Tooth Whitening
Everything you ned to know for the bright, white smile you deserve!
Tooth whitening is such an easy, affordable way to dramatically improve your smile. It’s truly the most conservative, risk-free way to dramatically improve overall facial esthetics. Afterall, the smile is a third of the entire face.
The numbers don’t lie—people are drawn to a bright smile! Americans spend over $1.4 billion annually on whitening products. Even if you think you aren’t interested in a bright smile… tell me, did you opt for the “whitening” toothpaste rather than the regular kind?!
If you’ve ever bought whitening toothpaste, hidden your smile in photos because of stains, or thought about whitening if it was affordable, then you NEED to keep reading.
So, you are interested in whitening… let’s cover what you need to know:
Some tooth discoloration comes from stains on the outside of the tooth—think dark colors from tartar build-up, cigarette smoke, red wine, etc.
Other discoloration comes from stains inside the tooth: think staining from tetracycline antibiotic use as a child, hypocalcification, tooth trauma, etc.
Abrasives (like whitening toothpaste) only remove outer tooth stain: think sandpaper for your teeth. We pretty exclusively recommend people avoid toothpastes with a whitening claim so you don’t ruin the outer enamel on your teeth.
Oxidants remove stains from inside your tooth: think hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide delivered in strips, gels, trays, etc. You can buy these products from your dentist or over the counter. Let’s break it down though: most products out there are a scam outside of what your get from your dentist professionally or Crest whitestrips. Don’t waste your money or time.
Lights and lasers in combo with tooth whitening of any kind are 100% a scam- DON’T DO IT! All these things do is dehydrate the teeth, making them look initially whiter, but then they rebound back to their original rehydrated, darker state within hours.
Whitening of any kind can cause sensitivity. Use a desensitizer or even just a sensitivity toothpaste for two weeks prior to whitening such as SLS-free Sensodyne pronamel, FYGG, or professional strength toothpaste..
Make sure you get a full dental check-up before whitening to ensure you don’t have any other problems causing your teeth to appear darkened or stained, like cavities, recession, or tooth infection. Plus, you’ll want to get your teeth professionally cleaned to remove tartar and deposits on the teeth.
Dark tooth root colors showing because of gum recession will not whiten. Only the enamel part of your tooth will whiten. Again, this is why it’s important to have a dental checkup before whitening: your dentist can recommend ways to address dark tooth roots to improve esthetics without damaging the root or the tooth.
Take a starting picture!
When administered correctly, tooth whitening is one of the safest, most conservative, least expensive, and most effective cosmetic procedures available to patients!
The Gold Standard: 10% Carbamide Peroxide
10% carbamide peroxide is considered the gold standard for tooth whitening. Here’s why:
Minimizes Sensitivity: Unlike higher concentrations, 10% carbamide peroxide provides effective whitening while reducing post-operative sensitivity.
Improves Gingival Health: Research shows that it can reduce bacteria that contribute to gum disease, promoting healthier gums.
Prevents White Spot Lesions: Patients undergoing orthodontic treatment can benefit from its ability to prevent decalcification “white spots” by killing cavity forming bacteria and maintaining a non-acidic oral environment .
Cavity Prevention: With a high pH of 8, 10% carbamide peroxide helps neutralize acids that lead to cavities, so it has been shown to be an effective anti-cavity treatment.
Long-Lasting Action: It remains active for 6-10 hours, providing sustained whitening effects overnight.
Penetrates the Entire Tooth: Unlike surface treatments, it reaches deep stains, including brown discoloration and stubborn tetracycline stains.
Can Whiten Under Veneers: If veneers begin to look grey or dark over time, 10% carbamide peroxide can brighten the natural tooth underneath.
Can whiten anything from nicotine stain to tetracycline stain: In 2-4 weeks of sleeping in custom trays with 10% carbamide peroxide whitening product delivered from your dentist, most people can achieve maximum whitening with little to no rebound or need to touch up over the long term. Darker and deeper stains like tetracycline take an average of 3-4 months of nighttime tray/product wear to reach maximum whitening, although depending on the person, you can see results in 1-12 months.
What Products Are Out There?
“Whitening” Toothpaste: Most whitening toothpastes are abrasive, meaning they sand away stains—but also enamel. My recommendation: avoid them and let us clean your teeth professionally! Stick with a sensitivity brand toothpaste instead.
Charcoal Toothpaste: Even more abrasive than whitening toothpaste—avoid it!
OTC Whitening Products (Strips, Gels, etc.): These products often contain lower concentrations of active ingredients and lack clinical evidence for long-term effectiveness. Most on the market are scams.
Lights and Lasers Used in Whitening Procedures: There is no clinical evidence that lights or lasers improve whitening. However, they can increase sensitivity and temporarily dehydrate teeth, making them look whiter for a few hours before fading.
Non-Professional Teeth Whitening (Booths, Salons, etc.): These unregulated services often use ineffective techniques, such as light-activated gel, which can cause sensitivity without delivering real results. Not to mention, they lack the ability to diagnose if darkened teeth are from pathology or not.
Universal Fit Trays from Your Dentist: Products like Opalescence Go provide an affordable, ready-to-use option without the need for impressions. Wear them for 30 minutes to an hour for noticeable results in 1-2 weeks. These products aren’t typically 10% carbamide peroxide, so use them strictly for whitening and none of the other benefits.
Custom Fit Trays with Take-Home Bleach: Examples include KOR whitening products which contain carbamide peroxide or Ultradent Opalescence gels. These require impressions to create custom trays but offer optimal concentrations and ingredients for results in as early as two weeks. You can also use this in clear Invisalign-style retainers!
In-Office Tooth Whitening: A great option for fast whitening, but it works best when followed up with take-home trays for long-term maintenance. Just avoid any treatment that uses light or laser activation!
With the right approach—especially using 10% carbamide peroxide—you can achieve a whiter, healthier smile safely and effectively!