subject: The Finer Points of Smile Whitening (Tooth Whitening) by Eric N. Rabovsky, D.D.S [print this page] The Finer Points of Smile Whitening (Tooth Whitening) by Eric N. Rabovsky, D.D.S
The Finer Points of Smile Whitening.
By: Eric N. Rabovsky, D.D.S.With the wild popularity of whitening products available on the market these days, I receive many questions about whitening from my patients. I would like to use this article as an opportunity to answer some questions about whitening. Here are some questions that patients often ask me in reference to whitening.Will whitening damage the enamel on my teeth? The answer is no, whitening does not damage tooth enamel in any way. Whitening is based on peroxide, which is also used to lighten hair. In the dental use, it passes through small pores in the enamel and breaks up small stain-producing proteins in the deeper layers of the tooth. The peroxides do not change the structure of the tooth while they are working, but the end result is that the tooth appears whiter. Whitening was discovered as a by product of using peroxides to treat gum disease- after treatment the patient's teeth were whiter! The symptom that patients most often report during the use of whitening products is sensitivity to cold, which goes away after the treatment is over.How white will my teeth get? Unfortunately, the answer is not straight forward. The ultimate degree of whiteness depends on several factors, including the initial color of the teeth, what they are stained by, and also if there are any crowns, bridges, fillings in the teeth to be whitened. Teeth that are a creamy yellow shade whiten the best and teeth that are grayish whiten the worst. Tetracycline stained teeth do not whiten well, but teeth stained by cigarettes or coffee will whiten nicely. Porcelain or white filling material does not whiten, which becomes a concern for patients with crowns or fillings in the front teeth.What is the best product for whitening my teeth? There are so many products available for whitening teeth, ranging from paint-on and toothpaste to professional in-office whitening treatments. The bottom line for whitening is that the peroxide ingredients need to be in contact with the tooth surface long enough to do their job. If saliva or the tongue interrupts the contact, there will be no whitening. This is why whitening toothpaste or mouth rinses will have no effect. Imagine brushing or rinsing for 20+ minutes! The best ways to effective and safe whitening is to see your dentist for an evaluation and have them recommend the appropriate product.The professionally dispensed/administered products I recommend have been used by my employees and myself and are known to work effectively. We have take-home treatments which require no molds to be taken of the mouth (and are inexpensive) as well as in-office treatments which require no take home materials. I can be reached at info@crownsvilledental.com or (410) 923-0110 with questions pertaining to whitening or any other dental treatment.http://www.articlesbase.com/dental-care-articles/the-finer-points-of-smile-whitening-tooth-whitening-by-eric-n-rabovsky-dds-3818433.html
