Lack of tooth brushing habits, foods consumed, old age and many other reasons cause teeth to stain and lose their whiteness. Although people make a personal effort to whiten their teeth again, these efforts usually do not yield results. For this reason, teeth whitening procedures should be planned under the supervision of a physician and specifically for patients.
What are the Causes of Stains on Teeth?
Staining of the teeth can be caused by the internal or external structure of the tooth, or it can develop due to reasons such as old age. Staining of teeth is most commonly caused by the following reasons:
- Excessive use of fluoride or tetracycline-containing drugs during childhood,
- Febrile illnesses during the development and establishment of teeth,
- Antibiotics used during pregnancy,
- Fractures in the teeth due to trauma,
- Tooth decay or dental infections,
- Teeth-staining drinks such as tea, coffee, wine, cola, dark juices and similar drinks.
- Teeth whitening can be performed with different methods depending on the extent of staining on the teeth. Your dentist will decide on the method used.
Methods Used in Teeth Whitening
In teeth whitening, 3 different methods can be used: home, office and single teeth whitening.
Depending on the extent of the staining on the teeth, only one of these methods can be used or all of them can be used together.
The details of the methods in question are as follows:
- Home Teeth Whitening: Home teeth whitening is a method developed to be applied in the patient's sleep. The measurements taken from the teeth by the physician are sent to the laboratory where a plaque suitable for the patient's teeth is prepared. Before going to bed, the patient applies a teeth whitening gel into this plaque and sleeps in this way. The needed whitening usually takes place within a few weeks.
- Office Teeth Whitening: This method has a short treatment time and is therefore ideal for people who are busy or have limited time. In office-type teeth whitening, soft tissues are isolated using a special substance and a teeth whitening gel is applied to the teeth. Immediately afterwards, a laser is used to activate the gel. For teeth whitening with this method, 2 sessions applied 1 week apart are sufficient depending on the condition of the teeth.
- Single Tooth Whitening: In this method, which is suitable for teeth that have undergone root canal treatment, the filling on the tooth is first removed. When the filling is removed, tooth whitening gel is applied to the resulting cavity and a temporary filling is placed on it. This method, which can be repeated 3 days apart, can be continued until the teeth reach the desired whiteness.
In order to maintain the whiteness of the teeth after teeth whitening, individuals should pay attention to oral and dental care. At this point, it is of great importance to follow the doctor's recommendations. Thus, the procedure does not need to be repeated in a short time.
