Recognize What Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is a procedure to brighten teeth, by removing stains on the surface of the teeth. Tooth discoloration is generally caused by drinks that leave stains, such as coffee, tea, or wine. In addition, tooth discoloration can occur due to smoking, excessive use of fluoride, consumption of certain drugs such as tetracycline, injury to teeth due to collision, or thinning of tooth enamel due to the aging process.

Tooth Bleaching Indications

Teeth whitening can be undertaken by anyone who has yellow stains on his teeth, especially patients who have healthy teeth and gum conditions, and no holes.

Teeth Whitening Warning

Some conditions that cause teeth whitening procedures should not be done, including:

• Age. Patients under the age of 16 years are not advised to do teeth whitening, because until that age, the nerves of the teeth are still growing. Teeth whitening will make teeth more sensitive.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Pregnant and nursing mothers should not undergo teeth whitening procedures.
• Sensitive teeth. Patients with sensitive teeth or gums should consult a doctor before planning to undergo teeth whitening.
• Allergy. Individuals who are allergic to peroxides are not advised to undergo teeth whitening.
• Tooth and gum problems. Teeth whitening is not recommended for patients with cavities. Bleach into the cavities can cause the gums to become sensitive. Patients must patch their cavities before undergoing teeth whitening.
• Tooth Restoration. Denture crowns or dental veneers cannot change their color with teeth whitening, so there is a risk of causing discolored teeth. It is recommended to whiten teeth 2 weeks before tooth restoration is done, so that artificial teeth can be adjusted to the color of teeth that have been whitened.

Before Teeth Whitening

There is no special preparation before the teeth whitening procedure, only the patient's teeth will be photographed as a comparison before and after teeth whitening.

Teeth Whitening Procedure

Teeth whitening procedures are generally performed by dentists in the following stages:

• The dentist will polish the surface of the teeth with pumice to remove plaque.
• The lips, gums, tongue, and inner cheeks will be protected with gauze, rubber, and retractors (opening the oral cavity), so they are not exposed to bleach.
• Bleach applied to the surface of the teeth. Bleach used can be based on hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
• The doctor will irradiate the teeth with ultraviolet light for 30-60 minutes to help the whitening process.
• After that, the teeth will be cleaned of bleach, and all the protection is removed.
• The doctor will also apply fluoride to the teeth to reduce sensitivity.
• If you are not satisfied with the results, the patient can make a schedule to repeat the teeth whitening process.

After Teeth Whitening Surgery

The teeth whitening effect is not permanent. Here are things that can be done to maintain the brightness of the teeth:

• Avoid consuming foods or drinks that can stain teeth, such as coffee, tea, ketchup or juice, wine, or candy.
• If you consume these foods or drinks, immediately brush your teeth afterwards.
• Quit smoking.
• Brush your teeth twice a day and use dental floss to remove food scraps.
• Use toothpaste that contains bleach 1-2 times a week, and use regular toothpaste to brush your teeth everyday.
• Perform a dental check every 6 months. Examination should be done more routinely for smokers.

Side Effects of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening can increase sensitivity to teeth and mild irritation to the soft tissues in the mouth, especially gums. However, this condition is only temporary and will disappear 1-3 days after teeth whitening. You can use toothpaste with potassium (potassium nitrate) content to reduce sensitivity to teeth and gums.