Introduction
The wide variety of food and soft drinks available on the market contain dyes and other ingredients that can lead to discoloration of the tooth surface. For this reason, many people exhibit severe discoloration in the area of the tooth surface, which is increasingly perceived by themselves and their surroundings as unattractive and disturbing. As good looks and flawless teeth tend to be more and more important in our society, people suffering from tooth discoloration in particular want a bright smile with white teeth.
As a rule, it is not only the presence of healthy, caries-free teeth, but above all beautiful, straight and white teeth that play a decisive role. However, discoloration of teeth does not always indicate irregular or simply unclean oral hygiene. Even perfectly healthy teeth can take on a yellowish or grayish color due to various factors.
For many people affected, a certain genetic dislocation is the main factor influencing the natural color of their teeth. In addition, external causes can lead to tooth discoloration due to color particle deposits. Above all, the consumption of tobacco products, an unhealthy diet and the profession in which they work play a decisive role in the development of tooth discoloration. In addition to the questionable use of special household remedies and the use of bleaching products for domestic use, many affected persons still rely on tooth whitening in the dental surgery.
Which methods can I use to bleach my teeth?
First of all, one must distinguish the reason for bleaching. Should only one tooth be whitened or should the entire dentition be whitened as a whole? Root canal filled teeth often turn dark after the treatment.
In such cases, there is a desire to match only one tooth to the remaining teeth. The bleaching mass is placed in the upper part of the root canal. The tooth is then provisionally closed so that the gel is not washed out again.
The mass is changed every week until the desired color is achieved. The problem with bleaching in general is that the teeth continue to whiten after the treatment is completed. This means that theoretically you have to stop using the gel before the tooth is as bright as the others.
Otherwise it will be even brighter. If all teeth are to become brighter overall, there are again different techniques. Brushes, strips for sticking on or conventional splints with gel (e.g. iWhite Instant) are available in the drugstore.
With the help of the instructions for use you should be able to do this at home. As bleaching agents freely available throughout Europe may contain a maximum of 6% H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide), the effect is often minimal. This raises the question of the price-performance ratio.
Home bleaching is the most favorable. Here you get an individually made plastic splint from your dentist. The splints fit exactly on your own teeth.
This way the gel can be placed exactly where it is supposed to work and is also gentle on the gums. Usually, a pea-sized portion of the splint is filled into the splint for each tooth at home. The splint is worn for 1-2 or at most 4 hours per day.
It is advisable to choose the evening because it should be worn at the same hour if possible. Overnight there is a risk of oversleeping and leaving the gel in too long. Depending on the level of whitening to be achieved, the treatment is carried out over 1-2 weeks.
The third method is called In Office Bleaching on the dentist’s chair. The gel used is even more concentrated than that used in Home Bleaching. The oral cavity is protected with a rubber band, a so-called rubber dam.
The gums are additionally protected with viscous, solidifying rubber dam material. The gel is applied for 20-30 minutes and left to take effect. The gel is additionally heated with a UV lamp, which leads to a faster reaction, as described in the topic hydrogen peroxide.
