Teeth whitening, also known as bleaching, is an easy way to brighten your smile.

What causes discoloration of teeth?

Discoloration of teeth can occur due to several reasons. The most common reasons causing discoloration are:

  • Ageing
  • Wear of teeth due to grinding
  • Poor oral hygiene
  • Ingestion of coloured foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, colas, red wine etc.
  • Tobacco use
  • Tetracycline medication
  • Consumption of certain antibiotics
  • Excessive fluoride ingestion

How is teeth whitening performed?

Procedure

Your gums are carefully protected with a special covering. The whitening solution is applied to the teeth and activated with a special light in the dental clinic. Alternatively, a whitening gel is provided to you to be used with a custom-made tray at home.

Is whitening safe?

Yes. Many clinical studies and extensive research have proved that under the supervision of a dentist, teeth whitening is safe. Many dentists consider teeth whitening to be one of the safest cosmetic dental procedure available. The whitening agent helps remove internal stains in your teeth and restore the color back to their original shade. So if you have noticed your teeth discolour over time, you are likely to have great results after whitening them.

Teeth whitening is not recommended for children under 13 years and pregnant or lactating women.

For how long do the results stay?

Certain simple post whitening care instructions need to be followed which will be explained to you by our team of dentists. We recommend avoiding coloured liquids and tobacco for a few days after whitening for about a week after the procedure, to maximize the effect of the teeth whitening.  Alternatively, coloured liquids can be swallowed with a straw so that it does not contact the front surface of the teeth. We also recommend flossing and brushing twice daily to keep your teeth in a good and healthy condition. Depending on your lifestyle, you may need to whiten your teeth periodically.

Does teeth whitening have any side effects?

Post treatment sensitivity may occur with some patients. Generally, this sensitivity disappears in 2-3 days. The whitening treatment kit also contains a gel which can be used to reduce the sensitivity. In case sensitivity persists, a desensitising toothpaste can also be prescribed which helps reduce the sensitivity.

Are there different types of whitening available?

Whitening teeth can be done with a simple tray that can be used to hold the whitening agent while you sleep. This tray fits in close contact with your teeth, and the whitening process occurs over night. A more effective way with better results is to do a chair side whitening, where the whitening agent is applied to your teeth and a high intensity blue light is then used to activate the agent. Chairside whitening usually requires four cycles, with each cycle lasting for 15 minutes. At the end of every cycle, the whitening agent is cleaned and re-applied, and the light is again shown for 15 minutes. Completion of all four cycles is not mandatory, and the procedure can be stopped at any time if the colour obtained is satisfactory, which it usually is.

Can whitening be used to whiten veneers or crowns?

No, it cannot. Whitening only works on natural tooth structure and does not work on ceramic.

How much does teeth whitening cost?

The cost of teeth whitening varies depending on the type of technology used. Please contact Acharya Dental at +91-44-49501100 or https://acharyadental.com/request-an-appointment/ to schedule a consultation.

How is teeth whitening different from teeth cleaning (scaling)?

Teeth cleaning involved removing macro stains and deposits on the surface of the tooth with an ultrasonic instrument. Teeth whitening removes microscopic stains that are lodged within the pores of the teeth.

I haven’t had my teeth cleaned in a long time. Should I whiten my teeth or clean them?

We always recommend a teeth cleaning prior to a whitening procedure. This is because macroscopic stains on the teeth can block the action of the whitening agent and reduce the effectiveness. After the teeth cleaning procedure, if you are happy with the colour of your teeth, it may not be required to whiten the teeth.

What can I do to have my teeth continue to remain white?

Avoiding excessive consumption of coloured liquids such as tea, coffee and wine can help reduce the amount of discolouration your tooth will undergo. Using a straw is another great way to make sure these coloured liquids do not darken the front of your teeth. Tobacco (cigarettes and chewing tobacco) are notorious for staining and discolouring teeth, and they should be avoided if you intend to keep your teeth staying bright and white.

I need to have a crown on my front tooth, when is the right time to whiten my teeth?

If you are having a crown or veneer done on a front tooth, it is a good idea to make sure that you like the colour of your existing front teeth. The lab technicians at Acharya Dental will match the colour of your new crown to your existing teeth to perfection. If you want to whiten your teeth, it would be best to do this one week prior to your crown measurement appointment. This will allow the whitened teeth to have a stable colour and will allow the Acharya Dental team to select a shade that will complement your beautiful white smile.

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