Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments for brightening and enhancing smiles. However, there are many myths about how whitening works that lead people to try home remedies or over-the-counter (OTC) products that can actually damage teeth. This article sets the record straight by providing the truth about how teeth whitening works, including what causes staining and why whitening isn’t always successful.

Achieve a Brighter Smile with Professional Teeth Whitening at Silverdale Dental

Tooth stains are a result of organic compounds that have accumulated in the enamel and dentin over time. Bleaching treatments use chemicals to break down these chromogens and minimize their appearance, making the teeth appear lighter in color. The most common bleaching agent is hydrogen peroxide, which breaks down into water and oxygen when applied to the surface of the tooth. These oxygen molecules then penetrate the enamel and dentin, where they oxidize (change chemical structure) the chromogens, leaving them lighter in color. Some OTC and in-office whitening options may also contain carbamide peroxide, which works similarly to hydrogen peroxide.

Whitening strips and gels use varying concentrations of peroxide and application times, but most can lighten teeth by up to two shades in 14 days. Whitening rinses and toothpastes use lower concentrations of whitening agents, but they take longer to achieve noticeable results. Professional whitening treatments can provide the fastest and most dramatic whitening results.

Certain stains are not responsive to whitening, such as tetracycline staining, which can be caused by antibiotics or other medications. These stains may need to be addressed with other treatment options, such as veneers or bonding materials.