What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening uses a bleaching product or an abrasive to make teeth whiter. Teeth whitening isn't a medical procedure—it doesn't result in healthier teeth. But it can result in a brighter smile. This in turn can make people feel better about themselves. Teeth whitening works better for some types of stains than others.
What are the types of teeth whitening?
There are two types of teeth whitening.
- Bleaching.
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Bleaching your teeth changes the color of the tooth enamel and removes both surface stains and those deeper in the teeth. Your dentist can bleach your teeth at their office. Or you can do it yourself with a kit your dentist gives you or with a kit you buy at a store. The chemical used to bleach teeth is generally carbamide peroxide. Different products use different concentrations of this chemical.
- Whitening toothpaste.
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Whitening toothpastes use a rough (abrasive) material that "scrapes" off surface stains and polishes the teeth.
How well does teeth bleaching work?
Talk to your dentist before whitening your teeth. Teeth bleaching works best on natural teeth.
Bleaching may not work if you've had bonding or have tooth-colored fillings in your teeth. The bleach won't change the color of these materials, so they will stand out if you whiten the rest of your teeth.
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