How Often to Use Teeth Whiteners

People today have gone ga-ga over teeth whiteners. This is a simple procedure which can be done at home or in a dentist’s office using peroxides (mild acids) to oxidise (melt away) the particles that are causing the teeth to discolour and lose their original pristine whiteness.

There are several ways to attain white teeth and each procedure depends on an individual’s objective (how fast to have white teeth). Generally, this is done using bleaching gel that contained the said peroxide, either the hydrogen peroxide (stronger form of acid) or the carbamide peroxide (the milder form of acid).

Ironically, those who want whiter teeth in a shorter time use stronger acids, but they also lose the whiteness much faster. It means the whiteness of the teeth they so desired is not that long-lasting either. Admittedly, results can vary greatly depending on an individual’s teeth and the degree of discolouration that had occurred.

Lifestyles and eating habits also play a role in this aspect, with those who smoke regularly getting tar and nicotine accumulating on their teeth enamel. Even dark-coloured drinks like tea, coffee or chocolate can also contribute to this dental phenomenon. Surprisingly, even taking medicines can also discolour the teeth, such as those antibiotics that contain tetracycline.

Naturally, persons who had taken the trouble of whitening their teeth do not want to lose that treasured whiteness, but this is something inevitable with the passage of time. The best way is whiten the teeth once in a while after the effects of the acids had worn off and minute food particles that cause bacteria had once again discoloured the teeth. Consider this as part of the natural cycle as we eat foods and drink liquids which are dark-coloured and leave their pigments and sediments on the enamel.

For best results, dental procedures that employ gradual teeth whitening have long-lasting results while those using intensive treatments (effecting white teeth over a shorter time) lose their whiteness in approximately a week’s time. Bear in mind also that bleaching can erode the enamel but most scientific studies indicate the loss as insignificant, comparable to the normal wear and tear of using our teeth.

There are some mild side effects when using teeth whiteners such as tooth sensitivity or some irritation of the surrounding gum tissues. Also, pregnant women should avoid this procedure because they might accidentally swallow some of the acids in the whiteners and affect the foetus. If there are any reactions described above, discontinue the whitening and consult a dentist immediately. Normally, the side effects disappear within 2-3 days after discontinuance. These usually happen to those doing teeth whitening at home and are most likely caused by an ill-fitting mouth piece rather than a chemical reaction with the bleaching agent itself.

Since people’s teeth vary with regards to the bleaching effect, the rule of thumb is to observe if your teeth is still white or not after a period of six months and repeat the procedure when necessary. At any rate, long-term use of whiteners has a negligible reduction in the tooth enamel.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For Teeth Whitening Treatment Process, he recommends Direct Whitening.