration. Nevertheless, various scientific studies confirm that whitening healthy, caries-free teeth does not attack enamel and dentin. So if the teeth are healthy, bleaching is considered harmless. If you want to be on the safe side, it is better to have your teeth whitened by a professional. Hypersensitivity of the teeth within the first 24 hours after bleaching is quite normal and no reason for concern. Fluoride-containing gels can help combat this after-effect. Teeth whitening is not recommended for breastfeeding or pregnant women, as well as children and adolescents under the age of 16. By the way, bleaching is not the only method of treating discoloration on the teeth. An alternative is the so-called veneers, which are wafer-thin ceramic or plastic shells that are glued to the top of the teeth to cover discoloration, but also gaps or signs of wear. Talk to your dentist about whether this method is right for you.
Prevent discoloration of the teeth
The best way to prevent tooth discoloration is to practice thorough dental hygiene. In particular, electric toothbrushes and cleaning the spaces between teeth (for example, by flossing or interdental brushes) play an important role in preventing deposits and discoloration on the teeth. In addition, reduce the consumption of coffee, black tea, red wine, nicotine and other agents that contribute to the discoloration of teeth. After consuming foods that attack tooth enamel (for example, juices, spinach, soft drinks or red wine), wait at least half an hour before brushing your teeth to allow saliva to neutralize the acids.
