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The Black'N'White Facts On Teeth Whitening

  By Dr. Harold Katz
  Founder, California Breath Clinics

Why Have Whiter Teeth?

Warm, open smile exudes confidence:
We never get a second chance to make a first impression. Right or wrong, people are judged by their smile. When we are confident that our teeth are white (and our breath is fresh!), we add to our poise and self-assuredness. GOOD!

Appearance of good personal hygiene is essential:
Even if we brush our teeth regularly, stained yellow teeth (and bad breath!) detract from our overall appearance and project an image of bad personal hygiene and neglect. NOT GOOD!

Whiter teeth make us look a little younger:
As we age (or use very harsh oral products), our tooth enamel (the outer layer of our teeth) erodes, allowing the dark yellow dentin layer, just underneath the enamel, to become more visible. For most people, whiter teeth can minimize the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles, resulting in a more energetic, youthful appearance. GOOD!

The vital ingredient to being well-dressed:
According to a recent study by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 85% of adults believe that an unattractive smile makes a person less appealing. On the flip side, an inviting white-teeth smile, along with the confidence it exudes, invites attention. People spend untold amounts of money on designer fashions and coiffures, from top to bottom, and sadly, many neglect their teeth and oral health. NOT GOOD!

What Are The Causes Of Tooth Discoloration?
Yellow, stained or discolored teeth may, or may not, be our own fault. In any case, here are some possible causes.

Drinks and Foods:
Tooth enamel is somewhat porous. If a drink can stain a white T-shirt, it can also stain our teeth. Red wine, coffee, dark soft drinks, colas, tea, blueberries, cranberry and pomegranate juice are capable of discoloring our teeth. Beware of extremely hot or cold liquids. They can change temperature of our teeth, cause them to expand or contract and allow stains to penetrate our teeth more easily.

Smoking:
Most likely, everyone on the planet knows that smoking stains our teeth. If we catch the smoking stains early, most of them can be removed. However, as time goes by and the staining spreads deeper into the enamel, they are much more difficult to remove. Eventually, smoking will discolour our teeth - permanently! And smoking is also devastating for our breath and gums!

Poor Dental Hygiene:
To keep our teeth white, healthy and to help prevent bleeding gums and gum disease, regular brushing, flossing, dental checkups and cleanings are a must!

Medications and Disease:
Long term use of some medications can cause tooth discoloration, such as antihistamines, antidepressants, some acne and arthritis treatments, as well as chemotherapy. Use of antibiotics, such as doxycycline and tetracycline, may cause a permanent gray-brown discoloration that is almost impossible to whiten.

Mouthwash:
Recent research shows that the mouthwash ingredients cetylpyridinium chloride and chlorhexidine can also stain teeth and existing white fillings. Also, some artificial colours in popular mouthwash brands can cause staining. Always look for oral products that do not use artificial colours or flavours. A recent study in the Journal of Periodontics revealed the largely unknown fact that most mouthwash formulas are extremely acidic, as acidic as a cola drink or orange juice. This acidity contributes to rapid enamel dissolution as well as tooth sensitivity.

Aging and Genetics:
As we grow older, our tooth enamel begins to thin from the wear'n'tear over the years. As the yellow dentin layer begins to show through, our teeth appear yellow and dull. As well, some people are born with naturally brighter enamel than others.

What Are The Limitations Of Teeth Whitening?
Before undergoing any type of bleaching procedure, people should test the bleaching solution on a few teeth in order to avoid long term sensitivity and pain. Because TheraBrite PLUS Formulas do not contain any peroxide, there is no need to test for sensitivity and pain, because there won't be any.

Tooth sensitivity and gum irritation:
Beware of products that boast about their high percentage of peroxide or claim to whiten teeth in less than 2-3 days. Some products may, in fact, do what they claim, but at what cost to our teeth and gums? TheraBrite PLUS Formulas have been used safely by 100,000 consumers in the US before coming to Canada.

Composite fillings, crowns and veneers:
Teeth whitening will not work on crowns, veneers or composite fillings. Furthermore, whitening could result in different colored teeth and this unsightly situation necessitates replacing the crown - yet another exorbitant cost!

Gum disease, cavities and worn tooth enamel:
Teeth whitening bleach may not be effective in these cases. If people are diagnosed with gum disease or tooth decay, they should take care of their teeth and gums before beginning any type of bleaching or whitening. Worn teeth will not whiten as well as healthy teeth because there is very little enamel available to treat.

Age:
Teeth whitening is not recommended for people under the age of 18 because at this age, teeth are still developing and nerves are enlarged. The teeth whitening process could cause tooth sensitivity and damage. Because TheraBrite PLUS Formulas do not use any peroxide, they can be used by people of all ages - even children - because they are safe and natural.

Pregnancy and Allergies:
Because swallowing even the smallest amount of whitening bleach can be harmful to a fetus, teeth whitening is not recommended for women who are pregnant or lactating. Also, people allergic to peroxide should not use any teeth whitening products. TheraBrite PLUS Formulas can be used by everyone, all the time, because it does not use any peroxides.

Great Expectations:
Many people expect glistening, shining white teeth the very first time they whiten. Results depend upon genetics, condition of the teeth and the method used. Bleaching is not permanent. If lucky, the treatment will last up to a year, before another treatment is required. Because TheraBrite PLUS Formulas are used as a twice daily oral hygiene program, people whiten their teeth every time they brush and rinse. It's the only whitening system that people of all ages can use everyday no fear of harm or sensitivity.

What About Teeth Whitening With Home Remedies?
There's a lot of misinformation about teeth whitening with home remedies. Some remedies can be helpful, while others can be very dangerous for teeth and gums, resulting in permanent damage.

Lemon Juice:
Brushing your teeth with lemon juice or rubbing the lemon peel across your teeth is a common whitening method - and it's also one of the worst! The citric acid in the juice robs the tooth enamel of necessary calcium, thereby causing teeth to decay much faster. With prolonged use, lemon juice can completely strip away the enamel and teeth can become damaged beyond repair.

Strawberries:
Brushing your teeth with strawberries that have been mashed into a pasty pulp can taste good, but it's as harmful as brushing with lemon juice and for the same reasons. Strawberries contain acid and the seeds can damage gums and teeth.

Hardwood Ash (Lye):
Another home remedy to avoid! The potassium hydroxide in hardwood ash is a bleaching agent and if used regularly for brushing, can whiten teeth. However, the potassium can also harm tooth enamel and furthermore, it tastes awful! We are talking about improving our health - not cleaning our drains.

Baking Soda:
Brushing with a baking soda and salt mixture is a long-standing home remedy that can, in some circumstances, remove stains, especially with the help of peroxide. However, people must brush gently around the gums to avoid serious irritation and furthermore, brushing should never be done for more than three days in a row to avoid gum recession.

Peroxide:
The ever popular peroxide remedy requires brushing teeth normally, swishing peroxide around the teeth, and then rinsing with water. Some people claim this method whitens teeth. However, over-the-counter peroxide is not nearly as concentrated as the peroxide in teeth whiteners, and longtime use can irritate gums and cause tooth sensitivity. Peroxide breaks down inside the mouth into free hydroxyl radicals which can easily damage gum tissue.

Crunchy Vegetables:
Eat those veggies! Celery, carrots, broccoli and cucumbers are naturally abrasive and can act like little toothbrushes to scrub away stains, depending on your discoloration. But veggies alone will never get your teeth pearly white.