Every time you flip through a magazine or watch TV, does someone's perfect white gleaming smile catch your eye? You think, ‘they’re so lucky, why didn't Mother Nature give me a smile like that? Don't despair. Most of us were not given such a perfect, gleaming white smile by Mother Nature, but technology today can do almost anything, and even outsmart Mother Nature herself.
Whitening is an aesthetic dental procedure that changes the existing tooth colour making it several shades lighter. Aesthetic dentistry today is unthinkable without modern methods of teeth whitening. Whitening itself does not represent a new trend in dentistry, which is evidenced by the fact that the first recorded tooth whitening procedures, with various methods and attempts, date back to the 19th century. However, the initial results did not meet patients' expectations.
Tooth discolouration is a major aesthetic problem. Nowadays, a healthy, beautiful and radiant smile is one of the biggest aesthetic features of any person. There are various causes that can lead to tooth discolouration, from genetic and degenerative changes, vitamin and mineral preparations, to antibiotics, to the consumption of coloured foods and beverages, and even ageing. Poor dental care is also one of the causes of tooth discolouration.
It is important to emphasise that there are 2 types of bleaching products – whitening products and bleaching products. Whitening products are used to remove various pigments (coffee, tea, tobacco and smoke etc.) which have accumulated on the teeth over time, and are sold daily as toothpastes and as various other products. By using them, it is not only not possible to achieve a tooth colour brighter than the existing one, but by excessive use, it can cause unwanted damage to the enamel due to the high abrasive ingredients they contain.
The bleaching group includes products that can change the existing colour of teeth to a brighter one. Such products should only be used under professional supervision. Bleaching should be avoided during pregnancy, during breast-feeding and when you have an allergy to any of the ingredients in the whitening paste. Before bleaching, patients are recommended to have any existing caries repaired and to sort out any periodontal problems and damaged fillings. It is important to emphasise that bleaching will not bleach the colour of crowns, bridges, veneers and fillings, so they should be replaced with new ones after the procedure is completed.
