Teeth whitening? – methods, side effects and costs

Teeth whitening? - methods, side effects and costs

Teeth whitening? – methods, side effects and costs

Teeth should be healthy, straight and above all white. Dark teeth look unaesthetic. However, many people struggle with yellow teeth and use methods of tooth bleaching, both professional bleaching and tips on using home remedies such as Baking soda, for use.

What is tooth whitening?

Under the term bleaching (English for bleaching) methods for teeth whitening are summarized. Patients’ dream of white teeth is fulfilled. Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide are used. These substances decompose pigments contained in the tooth structure by oxidizing them. The teeth are thus brightened. Bleaching is carried out when the natural tooth has a dark or yellowish color. Discoloration can occur, especially as a result of the frequent consumption of coffee, red wine, tea and nicotine.

Teeth whitening – What does professional teeth whitening look like??

You should have a professional tooth cleaning done before bleaching, since the removal of biofilm and tartar allows the bleaching agent to penetrate the tooth substance better.

What methods are there??

A distinction is made between two bleaching methods: external and internal bleaching. Internal whitening (also power bleaching or in-office bleaching) is a tooth whitening that is carried out in a dental practice. With home whitening, teeth whitening is only taken care of there.

How does the treatment work?

The dentist uses a concentrated whitening agent for in-office bleaching. This is applied directly to the discolored teeth and is then activated by a whitening lamp or a soft laser. The peroxide disintegrates and the resulting active oxygen can develop its bleaching effect. This form of whitening only needs one session to whiten the teeth. Another common method of teeth whitening consists in bleaching systems that use a plastic rail loaded with the bleach. The splint is inserted by the dentist during the treatment and removed again after about an hour. The patient can also take home the necessary materials for home bleaching. There he has to fill the whitening splint with bleaching gel every day and wear it for a certain time. The application time for home bleaching is usually 2-3 weeks. Then the first successes are clearly visible, the smile appears white and radiant.

What is the result??

The prospects of long-term lightening are good for most patients who can be treated in a practice. The result is often stable over a long period of time, however, a slight darkening can be noticed over time, which can be remedied by refreshing bleaching. Overall, however, the teeth remain lighter.

Bleaching teeth with whitening products from the drugstore?

Drugstores now offer a whole range of products that promise teeth whitening and, in addition to tried-and-tested home remedies, are often used at home.

Whitening products: which are there?

Bleaching gel (whitening gel), whitening pen, strips, splints or toothpaste for white teeth are available at a small price in the drugstore, but often do not produce the desired result.

How does the treatment work?

Toothpastes for white teeth contain phosphates and cleaning agents that reduce external discoloration by loosening the deposits and sanding them at the same time. The bleaches that may be present have hardly any effect. A toothpaste for white teeth can only reduce the discoloration and at the most help to restore the natural tooth color. However, this can also be done with normal toothpaste. Small gel-containing strips are referred to as whitening or white strips. Some disintegrate by themselves, others have to be removed. It should be used daily for a period of one to two weeks. This gel contains hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide in a very small dose (under 0.1 percent according to the EU directive) and the effect is therefore rather disappointing.

What is the result??

Even if a small change occurs, it quickly disappears. Home treatment does not give good results. In most cases, there is no clear brightening.

Can I bleach my teeth at home using home remedies??

Home remedies for whiter teeth are often described as a natural and gentle treatment for white teeth. Unfortunately, this does not apply to every remedy. Even the best home remedies for white teeth can damage individual teeth in the long term and, in the worst case, even intensify discoloration. Even if you achieve a brightening effect after a short time with tips of this type, these tips for bleaching should be used with caution.

What home remedies provide for white teeth?

apples: Apples have a cleaning effect when chewed. The acid can have a lightening effect. When chewing, the gums are massaged, the flow of saliva is stimulated and there is a cleansing effect.

soda: Soda has an abrasive effect. This temporarily reduces discoloration. However, the use is not recommended, especially for sensitive teeth, since the enamel is rubbed off and staining substances can be deposited again more quickly.

Baking powder: Baking soda has been the best home treatment for beautiful teeth for years. The raising agent does indeed help to make the teeth lighter, but the baking powder on the other hand ensures extreme sanding. It is strongly advised not to use it.

Strawberry: The small seeds on the surface of the strawberry have proven themselves as home remedies. They remove residues and the acidity of crushed strawberries has a brightening effect. Whitening is rarely used, however, and tooth enamel suffers when used frequently.

Indian basil: Chewing the leaves promotes blood circulation, stimulates the flow of saliva and reduces the bacteria in the mouth. The leaves can be chewed daily. However, ground Indian basil has a grinding effect and should be used at most every two weeks.

Activated carbon: This home remedy can now also be found in many whitening toothpastes. However, grated, medical activated carbon also acts as a grinding cleaning body. It should therefore only be used rarely so as not to cause lasting damage to the enamel.

Coconut oil: Coconut oil is said to fight tooth decay and thus prevent caries-related discoloration. Regular cleaning or oil drawing with coconut oil has a positive effect on the pH in the mouth and protects against stains and damage in the mouth.

Turmeric: The yellow spice home remedy acts as an abrasive cleaning body and can therefore cause white teeth.

Clove oil: The components can kill germs and thus prevent caries-related discoloration. To whiten, a few drops should be put on the toothpaste. The oil can also be used as a mouthwash when dissolved in water.

Niembaum and Niemöl: These have been proven to promote the health of teeth and gums. They should be used on toothpaste, by chewing the branches or by pulling oil.

Olive oil: This home remedy is said to be used in conjunction with salt. Salt and olive oil are mixed and used as toothpaste. The salt has an abrasive effect, while the oil binds coloring tannins and thereby removes them from the teeth.

Orange peel: The vitamin C and calcium contained in orange peel is said to fight microorganisms on the teeth and thus ensure white teeth.

Sage: To whiten the teeth, you can chew one or two fresh sage leaves after eating and rub them repeatedly over the tooth fronts with your tongue.

hydrogen peroxide: The solution has been shown to brighten, teeth appear whiter, reduce the number of germs in the mouth and can help with inflammation. It should be used in the form of a three percent hydrogen peroxide solution that is also diluted with water.

lemon juice: The acidity of the lemon juice has a bleaching effect, but it also attacks the enamel.

Overall, it is advisable to avoid simple household remedies such as baking soda, which permanently damage the tooth enamel.

What foods make yellow teeth?

Acids that we ingest with food attack the enamel and our teeth become increasingly discolored with age. A number of foods are responsible for deposits on the teeth, which can also cause dark teeth or stains.

The following foods should be avoided or only consumed to a limited extent in order to keep a white smile for a long time:

  • Acidic fruit juices
  • White and red wine
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Soft drinks like cola, fanta and co.
  • Spices like curry or saffron
  • nicotine
  • Chemical chlorine water
  • Coffee and black tea

What does bleaching cost??

Teeth bleaching is considered a cosmetic treatment and is associated with high costs.

Professional teeth cleaning in advance: Healthy gums and caries-free teeth are prerequisites for any teeth whitening. Only clean and healthy teeth can become bright again. For this reason, professional teeth cleaning, before teeth whitening, must be carried out. Professional tooth cleaning can cost 40 to 100 euros, depending on the dental practice.

Bleaching at the dentist (office bleaching): At the dentist you have to expect 30 to 70 euros per tooth. Light-assisted power whitening, which is used for lightening, can cost a total of up to 700 euros. Depending on the dentist’s practice, prices can vary widely.

Home teeth whitening: The custom-made rail usually costs between 200 and 300 euros. However, the costs for the whitening gel are added.

Whitening in the studio: The cost of a whitening treatment in the studio is between 100 and 700 euros, depending on the scope

Bleaching of individual teeth with walking bleach: Internal bleaching is also known as the walking bleaching technique. The cost is 70 to 100 euros per tooth.

Whiten teeth at home: Anyone who lends a hand to teeth bleaching will get away cheaply. Commercial bleaching products such as pastes, gels, strips or splints cost between 4 and 90 euros.

Which treatments are covered by the SHI?

Teeth whitening is generally not covered by the statutory health insurance companies. Whitening is not medically necessary and is part of aesthetic dentistry.

Risks and side effects of bleaching?

Medical bleaching is a long-proven and scientifically well documented method to make the teeth shine white again. However, tooth whitening can still have risks and side effects that overshadow the whitening:

  • Gum irritation
  • increased sensitivity, especially with exposed tooth necks
  • in tooth decay, tooth whitening can severely damage the tooth nerve
  • Bleaching changes the enamel surface
  • Whitening always only brightens the natural teeth – crowns, veneers or fillings do not change the shade
  • Teeth whitening methods should not be used more than twice a year

How do I prevent discoloration in good time??

Regular brushing is an absolute preventative measure against discolored teeth. Without thorough dental care, plaque and tartar form, which can cause discoloration. Professional tooth cleaning at the dentist should also be part of the usual preventive care. The treatment has its price, but tooth stains, plaque and stone are effectively removed. At the end of a treatment, the tooth surfaces are polished, making it more difficult for new dental plaque and discoloration. Statutory health insurance companies do not pay for professional teeth cleaning. The Stiftung Warentest test winner DFV-ZahnSchutz Exklusiv 100 takes up to 100% reimbursement for the costs of professional tooth cleaning as well as for all other dental treatments, dentures, dental implants and for orthodontics. You will never be asked to check out at the dentist again and keep your radiant smile.

Related Posts

Like this post? Please share to your friends:
Christina Cherry
Leave a Reply

;-) :| :x :twisted: :smile: :shock: :sad: :roll: :razz: :oops: :o :mrgreen: :lol: :idea: :grin: :evil: :cry: :cool: :arrow: :???: :?: :!: