Bleaching VS. Whitening

Bleaching is when teeth are whitened beyond their natural shade.  Whitening is removing or cleaning the tooth back to its original shade.   Any product such as a toothpaste which does not contain a peroxide formula is considered a whitener.   In the dental office, all products used to lighten the shade of your teeth are bleaching agents.  However, these two terms are used interchangeably in the office and throughout this website.

How does bleaching agents work?

Bleaching is a function of concentration and time that the bleach is in contact with your teeth.  The higher the concentration of the bleach and the longer the bleach is left on your teeth the more the bleach penetrates your teeth.  The deeper the bleach penetrates, the longer your teeth will stay white.    Bleaching agents open the outer surface of a tooth.   From outside to inside, the bleaching agents penetrate the tooth.   As the penetrate, the peroxides oxidize the stains, therefore neutralizing the stain.  After bleaching is completed, saliva will remineralize the outer surface of tooth closing up the tubules that the bleaching agents had opened.

Types of stains:

There are two types of stains that can discolor a tooth. 

1. Extrinsic stains:  

    Extrinsic stains are that appear on teeth because of consumption of dark or stain               containing foods.  These stains are superficial and can be removed by routine brushing and     flossing.   However if left on the tooth, they can bond to the tooth and become more difficult to      remove.   Most can be removed by your dentist during your routine cleaning.    Some of these     stains can incorporate themselves deep inside the tooth and will require a bleaching agent to     whiten the stains.

     2.     Intrinsic stains:

    Intrinsic stains are stains that come from internal part of the tooth.   They result from aging,             ingestion of too many minerals, trauma, and excessive fluoride ingestion (SEE SECTION     BELOW).   These stains can not     be removed by routine maintenance of whitening products.     A     bleach agent such as take home or     in office laser bleaching is needed to whiten the tooth.

 

 Cause of staining:

     1. Genetics:

    we are all born with a certain tooth shade.    A tooth could be a mixture of multiple shades.       These shades include yellow, orange, brown, grey, and red.   These shades intensify with age.

    2.  Age

    With age, shades intensify.    Teeth darken in color as a result of stain accumulation and routine     wear and tear.  With age, it becomes more difficult of whiten and bleach.

    3.  food

    Foods containing high levels of food coloring whether natural or added are more likely to cause     stains.   These foods include red-wine, coffee, tea, cola, tomato paste.  In addition foods that are     acidic will cause stains because they cause a roughness to the outside tooth surface allowing     foods coloring to better be able to penetrate.

    4. Medications:

    Medications such as tetracycline can cause staining of the tooth during their formation.

    5. Trauma

     Trauma can cause miro-fractures inside the tooth.  Bacteria or colors can travel inside these     stains cause discolorations.

How white can I get my teeth?

There are many factors that will determine the final shade.    Above factors place a major role.    Products can claim to whiten you teeth up to 8 shades.   The reality is that everyone is different.   We do know that the younger you are, the more likely you will have a greater shift in shade.  People with the gray or brown tones have more difficulty achieving their desired shades.  You can ask your dentist for expected results.