BELJENJE ZOB - PRETEETH WHITENING - PROS AND CONSDNOSTI IN SLABOSTI
White teeth and a radiant smile – who wouldn’t have them?
Everyone’s teeth have a natural, innate colour, but this can change, whether due to disease, ageing, injury, surgery or changes in the biochemical properties of the body. Often, the reason for staining of the teeth lies in habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, coffee, tea or unhealthy processed foods. We can help ourselves by choosing a gentle toothbrush, brushing with the correct technique and using toothpaste containing mild whitening agents. Using a hard toothbrush can lead to damaged tooth enamel and make teeth more susceptible to stains. There are many ways and means of whitening teeth, roughly divided into three groups: mechanical, chemical and natural methods. We’ve described and listed them in more detail below, so read on to find out how to get whiter teeth.
WHO IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR TEETH WHITENING/WHEN TO BE CAREFUL?
Teeth whitening is not recommended for children and those with sensitive enamel and oral mucosa, as teeth whitening products can also have some side effects, such as damage to tooth enamel, tooth sensitisation, irritation of the oral mucosa and other oral damage. Because of these possible side effects, before you decide to whiten your teeth at home, you should consult a dentist who will give you a professional opinion and appropriate guidance on the method you prefer.
WHICH TEETH WHITENING METHODS ARE WE FAMILIAR WITH?
Mechanical methods for teeth whitening
There are many kinds of toothpaste for whitening teeth on the market, some of which are more effective than others because of the abrasive particles they contain (aluminium oxide, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, hydrated silica or calcium carbonate). These particles, in combination with brushing, act abrasively and can thus remove any residual impurities on the surface of the teeth, but do not affect the colour of the enamel itself – it is more a matter of cleaning the tooth surface. We should be careful when using whitening toothpaste as they can be aggressive to enamel and soft tissue. The hard particles rub against the tooth surface, thinning the tooth enamel. In addition, tooth sensitivity and tooth enamel erosion can occur.
Advantages of mechanical methods:
- Restore the natural whiteness of teeth
- Can be done at home
- Affordable
Disadvantages of mechanical methods:
- Damage and irritation of the gums and mucous membranes may occur
- Enamel damage may occur
- Temporary sensitivity of teeth to cold and heat
Chemical methods for teeth whitening
With chemical methods, the whitening is done by a dentist using bleaching gels or similar products, which can make teeth up to 7 shades whiter. The most well-known techniques for whitening teeth at the dentists are ZOOM, Fläsh and Opalescence, but they are not the only ones.
Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are the most commonly used to whiten teeth in different concentrations. The agents whiten the teeth by infiltrating the enamel, where they react chemically with pigments to produce a lighter shade. With the additional use of lasers or light lights, the bleaching time can be accelerated. Healthy teeth and gums, free of tartar and surface discolouration, are a prerequisite for teeth whitening.
Teeth whitening at the dentists is based on the use of a peroxide gel, which is applied to the teeth after the gums have been properly protected, and the use of a light or laser. The procedure takes a maximum of one hour, taking place in 15-20 minute intervals. However, the number of visits to the dentist and the whitening treatment varies from person to person.
Dental attachments for home use to whiten teeth
There is also whitening toothpaste for home use in gel form. Such products usually contain a strip coated with a hydrogen peroxide gel, which is applied to the teeth for a few hours a day for 15 days. The oxidant in the gel penetrates the porous crystalline structure of the enamel and oxidizes the stain deposits on the teeth, thus making the teeth whiter. The Cosmetic Products Regulation sets 0.1% as the maximum permitted concentration of hydrogen peroxide for domestic, cosmetic use (toothpaste, gels, mouthwashes). This concentration is so low that such teeth whitening is a relatively slow process.
Advantages of chemical methods:
- More reliable because they are carried out by a dentist
- More efficient
- The most expensive methods
Disadvantages of chemical methods:
- Gums and mucous membranes can be sensitive to the chemicals used in bleaching
- Tooth and enamel sensitivity
- Possible gum discomfort or sore throat
- Sensitivity of teeth to temperature, which can last for some time
- Risk of unwanted ingestion of the substance
- Teeth become more susceptible to stains
Natural methods for whitening teeth
But with all the methods available to us these days, people often prefer to resort to natural methods that we consider less harmful and kinder to our bodies, while at the same time being cheaper.
There are many tips and recipes online for whitening your teeth at home, but they are not recommended. One of the well-known ones is the use of baking soda and lemon, which is not recommended as the citric acid weakens the tooth enamel, which is then damaged and worn down by brushing.
Natural methods and activated charcoal
Recently, there has been a lot of talk about activated charcoal, which, when applied, binds to particles and stains on the teeth and removes them after a certain period. Charcoal is extremely abrasive and can cause excessive enamel wear with frequent use. Once enamel is lost, it is lost forever as it does not renew itself. In addition, teeth with worn enamel become more yellowish or greyish, depending on the color of the inner enamel of our teeth.
Natural methods and oil sizzling
One of these is oil sizzling, which comes from Ayurvedic medicine and removes toxic substances from the body. Coconut oil is the most commonly used oil for sizzling, as it has antibacterial properties that reduce the risk of cavities and other dental problems and even help to eliminate bad breath. The regular swishing of coconut oil will make your teeth whiter and healthier, and for an even better result, you can add turmeric to coconut oil to speed up the whitening process.
Natural methods and active oxygen compounds
The active oxygen compounds on which Oroxid® oral solution is based also have an effect in removing staining and plaque. This restores healthy, natural whiteness and smooth, plaque-free teeth. Oroxide® causes the oxidation of plaque and plaque deposits on the teeth caused by food, coffee, tea, and smoking, without damaging the tooth enamel itself. The solution, in the form of many tiny bubbles, easily passes through and mechanically cleans hard-to-reach places under the gum or between the teeth that cannot be reached with a toothbrush. Because it contains hydrogen peroxide obtained by a special technological process, it is registered as a medical product and not as a conventional cosmetic mouthwash, which means that its effectiveness has been clinically proven. If you want a more intense effect, use OROXID® forte oral solution by gently brushing your teeth while swishing the solution around. For daily, preventive use, OROXID® sensitiv oral solution is sufficient.
Benefits of natural methods:
- They are cheaper
- Less harmful
- To some extent, they still have an effect
- They can be done at home, daily
Disadvantages of natural methods:
- Slow teeth whitening process
- Some don’t work
Vitamin deficiency
A deficiency of vitamins, especially B-complex vitamins and vitamin C, can cause swelling of the gums. Vitamin C is an important factor in the formation of certain components (collagen) for normal gum function, so its deficiency is most often manifested by bleeding, gum sores, and wound healing.
WHITENING YOUR TEETH AND CHOOSING THE RIGHT METHOD?
Use proven methods to whiten your teeth and consult your dentist, pharmacist, or oral hygienist before making any decisions. This will inform you about the possible side effects and limitations of each method and help you make a better decision.
For daily oral hygiene and prevention of stained teeth, we recommend daily use of Oroxid® oral solution, with a choice between OROXID® forte oral solution and OROXID® sensitiv oral solution. The latter restores the natural color of the teeth without affecting the enamel structure or damaging the gums, and at the same time prevents the development of oral problems (sore, bleeding gums, aphthae, periodontal disease, halitosis). It is suitable for short- or long-term use as it is alcohol and chlorhexidine free.
WE RECOMMEND:
OROXID® sensitiv oral hygiene solution