What is Teeth Whitening and Is It Harmful?

Teeth whitening is a procedure used to lighten the color of teeth that individuals are dissatisfied with. It is a method applied to lighten the natural color of the teeth by a few shades, especially in cases where teeth have darkened due to external factors or have a naturally darker shade due to genetics. This treatment involves the dissolution of colored organic and inorganic substances within the enamel, the outermost layer of the tooth, through special gels activated by lasers or home-use gels.

Factors that contribute to the yellowing of teeth over time (such as tea, cigarettes, coffee, cola, red wine, excessive consumption of tomato paste, etc.) will not allow the teeth to return to their original whiteness even if these substances are stopped. Smiling confidently is a natural right and need for everyone. Here, teeth whitening emerges as an effective cosmetic and aesthetic solution. Teeth whitening is a distinct procedure from teeth cleaning (scaling and polishing) and should follow it for best results. Teeth cleaning removes plaque, tartar, and stains from the tooth surface, allowing the whitening gel to work more effectively and achieve better results.

Methods of Teeth Whitening

There are two methods of application:

• Office Whitening: This is performed by your dentist in the clinic. Initially, special barriers and materials protect the lips, cheeks, and gums. Then, a whitening gel is applied to the tooth surfaces, and it is activated under special light or laser for 15-30 minutes. The gel is then thoroughly washed off and barriers are removed. This procedure is not painful at all. If the patient experiences sensitivity during the procedure, the gel should be removed before the time is up. Therefore, teeth whitening should be performed without anesthesia. A single session will only whiten the enamel and may not be sufficient. To achieve effective and lasting whitening, 3 sessions are required. On the day of the whitening session, the patient may experience some sensitivity. This is a temporary condition and does not occur in every patient, as it is related to the tooth's anatomy. After the procedure, it is essential to avoid consuming staining foods for the rest of the day.
• Home Whitening: After office whitening, impressions are taken from the patient to create custom whitening trays. In home whitening, these trays must be customized for the individual. The patient fills these trays with home-use whitening gel provided by the dentist and follows the instructions given by the dentist.

The results of teeth whitening (bleaching) may revert over a few years, but this varies from person to person. Factors such as tooth structure, oral hygiene habits, diet, and smoking can affect this duration. By paying attention to these factors and following your dentist's recommendations, color reversal will be minimal.

When performed correctly with the right materials by a dentist, teeth whitening can be done once a year and is considered safe according to the literature.