Will teeth whitening get rid of stains?
Staining can occur as a result of the tooth enamel becoming discoloured when you have too much of highly pigmented foods or drinks like red wine and coffee as well as smoking tobacco. Whitening your teeth will help to remove stains but is important to have stained teeth cleaned first by a dentist or hygienist. If this is not done, the whitening gel will not be able to work fully and you could be compromising your results.
Do at-home teeth whitening treatments also use hydrogen peroxide?
"Clinics use hydrogen peroxide as well as home kits. At-home teeth whitening kits can only use very very low levels of peroxide which is why they are not that effective. In clinic we are allowed to use higher concentrations as they are administered by a dentist, which gets much better results," says Dr Marques.
Due to regulations, the UK uses a 6% hydrogen peroxide solution (or up to 16% Carbamide Peroxide Solution as this is 3 to 1 of hydrogen peroxide so under 6% Hydrogen peroxide contained in 16% Carbamide Peroxide). In the USA, however, they can use 25% or more of hydrogen peroxide, though this can burn gums and cause sensitivity. These effects can be permanent so the teeth whitening in America is much more high-risk.
Is hydrogen peroxide safe for your teeth?
“The main reported side effect of teeth whitening is tooth sensitivity, but it’s important to remember that this should only be temporary,” says Dr Derek Swan, dentist and partner at New Town Dental Care. “If you do start to experience sensitive teeth, try brushing with a specially targeted sensitive toothpaste to help reduce this, and it should fade over time. Some patients also report a soreness of the gums, but again this should be a temporary effect that will subside. To avoid causing sore gums, make sure that you’re not using too much whitening gel in your at-home applications, and be sure to wipe away any excess gel from the gums, as this can cause soreness. If your symptoms persist, visit your dentist.” Also, it's worth bearing in mind that veneers are often not compatible with most whitening methods such as hydrogen peroxide, so make sure to consult with a dentist before investing in a new product.
When it comes to the question of whether teeth whitening damages the enamel, Dr Ayah Siddiqi, advanced aesthetic practitioner, cosmetic dentist and CurrentBody resident LED expert, explains that the answer is a firm no. “The main portion of the tooth, the dentin, is the portion of the tooth that’s responsible for your teeth’s colour. The teeth are first coated with a whitening solution on the front surface of the tooth,” she says. “The solution will then travel through the tooth enamel to the dentin. The stained tissue in the inner layer will begin to lighten.”
Does LED teeth whitening actually work?
The whitening lamps used in clinics are of a very high grade so get very good effects. And while at-home LED kits may not be just as effective, they've improved significantly in the past several years and should definitely not be slept on.
CurrentBody's Teeth Whitening Kit is a great example of this – this device uses three LED wavelengths to give you the smile you deserve. “Infrared light accelerates the ‘wound healing cells’ to mimic injury, creating new cells and improving oxygen levels,” says Dr Siddiqi. “The PAP gel is syringed onto the medical-grade silicone ‘shield’ and then placed onto the teeth. This causes a chemical reaction (oxidation) with the stains on the surface of the teeth, breaking [them] down.”
You would generally expect to see an improvement of 5-10 shades from teeth whitening involving an in-clinic treatment. But according to Dr Swan, it's important to manage expectations. "Not everybody will achieve a Hollywood smile in one session,” he says. “Everybody’s teeth are different, and therefore they respond to treatment differently too. The thickness of your enamel will affect how well the whitening ‘takes’; if you have enamel wear, it will take more time for the teeth to whiten. Plus, if you have any fillings, bridges, crowns or implants, these will not whiten – you might have to consider having these changed after the whitening process if you’d like them to match your new smile.
Are there any natural alternatives?
Some people swear by swilling coconut oil for whiter teeth or use activated charcoal in an attempt to remove stains. And while both can produce minor results, hydrogen peroxide is the most effective method.
Another alternative is a high-tech water flosser like the Waterpik or Spotlight Oral Care's new Water Flosser with UV Steriliser. “The Waterpik Whitening Water Flosser is one way to help maintain a naturally beautiful smile and restore natural whiteness by gently and safely remove stains from hard-to-reach areas. The device uses a fresh mint whitening tablet which is inserted into the handle to remove stains while you floss. It’s perfect for those who don’t want to use harsh bleaching chemicals or undergo expensive whitening treatments," says Dr Eskander.
