What is the best way to whiten teeth?

It is best to check with your dentist or dental hygienist to determine which teeth whitening method is best for you.

How does teeth whitening work?

Teeth whitening involves using special bleaching gel to remove teeth stains and get them whiter. There are different types of teeth whitening that can do that.

Are there any side effects of teeth whitening?

Yes, there are side effects of teeth whitening which will vary with your conditions. Typically, teeth can become more sensitive for a while after whitening.

Teeth Whitening: How It Works, Types, And Side Effects

Teeth Whitening: How It Works, Types, And Side Effects

Last updated 06/25

This blog has been reviewed and approved by Dr Robert Lee, a dental professional of 35 years

Table Of Contents

Key Takeaways

Many people want to whiten their teeth and it’s a common dental request.
Teeth whitening can be done at your dentist, at home and done with natural oral hygiene care.
Typically, teeth whitening involves using dental bleach to remove teeth stains and get them whiter.
There are risks involved with teeth whitening and it’s important to always talk to your dentist or dental hygienist before you do any teeth whitening.
Proper oral hygiene including brushing and flossing your teeth daily can help whiten your teeth. You can also use whitening toothpaste and other products to have pearly whites.

Teeth whitening is one of the most common dental requests. People want to keep their pearly whites clean and want to know how to get them whiter. There are many teeth whitening products and a variety of ways your dentist or dental hygienist may recommend whitening your teeth. Use Oral-B’s teeth whitening tips below and learn more about enhancing your smile with whiter teeth.

Teeth Whitening

Getting your teeth whiter and lighter to brighten your smile is often a keen desire for many people. Your teeth will become whiter after visiting the dentist or dental hygienist and getting a professional dental cleaning. However, there are times when you may want to whiten your teeth even more or do something to help tooth discolouration and stains.

Teeth whitening kits can be bought online and the treatment can be done at home. There are also natural ways you can help your teeth stay white, including proper oral care. Your dentist or dental hygienist can also give recommendations and do professional in-office teeth whitening.

If you are considering whitening your teeth consult your dentist or dental hygienist first and get their recommendations.

How long you whiten your teeth depends on your conditions and what treatment method you use.
Be cautious of over whitening teeth, as too much may damage your teeth.
Check with your dentist or dental hygienist to learn all the benefits and risks involved with whitening teeth and resolving teeth stains.

Benefits of teeth whitening

Making your teeth whiter may benefit you in a variety of ways:

Improve your appearance and make you feel more confident.
A bright smile with pearly whites may also enhance your photos and selfies.
Helps teeth stains, such as smoking stains, wine stains, decay, yellowing and resolves other discolouration.

cautious if you choose to whiten your teeth as there are risks involved too. Teeth whitening can damage teeth, especially if it’s done long term or too much bleaching gel is used. Be sure to consult your dentist or dental hygienist to learn more and determine which type of teeth whitening is best for you.

Types of teeth whitening and methods

Your dentist or dental hygienist can determine what teeth whitening method is best for you and advise you on the risks and side effects too. They will guide you on which treatment works best for your oral conditions. Here are the ways people whiten their teeth:

Professional bleaching done by a dentist or dental hygienist.
Bleaching at home with custom made bleaching trays made by your dental professional.
Over the counter teeth whitening kits and bleaching.

Long-term side effects of teeth whitening

Whitening your teeth long term or doing it incorrectly can have adverse effects on your teeth. When done incorrectly it can also cause other dental issues:

Increased tooth sensitivity
Softens tooth enamel
Gum irritations
Possible enamel erosion
Loss of tooth minerals

Always talk to your dental professional if you are considering whitening your teeth and follow their recommendations to ensure it does not negatively impact your teeth and gums. They can advise you on which types of tooth whitening yield faster results and inform you about the possible side effects too.

Teeth whitening and sensitive gums

Tooth and gum sensitivity can be symptoms of other dental issues and needs to be monitored by a dental professional. • Whitening your teeth can make your teeth and gums more sensitive. If you start whitening your teeth and notice new sensitivities stop bleaching your teeth and consult your dentist or dental hygienist immediately. • If you are naturally more prone to teeth sensitivity or have sensitive teeth and gums before whitening your teeth, always consult your dental professional before starting any kind of teeth whitening to determine what will work best for you.

Oral Care Tips for Teeth Whitening

Most people wish their smiles were brighter. In fact, over 50% of dental patients want whiter teeth. The same treatments that help whiten your smile also provide additional benefits to help improve your oral health. Many effective at-home options provide teeth whitening, stain removal, along with maintenance of whitened teeth when paired with a thorough toothbrushing routine.

Oral-B iO Electric Toothbrushes come equipped with a whitening mode that delivers micro-vibrations to the tip of each bristle to loosen and remove surface stains and plaque and reveal a brighter smile.
Oral-B iO Radiant White replacement brush heads offer advanced cleaning and whitening (by removing surface stains) starting day 1. You can also look for Oral-B iO Radiant White brush heads where you normally shop for your Oral Care products. They are designed with five circular arranged polishing petals for advanced plaque and surface stain removal.

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FAQs

Whitening teeth is safe but must be done properly.
It is best to check with your dentist or dental hygienist to determine which teeth whitening method is best for you.
Teeth whitening involves using special bleaching gel to remove teeth stains and get them whiter. There are different types of teeth whitening that can do that.
Yes, there are side effects of teeth whitening which will vary with your conditions. Typically, teeth can become more sensitive for a while after whitening.

Sources

https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/teeth-whitening-and-bleaching
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/teeth-whitening
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4058574/
Tin-Oo MM, Saddki N, Hassan N. Factors influencing patient satisfaction with dental appearance and treatments they desire to improve aesthetics. BMC Oral Health 2011;11:6.
Alkhatib MN, Holt R, Bedi R. Prevalence of self-assessed tooth discolouration in the United Kingdom. J Dent 2004;32:561-566.
Al-Zarea BK. Satisfaction with appearance and the desired treatment to improve aesthetics. Int J Dent 2013;2013:912368.

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