Teeth whitening is restoring a tooth’s surface color by removing dirt and debris. Teeth bleaching, on the other hand, is a process of whitening the teeth beyond its natural color.

Teeth whitening is the only purely cosmetic procedure being offered in a dental clinic. This makes it the most sought after cosmetic dentistry service today.

Bleaching can be done in-office by your dentist or at home. The in-office method or laser teeth whitening method gives the fastest results with the help of light and heat. This is also the safest and quickest method, since it is monitored and done by a professional. This can be done in around 30 – 60 minutes.

The take home whitening, or over the counter whitening kits, are more affordable than the in-office method, however, the whitening process is only achieved after a period of time and the improvement is quite limited.

• Sensitivity

• Gum irritation

• Root resorption

• Carcinogenic effects (only when in combination with smoking)

• Changes in the oral flora.

However, almost all side effects are reversible in nature.

Causes of Tooth Discoloration:

As a person ages, the adult teeth become darker due to changes in the mineral of the tooth. Teeth can also become stained by bacterial pigments and food. Anti-bacterial medications such as tetracycline can also cause teeth stains. Colored liquids like coffee, tea and red wine can also discolor teeth.

WRITTEN BY: DR. MARIA ANA MAGLUTAC | EDITED BY: DR. RICHELLE RAMIREZ