Teeth whitening, also known as dental bleaching, is one of the most common treatments used in modern dentistry. It is defined by the FDA as follows: whitening treatments are a simple restoration of the natural tooth color while bleaching whitens teeth beyond their natural color.

There are various methods of treatment available. These include bleaching strips, brushing with specialized toothpaste, UV bleaching, bleaching gels and bleaching pens. Aside from being highly popular, teeth whitening is also a very successful business enterprise. In 2010 alone, more than 100 million Americans spent an estimated 15 billion dollars on teeth whitening methods and treatments.

The American Dental Association is exact in their approved whitening methods. The approved chemical for whitening procedures is carbamide peroxide. To compare it to hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide has roughly one third the strength. This means a whitening solution composed of 15 percent carbamide peroxide is equal in strength to a 5 percent solution of hydrogen peroxide. Peroxide cleans and whitens your teeth because it is an oxidizing agent. It penetrates your teeth’s enamel and removes the stains which are deposited in the underlying dentin layer. Light may also be used in professional treatments in a process called power bleaching. The addition of light accelerates the chemical reaction and the overall treatment process.

There are several methods of whitening your teeth and improving your smile. We advise our patients on which methods are best for them, based on several different factors. Overall dental sensitivity, previous dental work and the level of whitening desired are all taken into consideration. Here are some of the methods we employ at Dental Brothers.

Whitening Toothpaste

A classic approach to teeth whitening, it is also one of the easier and less invasive ways of improving the quality of your smile. Whitening toothpaste is easily purchased at your local pharmacy and other retail chains making it a convenient treatment. In general, whitening toothpaste is best for minor surface stains.

Professional Bleaching

In some instances, stains on the teeth are more dramatic. In such cases, whitening toothpaste may not be enough and more advanced methods will need to be employed. At Dental Brothers, we can have your professional treatment done in one visit and you’ll be on your way with a brighter smile.

The treatment process is relatively simple. A bleaching chemical agent is applied to your teeth to whiten them while the gums are shielded to prevent irritation. Several different types of specialized lighting (LED, plasma, etc.) may be added to the process for treatment enhancement. If your teeth are all natural, you can have a professional bleaching done immediately.

Home Bleaching Treatments

Another approved method of teeth whitening is an at home treatment. You may find this preferable as it is affordable and allows you to treat your teeth on your own schedule. A common at home treatment procedure involves a peroxide based whitener applied via a fitted mouth guard. While more convenient, it does take several days of treatment to complete the procedure.