Overview of various types and methods of teeth whitening

Generally speaking, all methods of teeth whitening can be divided into two large groups: professional and home. Moreover, the latter have become very popular today, since few people like to go to the dentist once again, even if he is not going to drill anything for you and, moreover, to rip it off.

However, before starting your journey to a snow-white smile, it will be useful to first figure out what types of teeth whitening exist today, how they differ in principle, and which one is the most effective. In addition, in the pursuit of effectiveness, we must not forget that many types of teeth whitening have a very negative effect on the state of tooth enamel - and this also needs to be known in advance.

So if you were already planning to smear something on your teeth, rub it on something, or douse it with hydrogen peroxide, we suggest postponing your chemical experiments for a while and approaching the issue more systematically.

On a note

Today, such types of teeth whitening as mechanical, ultrasonic, laser, photo-whitening, intra-channel, as well as whitening using pencils, capes, special strips, etc. are heard. It may seem to an unprepared person that ways to lighten enamel are just a lot, and that understanding all this is very difficult.

In fact, everything is quite simple - all these methods of teeth whitening are inherently divided into chemical and mechanical.

Chemical tooth whitening is, in simple terms, the destruction of colored organic compounds inside the enamel using special substances. In such cases, a chemical agent is always required that can destroy and discolor pigments (for example, oxidize them) that appear in the surface layer of tooth enamel over many years of smoking, abuse of coffee, strong tea, red wine, etc.

Mechanical tooth whitening is, in fact, professional oral hygiene, which many dentists do not even consider whitening (although the procedure gives a very pronounced visual effect). Imagine healthy white teeth, but coated with brown tartar and stained plaque. With the mechanical removal of all these unwanted deposits, a person can sparkle with a snow-white smile again - but nobody actually bleached his teeth (enamel) at the same time.

Occupational hygiene may include ultrasonic teeth whitening using special devices and scalers, brushing your teeth with Air-Flow, and removing plaque with special pastes. The benefit of professional brushing for an ordinary person is that two birds with one stone can be killed at once for a relatively low price: rid the teeth of the traumatic gum stone and plaque, which creates caries risks, and at the same time “brighten” the teeth by a tone or more without directly affecting the internal enamel structures.

 

Mechanical teeth whitening: principle of operation

As already noted above, mechanical teeth whitening is such a way of lightening them that removes dental deposits (stones, plaque), which ultimately leads to the return of the natural natural color of the teeth.

Often, those people who for years have grown on their teeth “smoker's plaque”, “coffee lover”, as well as conglomerates of stones (most often on the lower front teeth) have long forgotten how normal their clean teeth should look. But in such cases, you need to look not for peroxide-containing pencils or strips for teeth whitening, but to focus primarily on professional oral hygiene - this will give a much greater effect.

On a note

Among the mechanical methods of teeth whitening, the most common today is ultrasonic whitening. Despite the active use of Air-Flow devices for professional toothbrushing, it is not yet possible to completely replace ultrasound. This is due to the fact that the Air-Flow device does not remove tartar, although it partially affects their “loosening”.

An important property of mechanical whitening is relative safety for tooth enamel, after all, the main effect is carried out not on the enamel, but on the deposits located on its surface.

However, there are often cases when, after carrying out the appropriate procedure, rather unpleasant consequences may appear. Due to the fact that the removal of tartar and plaque is often carried out against a background of periodontal diseases (for example, periodontitis), after the procedure, the cervical areas of the teeth are practically unprotected. Before that, stones saved them from all types of irritants, and after their removal the neck of the teeth begins to respond with pain to cold, hot, etc. (This is confirmed by numerous reviews on the Internet).

This problem is most often resolved by a periodontist who treats the underlying disease and simultaneously remineralizes and deeply fluorinates hypersensitive enamel and (in some cases) root cement.

Below we will talk about the use of so-called whitening toothpastes, abrasive systems which, when misused, can cause considerable harm to the teeth due to mechanical abrasion of enamel.

When is teeth whitening really needed, and when is it redundant?

As practice shows, out of 10 people who go to the dentist for a teeth whitening procedure, only for about 6-7 of them it will really be appropriate, and for the rest it will be either ineffective (since the enamel is already close to the natural shade), or extremely unsafe.

Cases in which whitening will be effective:

• The presence of plaque and dental plaque;
• Enamel shade change due to age;
• Acquired staining of hard tooth tissues in yellow or brown.

Hard to whiten:

• Congenital violation of the color of enamel (for example, the so-called tetracycline teeth);
• Gray staining;
• Color change of naked dentin.

Staining against the background of plaque and tartar is eliminated by mechanical types of whitening, and "internal" - by chemical.

 

Ultrasonic Whitening

Mechanical teeth whitening with ultrasound allows you to remove the supra- and subgingival tartar from all surfaces of the teeth using ultrasonic devices and scalers. In addition, ultrasonic bleaching allows you to clean the so-called “smoker's plaque”, which is almost impossible to remove with home or professional brushes.

Due to ultrasonic vibrations at the end of a special tip, mechanical destruction of the structure of plaque and stone occurs, as well as its “sticking” from the enamel surface. Subject to the basic instructions for professional oral hygiene, the enamel is not injured by ultrasound, and usually there are no negative consequences from this type of whitening.

When performing ultrasonic cleaning of teeth through the tip, water is supplied to the tooth: this is necessary to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the procedure. Water prevents tooth overheating (this would lead to pulp necrosis), and also creates vortex flows due to oscillatory movements of the tip, which improves the detachment of tartar and plaque.

It is interesting

For home mechanical tooth whitening, an ultrasonic toothbrush is quite suitable. The principle of its action is approximately the same as in the case of the ultrasonic whitening method, but not as wide as in a dentist’s chair.

The power of ultrasonic vibrations in such brushes is reduced - adapted for safe home use. As a result, an ultrasonic toothbrush allows, albeit in a gentle mode, to remove plaque effectively enough. However, it should be borne in mind that such brushes are not recommended for people with a pacemaker, as well as for pregnant women. Their use is limited in the presence of braces, veneers, crowns, and also a large number of fillings in the oral cavity (due to the possible risk of “dislocating” them with ultrasonic vibrations).

 

Air flow technology

The essence of Air-Flow technology is the mechanical impact on an object (tooth surface) of a stream of air, water and ordinary baking soda, released under high pressure. Thus, inside the Air-Flow apparatus there is sodium bicarbonate powder (ordinary baking soda, which in this case is used as an abrasive) and water-air channels.

Mixing water and soda occurs closer to the working part (tip) of the apparatus. The device is fixed in the connector of the unit of the dental unit, and under high pressure, water mixed with powder is ejected onto the surface of the tooth enamel, clearing it of even the most dense plaque in seconds.

The convenience of teeth whitening with Air-Flow lies not only in the processing speed of one tooth, but also in the quality of such processing. The jet, released from the tip of the apparatus, easily penetrates even into tight gaps between the teeth, cleans plaque under the gum, effectively brushes teeth under structures, for example, under braces.

As a result, in about 30-40 minutes you can get teeth cleaned from plaque of their natural natural color.

However, if you are going to whiten your teeth with Air-Flow, you should remember that, compared to ultrasound, this technology has reduced effectiveness against tartar. In addition, with prolonged retention of the tip of the apparatus near one tooth (more than 3-4 seconds), not only polishing of enamel is possible, but also the appearance of its sensitivity after the procedure.

 

Additional mechanical methods for enamel clarification

Home methods of mechanical teeth whitening are perhaps the most popular today among the population, but at the same time, they are not the most reliable and even often dangerous for the health of teeth.

Most often, in order to make teeth whiter, people try to use the so-called whitening toothpastes. This is due to the fact that such an idea is very attractive - you brush your teeth, and they become whiter and whiter every day ...

At the same time, many do not even think that abrasive powders are introduced into most of these pastes as an active ingredient, which really actively cleanse plaque, but along the way they can seriously disrupt the enamel structure (they simply erase this enamel gradually).

Uncontrolled prolonged use of whitening pastes with a high abrasive effect almost always leads to increased sensitivity of the teeth and even the appearance on them of areas of broken enamel in the form of recesses. Their localization is usually located in the cervical region of the tooth.

It is interesting

The index of abrasiveness of toothpastes is characterized by a special index - RDA. For example, for ordinary pastes for daily use, this indicator can have the following values: about 20 - for babies, 45 - for schoolchildren, 65 - for adults with sensitive teeth. An RDA of 75-150 is characteristic for whitening toothpastes with medium abrasiveness, and above 150 are already highly abrasive pastes.

Whitening toothpastes (e.g. toothpastes from Thailand), in which this indicator is not indicated at all, and their composition includes almost ordinary clay. Even not very prolonged use of such pastes can have a very detrimental effect on tooth enamel.

From an analysis of the results of research on whitening toothpastes, and even just reading the reviews of ordinary people, we can conclude that whitening toothpastes based on abrasives can help to cope with soft and even hard plaque, but at the same time they can also spoil tooth enamel .

Whitening toothpastes based on chemicals (for example, enzymes) do not affect dense plaque with the force that real bleaching requires, which means the result is doubtful. However, there are many defenders of this type of pastes that note a whitening effect (but this does not take into account the fact that manufacturers often add abrasive substances to help people cope with plaque using the usual “friction”, and the presence of various exotic in the recipe in this case, the paste turns out to be nothing more than a marketing ploy).

Currently, there are many adherents of teeth whitening with a brush having hard bristles. The principle is as simple as that of a classic whitening toothpaste: to increase the efficiency of removing not only soft plaque from the teeth, but also the so-called “smoker's plaque”. As a result of prolonged use of such a brush (even without a whitening toothpaste), sometimes the teeth really become whiter, and also more sensitive to all types of irritants (cold, hot) and, in addition, more fragile.

Therefore, dentists often find in such experimenters in the cervical region of the teeth areas of pathological abrasion (wedge-shaped defects). It’s hard to imagine what will happen to such a tooth in a couple of months, if we add whitening toothpaste of a high degree of abrasivity to a toothbrush with hard bristles ...

 

Chemical whitening with different systems: pros and cons

Chemical whitening of existing popular systems can be divided into professional and home. Professional (otherwise - cabinet) whitening has a good whitening effect due to high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide or its derivatives, which are the active components of the gels applied to the tooth surface.

Modern technologies for chemical tooth whitening also involve the use of activators that initiate the decomposition of peroxides with the release of active oxygen. It can be:

• Heat;
• Ultraviolet radiation;
• Laser radiation

etc. The use of activators enhances the whitening effect, and also reduces the time spent by aggressive compounds in the oral cavity.

The main plus of cabinet whitening (by any systems) is the achievement of a pronounced whiteness of the teeth in more than 70-80% of cases, moreover, in one visit. In certain situations, you can whiten your teeth not half a tone and not a tone, but immediately 5-7 shades on a color scale.

The main disadvantage of this type of whitening is the damage caused to enamel, which, however, can be minimized by remineralization and fluoridation of the teeth after the procedure (but may also become one of the main causes of torment and suffering in the future). Violation of the protective properties of enamel during chemical tooth whitening is currently one of the main problems that scientists are still trying to solve.

How is professional chemical tooth whitening different from home?

Firstly, the concentration of the whitening substance for professional types of whitening is much higher (usually 30-35%). "Home" concentration - no more than 10-15%. This is due to the fact that at the dentist’s appointment there are more options for protecting the gums and oral mucosa from aggressive substances.

Secondly, the real result on professional whitening can be obtained much faster (more often in one visit), and home methods (for example, wearing cap) can drag on for 2 or more weeks.

Thirdly, professional types of whitening often involve additional activation of the chemical reaction with devices based on laser, ultraviolet radiation, etc. - to achieve the most pronounced, fast and safe effect.

Dental-controlled home whitening treatments are based on the following principle of action:

• special acidic components etch the enamel in order to ensure its increased porosity and permeability;
• and hydrogen peroxide (or its derivative) discolors colored compounds in the enamel pores, as a result of which lightening occurs.

For the safety of this type of tooth whitening, dentists make individual mouthguards for the patient according to casts, so that during the home procedure the gel is on the teeth, reducing the risk of gum burns.

The most important plus is a reduced harm to enamel (compared to cabinet teeth whitening), and a minus is insignificant whitening indicators, although such methods are quite suitable as a fixing procedure.

Professional and controlled home whitening cannot be carried out if there are carious teeth in the mouth, old and unsuitable fillings, plaque and stone, as well as with severe bleeding of the gums against the background of its inflammation in periodontitis. In such cases, it is advisable to first reorganize (treat) the carious lesions and replace the fillings with the dentist, carry out professional oral hygiene with removal of tartar and plaque, and transfer periodontitis to the stage of persistent remission by a specialist in gum and oral mucosa diseases - the dentist periodontist, and only then think about teeth whitening.

It is interesting

As part of the "advanced" whitening toothpastes, you can find carbamide peroxide or even just H₂O₂: it would seem that this is the ideal solution when the peroxide compound brightens the enamel directly when brushing your teeth. That is, the idea is not only to erase the plaque from the enamel, but also to discolor the undesirable colored substances contained in the enamel itself.

Well, using such pastes, you should consider this nuance. Even for chemical home whitening of teeth with the help of drops (the effect of which is most often minimal), many times higher concentrations of peroxide compounds are used than they are in such pastes. In addition, in such pastes there are no strong acids that would prepare the enamel for the procedure and create a low pH necessary for the peroxide to exhibit maximum oxidizing properties.

But how good is the idea (and advertising) ...

 

Homemade Chemical Whitening Methods

In addition to controlled home teeth whitening using adapted whitening systems, there are also “amateur” options for implementing a similar procedure: whitening strips, pencils, mouth guards, etc.

 

Whitening pencil

A bleaching pencil is a tube with a bleaching preparation, and for application the core of the pencil itself is used, made in the form of a brush, brush or sponge. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the composition is insignificant - 5-15%, but this is quite enough to cause chemical burns of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity if the application safety is not followed.

Each person has individual characteristics of the structure of enamel and dentin, as a result of which it is impossible to accurately predict when exactly the undesirable consequences of the interaction of hydrogen peroxide with tooth tissues will appear in the form of increased sensitivity of the teeth (and whether they will manifest at all). This can happen after 1-2 procedures, and in some cases after 2 or more weeks.

The principle of using whitening pencils is simple - to do this:

• rinse your mouth;
• wipe your teeth with a napkin;
• apply gel;
• sit with your mouth open for about 1-10 minutes (depending on the type of whitening pencil - the necessary time is indicated in the instructions for its use);
• then rinse the gel with water.

As a rule, the duration of the course is up to 2 weeks (2 times a day). Moreover, the result can be determined not only by the effectiveness of the drug used, but also by the presence of bad habits in a person (for example, smoking, frequent consumption of strong coffee).

 

Whitening strips

The so-called whitening strips are polyethylene strips with a layer of a special composition, usually containing from 6 to 10% hydrogen peroxide. That is, as you already understood, this type of teeth whitening is also chemical.

Strips for upper and lower teeth are usually offered in the kit. The principle of home whitening strips is that they are pressed to the teeth for about 30 minutes - at this time chemical reactions occur, leading to the gradual discoloration of colored compounds present in the enamel.

Typically, manufacturers recommend using strips 2 times a day for 1-2 weeks. Side effects are the same as for whitening pencils: the risk of burns of the mucosa and the development of increased sensitivity of the teeth.

The effect of whitening strips may not occur at all: neither in 7 days, nor in 2 weeks, and sensitivity, according to numerous reviews on forums on the Internet, comes to every third. Moreover, it often manifests itself not even in pains from cold and hot, but in the form of piercing aches in the tooth while holding the strip on it - but people still suffer it.

Feedback:

“I am a lover of coffee and tea, so when I read reviews on the Internet about whitening miracle strips, like a fool, I rushed to buy them through an online store. As a result, I bought a Crest Whitestrips 3D White kit. It was clearly written there that they are perfect even for sensitive teeth, and my teeth were not very sensitive, so I thought that they definitely fit.

After the first time I put these strips on my teeth and took it off, it seemed as if the smile had become a little whiter, but there was no pain at all. On the second day, I again put them to my teeth according to the instructions for half an hour. When I removed the strip, I almost fainted: a piece of gum really shed over the front tooth. Like a skin from a sausage, the skin wrinkled and moved away in a thick layer.

When I ran to the dentist with this problem for clarification, she explained to me that this was a serious chemical burn of the gums, since the gel from the strip somehow managed to get under it. As the doctor explained to me, such cases with home whitening strips and pencils are not uncommon. Since the root of my tooth was exposed, she advised me to make gum repair worth 8,000 rubles! And what do you think, people, is it worth risking your gums so that you can then dump that much?

Ksenia, Moscow

 

Teeth Whitening (ZOOM): advantages and disadvantages

Teeth whitening is a technology of room chemical whitening, but with the activation of the process with ultraviolet light. It is also called the ZOOM technique or “cold” teeth whitening.

With "cold" whitening, a gel based on hydrogen peroxide is applied to the surface of the teeth and is activated by an ultraviolet, halogen or LED lamp. The concentration of peroxide is usually quite high, an average of 25-35%.

Photo-whitening is one of the most effective methods, as its technology is specifically aimed at improving results and reducing tooth sensitivity (by reducing the exposure time). Light emission allows:

• increase the rate of decomposition of peroxide compounds with the release of active oxygen (which, in fact, plays a key role in the decolorization of colored substances);
• allows you to reduce the exposure time of the gel, which, in turn, reduces its negative impact on the enamel.

After splitting the organic pigments contained in the enamel, it becomes noticeably whiter. However, in some cases, one procedure may not be enough.

After photobleaching (ZOOM), which can last from 30 minutes to 1 hour, teeth are fluorinated to prevent their sensitivity.

On a note

Despite the widespread belief that zoom is one of the most benign types of teeth whitening, one should not forget the important point: in many respects, because of the high aggressiveness of the compounds used, dentists try to minimize the exposure time of gels on the teeth in order to reduce side effects, and they are far from uncommon in the practice of the dentist.

The whitening effect depends on the characteristics of enamel and its initial color in each individual person. You should not expect the same effect as in advertising: you are unlikely to dazzle all passers-by with a whiteness of a smile; most often, teeth become whiter by 1-3 tones, which is, in general, a good result.

After photobleaching, the use of coloring foods and drinks (coffee, tea, wine, juices, chocolate, blueberries, blueberries, etc.) should be limited, and it is better not to use them at all after the procedure. Such a “white” diet after teeth whitening will help keep the white-tooth smile for the longest possible time.

Sometimes the enamel is bleached with spots, which can be a very unpleasant moment, requiring additional intervention. In addition, in addition to sensitivity from all types of irritants (up to severe pain) after the whitening procedure, it is often necessary to replace the existing fillings in the smile area even with good fillings, since they become visually yellower than the whitened teeth.

 

Laser teeth whitening

Laser teeth whitening is a modern and quite effective method of their clarification, practiced for about 15 years. Numerous studies have shown that in most clinical cases it is truly effective and relatively safe.

The principle of laser whitening is almost the same as with the photo-whitening technique: a whitening composition based on hydrogen peroxide is applied to the surface of the teeth, however, the active substance is activated not with ultraviolet lamps, but with a laser. A laser is a kind of catalyst that affects not only the rate of chemical reactions, but also their depth (completeness).

As with other types of professional teeth whitening, the dentist applies protective means for the gums before the procedure so that the mucous membrane does not burn, however, errors in the work are encountered even by a professional dentist. Even in numerous whitening photographs (before and after), an interesting picture can be observed: before the procedure, the teeth were yellowish, but the gums were pale pink, which is the norm. After bleaching, the teeth became noticeably lighter, but hyperemia (redness) appeared on the edge of the gum, which indicates an edge burn (which, however, usually disappears within one day).

It is interesting

Practicing dentists often use this non-hazardous complication in the form of marginal burn of the gums to their advantage. Gum reddening after the whitening procedure is usually not noticed by the patient, but against the background of a strongly reddened gum, the whitening effect looks several times more effective (due to contrast). The teeth could lighten by only 1 tone, but a reddened gum visually emphasizes the effect, and the patient remains satisfied. After all, the most important thing is the first positive impression.

Laser whitening is not recommended:

• Children under 18 years old;
• During pregnancy and lactation;
• For allergies to hydrogen peroxide and other components of bleaching systems;
• With diabetes and some diseases of the pancreas.

These contraindications are also characteristic of many other methods of teeth whitening.One cannot fail to say that local contraindications for any professional methods of whitening (except mechanical) are carious teeth, periodontal diseases in the acute stage, dental deposits (stones, plaque), old fillings that have become unusable.

Stones and plaque will simply impede the chemical whitening process of enamel, and they themselves are a determining factor in the yellowness of the teeth. Poor fillings can cause acute pain during the procedure, since hydrogen peroxide can penetrate deep into the tooth through microcracks in the fill.

Periodontal disease in the acute stage can worsen during the procedure, and isolating inflamed gums is difficult. Increased bleeding gums, including, impairs the quality of whitening.

Carious teeth during whitening - this is in itself a violation of aesthetics. Why make yourself a snow-white smile, if 1-2 carious teeth with "blackness" or even with a carious cavity will show off in it. In addition, during the application of the gel on carious teeth, a sharp increase in pain is possible, up to an acute attack.

On a note

It is not recommended to carry out bleaching in those cases when it is impractical due to the natural natural light yellow color of enamel. Typically, these teeth have a light yellow tint in the cervical region, white enamel in the middle and transparent - closer to the cutting edge. Even if such teeth initially do not have hypersensitivity, then after whitening the maximum will be possible to achieve half-lightening, but there will be big problems with treating hyperesthesia of the teeth from various irritants (cold, hot, etc.) Often even warm water or food becomes the cause pain.

It is important to clearly understand that if the teeth initially have increased sensitivity, then the whitening procedure can seriously aggravate the situation.

 

Intracanal whitening

Intracanal teeth whitening (in other words, endobleaching) is used if a dead tooth becomes dark due to its staining with substances formed during pulp necrosis, when pigments penetrate deep into the tissues of a dead tooth, or when it is stained with filling material.

In such cases, the external impact on the tooth does not allow to cope with the problem. But intra-channel chemical bleaching allows you to solve this problem, as evidenced by numerous positive reviews.

Feedback

“From my youth I always had little white teeth, until I treated a couple of caries between the front teeth of one, so to say,“ specialist ”. Unfortunately, the doctor was stumpy, and I had to change the fillings, and in such a way that the nerves were first removed from the teeth, and then the fillings were made. At first everything was fine, but after a year and a half, I noticed that the front teeth began to change color to dirty yellow. This began to strain me a lot, so I stopped smiling at all.

After a couple of years of torment, I began to look for a normal dentist. Some told me that crowns would help, others that laser bleaching. My friend told me a good doctor who advised on-channel whitening, since it is from there that the problem with the color of the tooth comes. First, I removed the old seal, introduced the bleaching agent inside and put a temporary seal. On the next visit, I came pleased: the tooth became much whiter, and it remains only to put a permanent seal ... "

Oksana, Voronezh

A carbamide peroxide, sodium perborate or hydrogen peroxide whitening agent is usually added to the channel. The oxygen complex in the process of a chemical reaction discolor stained compounds in the tooth tissues - thereby fighting discolorite.

Tooth after endobleaching acquires its natural color or becomes noticeably lighter.The success of intracanal whitening depends on the concentration of the whitening gel and the time spent inside the tooth. The main thing here is to get to the dentist in time for a second appointment, since if there is a significant delay in time, the tooth may become too bright.

 

Traditional methods of teeth whitening: harm or benefit?

Is it possible to independently carry out teeth whitening at home without the use of all these pencils, drops and whitening strips? Well, traditional methods of teeth whitening have been known for a long time, but their comparison with professional systems has shown dubious effectiveness and most importantly - insecurity (in some cases).

Dentist-controlled home whitening systems are not traditional methods. Likewise, home whitening strips, mouthguards, pencils and similar products are home-developed systems developed by scientists that are not completely safe in comparison with the “grandmother's” methods, but are more or less close to evidence-based medicine and often show certain results.

Further, we will consider the truly folk methods of teeth whitening, far from the achievements of modern chemistry.

 

Charcoal

From history, we can recall that charcoal was the most effective method of teeth whitening in Russia. However, at present, this whitening technology is hopelessly outdated (usually today they try to whiten teeth with activated charcoal, which is sold in pharmacies in the form of tablets).

The idea of ​​using activated carbon for tooth whitening is based on its well-known ability to absorb various compounds from solutions (excellent absorbent). For example, if you place a tablet of activated carbon in an aqueous ink solution and mix, then the solution will quickly become transparent.

However, everything is not so simple with teeth: it is foolish to hope that activated carbon will pull pigments coloring it from enamel. However, activated charcoal will be quite capable of erasing plaque (including stained) with activated charcoal, although with the same success, you can just thoroughly brush your teeth with toothpaste with an average abrasion index.

By the way ...

In the line Toothpaste Splat there is a toothpaste with charcoal content - "Splat Blackwood". And such a paste has not a classic white color, but intense black. What can’t you do if the consumer really wants to ...

 

Baking soda - does it whiten teeth?

Baking soda can significantly increase the pH of the environment in the oral cavity by neutralizing acids, but whitening your teeth with it at home will be very problematic.

Soda powder mixed with water (or saliva) is an average abrasive, so if you rub it too hard and too often, it can lead to excessive enamel abrasion, which in turn will lead to increased tooth sensitivity (recall Air-Flow technology which was described above). Naturally, soda does not discolor the stained compounds present in the enamel, and a slight whitening effect can be caused only by the removal of stained plaque present on the teeth, which again will be safer to make correctly selected toothpaste.

 

Strawberry

Oddly enough, but the use of strawberries is one of the most popular among the “berry-fruit” methods of teeth whitening practiced by the people.

The proposed whitening recipe is approximately as follows:

• You should take strawberries;
• Cut it in half;
• Grind half in the teeth;
• Leave on for about 10 minutes;
• Then brush your teeth with your usual toothpaste.

We must say right away that it’s clearly not worth counting on a pronounced whitening effect from such use of strawberries.However, organic acids, which are, moreover, highly effective complexing agents, methods gradually "pull" calcium ions from the tartar matrix, thereby contributing to its loosening and subsequent erasure of toothpaste.

However, with the same success, calcium will also be washed out of healthy enamel from prolonged and regular action of organic acids - this can provoke the appearance of caries in the stage of a white spot in the smile zone, the problems of which without proper treatment can be much more than the benefits of such a dubious overall procedure.

Better just eat strawberries and rinse your mouth - so you will benefit much more.

 

Teeth whitening according to Neumyvakin

Another specific type of tooth whitening is the so-called Neumyvakin bleaching.

The recipe is as follows: it is necessary to add 20 drops of a pharmacy 3% hydrogen peroxide in 0.5 teaspoon of soda, and then a couple of drops of lemon juice, then mix with the resulting paste it is proposed to rub not only teeth, but also gums from the outside and inside with the help of cotton wool.

It is believed that this paste not only whitens teeth by removing tartar and plaque, but also treats gums. There are many fans of this type of whitening, but is there any effect on it?

The interaction of soda (sodium bicarbonate) and citric acid produces sodium citrate, which has the properties of a complexing agent and is able to firmly bind calcium ions, "removing" them, for example, from tartar. Soda powder plays the role of the average strength of the abrasive, mechanically cleansing plaque (and partly stone) from the surface of the enamel. Hydrogen peroxide is traditionally assigned the role of a chemical bleach that discolours stained substances found in tartar, plaque and tooth enamel.

Thus, in the teeth whitening according to Neumyvakin, common sense seems to be present.

However, often this meaning quickly turns into "meaninglessness" with illiterate performance in the hands of an ignorant person. For example, if the unfortunate experimenter has sensitive teeth, there are already wedge-shaped defects in the cervical region, however, a light yellow shade of enamel makes him furiously rub his teeth with Neumyvakin paste - in this case the result will be very disastrous.

Another thing is when a person has naturally healthy enamel, but his teeth are yellow (or even brown in some places) from plaque and stone - in this case, whitening according to Neumyvakin would be much more appropriate than in the situation described above.

By the way ...

Toothpastes containing pyrophosphates (complexing agents), carbamide peroxide, and medium strength abrasive system (RDA in the range of 75-150) will be, in fact, a more advanced version of the paste prepared according to Neumyvakin.

We hope that the above information will help you make the right decision regarding teeth whitening. If you already have some practical experience in this matter, be sure to leave your review at the bottom of this page.

 

Interesting video: criteria for high-quality teeth whitening and important nuances of this procedure

 

About the dangers of home teeth whitening