Whitening
What is whitening?
Whitening, dental whitening or bleaching: these are synonyms for a method of making teeth whiter; a kind of in-depth cleaning of the enamel.
Who are good candidates for whitening?
Anyone with discoloured teeth, especially users of coffee, tea, red wine, cigarettes. Those are real white-killers which gradually discolour our teeth. Age also plays a role.
Natural white teeth
Radiant white teeth require daily care, look at our Tips & Tricks.
What is teeth bleaching?
Dental bleaching, whitening or bleaching: it all means the same. It refers to the method to make teeth whiter, a kind of in-depth cleaning of the enamel. A chemical oxygen compound reacts with the color molecules which have settled on the enamel over time resulting in a whitening treatment gives you back your natural color.
How do teeth discolour?
Just like the complexion of your skin, the colour of your hair or the whites of your eyes, the basic colour of your teeth is hereditary. Tooth are made of enamel, dentine and pulp. Tooth colour depends mainly on the colour and thickness of the dentine.
It is different for everyone so one person can have whiter teeth than the next. Enamel, on the other hand, is almost transparent. Canine teeth are naturally a bit more yellowish than the other teeth because their dentine layer is thicker.
Bleaching your teeth yourself or at the dentist can be a first step in making your teeth more beautiful.
Extrinsic discolouring
Diet and medicines
Coffee, tea, red wine, cigarettes, certain medicines, etc, are not friendly to our teeth. They make our teeth more yellow and darker. Depending on how much certain food products are used, discoloration will be greater in some persons than in others.
Bleaching your teeth yourself (at home or in your car during the morning rush hour) can be a solution.
Age
This extrinsic discoloration also increases with age. This is because of wear, or because the teeth necks are uncovered or because the enamel has become more fragile causing small cracks. These factors make it easier for colourants to penetrate the porous dentine. Due to aging the layer of dentine also become thicker causing teeth and molars to darkener.
There is no age limit to whitening your teeth yourself. A solution here can be bleaching. Whatever your age, by bleaching your teeth you can make your smile seem fresher, such that you will also look younger.
Intrinsic discolouring
Intrinsic discolorations, on the other hand, are inside the tooth structure. Two examples are tetracycline discolorations and fluorosis. In this case bleaching does not help.
Tetracycline
Such discolouring occurs through the build-up of tetracycline in the teeth, for example by taking antibiotics. Here too bleaching makes little or no sense.
The result is usually a grey – sometimes orange – discoloration, partially or totally covering the tooth.
Fluorosis
Fluorosis, on the other hand, is caused when children absorb too much fluoride when their teeth are formed. It creates chalk-like, white stains in the enamel of their permanent teeth.
Solution
Both types of intrinsic discoloration are generally difficult to remedy with a whitening treatment. In these cases treatment with veneers (facets or facings) is advisable instead of bleaching.
Don’t be fooled!
You can never bleach your teeth “whiter” than your original colour. People who claim that their teeth, because they bleach their teeth at home or at the dentist, seem whiter than ever before are deceiving themselves.
How much does whitening treatment cost?
A whitening treatment or bleaching can be done at the dentist with Formulation+ as of 400 euros. Teeth can be bleached at home with WHITE Boast & WHITE finishing. You can buy these total packages for bleaching from your dentist for only 99 euros.
Who can be considered for whitening or bleaching?
Anyone faced with extrinsic discolouring can be considered for whitening or bleaching. Extrinsic discolouring is colouring on the outside of the tooth due to the consumption of coffee, tea, red wine, cigarettes or ageing. People who only have discolouring on the inside of the tooth (intrinsic discolouring) cannot be considered.
Do it yourself or at the dentist?
Nimble-fingered people, stay-at-homes and people who do not want to go to the dentist for treatment can bleach at home. The product GlamSmile White Boost can be obtained from your dentist without prescription. Follow the instructions on the information leaflet to obtain the desired results.
The Formulation + treatment at the dentist is ‘stronger’ and requires the use of a plasma lamp. Both treatments - at home and at the dentist - can produce remarkable results ... if done properly.
Formulation+
Formulation+ is the perfect solution if you prefer a short but intensive whitening treatment at the dental office. In 90 minutes your teeth can be up to 10 shades whiter.
The dentist will first apply protection to your gum and the Formulation + gel to your teeth. Then your teeth are exposed to the light of a plasma lamp that emits blue light and heat. Both factors stimulate the bleaching process for maximum results. The gel stays on your teeth for 20 minutes and is then washed off. This step is repeated two more times and the results will be very evident up to 10 shades whiter!
At-home whitening
GlamSmile
White Boost
GlamSmile White Boost
GlamSmile White Boost contains a mouthpiece and ten foam strips. Place the strips in the mouthpiece and put it in your mouth. The strips will follow the shape of your dental arch. The mouthpiece is especially designed to make it comfortable to wear. Twenty minutes, during 5 days, are enough to freshen up the colour!
Sold by dentists. Inquire about a dentist near you here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find a list of frequently asked questions. For additional information you can always contact our GlamSmile consultants (or dentists).
Or ask a question using the contact form.
What results can I expect? How long will these results last?
Whitening results are difficult to predict and can vary from user to user. Everyone's teeth are different and the nature of any discoloration also plays a big role. How long the result will last also depends on a number of factors. If you are going to drink coffee, tea and red wine soon after the treatment, the result will last less because colour molecules will again start to settle in the tooth enamel.
Who can benefit from teeth whitening?
People with discoloration from external causes can be particularly successful in brightening their colour with whitening. (read Discoloured Teeth, how's that?)
Formulation + for a treatment at the dentist's and GlamSmile White Boost for whitening at home is suitable for everyone who wants a radiant white smile.
Severe discoloration such as tetracycline or fluorosis discolorations can rarely be remedied with bleaching. GlamSmile veneers may be the solution for these cases.
What happens to fillings and crowns?
Crowns, laminates and fillings do not bleach, but neither are they are affected by the treatment. If you want an even, white smile with all your teeth in the same white shade, you should opt for veneers. Read more about it on the page on GlamSmile Veneers.
Is whitening safe?
Yes, whitening with GlamSmile products, either at the dentist's, or at home, are completely safe treatments. This is supported by substantial clinical research. However, it is important to use the home products correctly and not to exceed the treatment time. Therefore, make sure to read the GlamSmile White Boost leaflet and contact your dentist if you have any questions.
Does it hurt?
The GlamSmile products have been developed not to cause pain or sensitivity. If you experience some sensitivity during the treatment it will not last long and be transitory.
Any more questions? Contact our Smile Consultants.
