Can yellow teeth become white again?

Myth 3 - All whitening Gel is the same

It's untrue! There are two main professional gel options: hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. Both create the same amount of the active chemical hydrogen peroxide, however carbamide peroxide has a SLOWER effect on teeth and is only advised for usage overnight or in conjunction with an accelerator light (I'll cover that later). Approximately one-third of the active component, hydrogen peroxide, is present in carbamide peroxide concentrations. For instance, 12% hydrogen peroxide and 35% carbamide peroxide are nearly equivalent.

Hydrogen peroxide is more expensive to create since it is an unstable chemical that reacts right away. As a result, several merchants only sell goods that are based on carbamide peroxide. Even though it is the most expensive and complex to make, stabilized hydrogen peroxide reacts right away when it comes in touch with teeth, making it ideal for quick tooth whitening treatments without an accelerator light.

Myth 4 - Teeth Whitening Accelerator Lights don't work

Not always the case! with certain exceptions. Some dentists and companies that specialize in selling solely take-home teeth whitening solutions claim that LED lights and other accelerator lights are ineffective gimmicks.

Numerous research has been done that demonstrate how much faster the oxidization of tooth whitener gel—the release of oxygen and chemical bleaching reaction—is when a professional accelerator lamp is used. This is especially true for whitening gels that contain carbamide peroxide because they react chemically considerably more slowly.

Consider the number of dental offices and cosmetic dentistry practices that provide "in-office," "chairside," "rapid whitening," or "Power Whitening" procedures. Numerous them! Now, if the accelerator lights weren't functioning, why would they still provide this treatment? The professional grade Blue LED Accelerator lights offer a faster tooth whitening outcome when using carbamide peroxide gel, indisputable from my own expert experience.

We are confident that there is a discernible improvement with the light in these circumstances based on our own research and observations from working with hundreds of clients and comparing the results with the same gel, over the same time period, with and without the LED Accelerator Lamp.

But not every accelerator light is the same. Some dentists still employ outdated lighting systems, like plasma, UV, and others. These technologies operate at a light spectrum that is known to heat or burn skin tissue and heat the tooth surface, releasing the gel's oxygen content while also posing a risk of UV damage to your lips, gums, and mouth. Additionally, there are the little handheld LED lights you frequently see in television commercials, but they are really toys with insufficient power to make a difference.

Another situation where an accelerator light doesn't function well is when a colored, "Silicone Impression"-style, or pre-filled foam mouth tray is used by the practitioner to hold the gel against the patient's teeth. There are no rapid bleaching effects because these mouth guard trays do not permit the light frequency to pass through them.

The oxygen release from the chemical is excited by modern, professional teeth whitening accelerator lamps' use of blue LED light at a particular frequency. 

These speeds up the tooth whitening process. Because they don't heat the teeth or the surrounding tissue, they are frequently referred to as "Cool LED" or "cool" light accelerators. They are therefore completely safe, and the technology has FDA approval.

Myth 5 - You need to go to a Dentist to get professional whitening results

It's untrue! Today, professional strength tooth whitening products are available for purchase in Australia. These products can be used at home or as a service with a professional accelerator light and support - and are not just available through the dentist.

Dentists are only permitted to use bleaching gels that contain hydrogen peroxide that is over 16% and up to 35%. The true dangers of whitening gel at these concentrations include gum damage and tooth sensitivity. Therefore, before using the powerful gels, dentists first employ a unique gum barrier on your gums. A dentist will typically achieve greater results for teeth whitening in the same amount of time as a non-dental procedure, but there are factors to take into account, including additional financial charges and tooth sensitivity when using the stronger Dentist-only treatments.

Due to the high cost of professional teeth whitening technology, the dentists enjoyed a monopoly on the cosmetic teeth whitening business for many years. You have a lot more options now because professional tooth whitening products are more affordable and widely available.

Myth 6 - Teeth Bleaching Gels from anywhere other than USA, Australia or UK are unsafe

It's untrue! First off, you might not even be aware that in today's world, things that seem to be made by a respectable American or Australian name are almost certainly made in China. Due to basic economics, this is true of all products and technologies in existence today.

The market offers a wide variety of teeth-whitening product brands. It makes NO DIFFERENCE where they were made, therefore you don't need to worry about it. Hydrogen peroxide, the chemical that is active, is the same everywhere. It will always be safe (i.e., germ and bacteria free) to put Hydrogen Peroxide-based gel into your mouth, regardless of where it came from or how it was made, because Hydrogen Peroxide is also used as a disinfectant.

The Hydrogen Peroxide Gel will turn a milky white color, indicating that it has already oxidized and will no longer be effective in whitening your teeth. However, it will not damage you if it is past its use-by date or chemically expired, and you will know straight away.

Myth 7 - You need customized Mouth guard trays to get best whitening results

It's untrue! While dentists charge a lot of money for specialized mouth trays, several home whitening kits offer boil-n-bite thermoshrinking mouth guards that function just as well. A dentist's at-home teeth whitening kits typically require you to wear the tray in your mouth for extended amounts of time over the course of weeks of use, so the fully customized trays may be a little more comfortable to use, but they need to be. It doesn't matter as much if the mouth guard is less comfortable because there are non-dentist products that only need to be used for a brief period of time.

Another issue with mouthguards that are excessively tightly fitted is that only the tiniest layer of whitening gel will fit between the mouth guard's surface and the teeth. Because less chemical equals less whitening effect, the mouth guard and gel must be used more frequently and for longer periods of time in order to provide satisfactory results.

Myth 8 - All teeth are the same and whitening results should be like the "Hollywood" smile

Unfortunately, some people have inflated expectations and may be let down by the outcomes of their teeth whitening. This isn't because products for professional teeth whitening don't work; they ALWAYS DO, at least somewhat. They do this because they are unaware that because each person's teeth have a varied mineral composition, tooth whitening will have a different effect on each individual. No matter whatever product you use, how frequently you try to whiten your teeth, or how strong the gel is, your results will not be as white if your teeth are genetically more yellow than those of someone else.

Additionally, some people have profound stains left behind by antibiotics, tetracycline, etc. that are difficult to remove and might never totally go. Moreover, some people have naturally blue or brown or black teeth due to genetics, in which case hydrogen peroxide whitening is less effective than yellow or brown color tints.

People think they can get their teeth whitened to look like movie stars because they see Hollywood stars on TV and in movies and think they can do the same. That is not feasible, regrettably. Chemical teeth whitening has its limitations and, for the majority of people, does not create the bright white color you see on movie stars. Does that imply that movie stars simply have lucky genes? No, it simply means that movie stars frequently spent thousands of dollars on porcelain veneers to straighten and make their teeth completely white. Of course, if you have the funds, you may also choose to whiten your teeth using hydrogen peroxide, which is considerably less expensive than other options and typically results in a more obvious improvement in the brightness and whiteness of natural teeth.

Myth 9 - If I have Caps, Crowns, Veneers or Dentures so I can't whiten my teeth

It's untrue! Although hydrogen peroxide only whitens natural teeth, it also cleans all surfaces, including those on caps, crowns, veneers, and dentures that are constructed of synthetic materials. Certain dentists claim that hydrogen peroxide can weaken the connection of some of these synthetic materials or attack the metal components, but if you are concerned, you should speak with your dentist about your particular situation before bleaching your natural teeth.

If you are going to get any caps, crowns, or other dental work fitted, it is always preferable to have your natural teeth whitened first. This is so that the dentist may make your smile overall whiter by matching the artificial substance's color to your now-whiter genuine teeth.

Common Dental Whitening Questions and Answers: 

Does Whitening Toothpaste Work?

The issue is that there isn't a strong enough concentration of any chemical present here, and it isn't left on your teeth for long enough to noticeably alter their whiteness.

The abrasive action of the toothbrush or paste against your tooth enamel is the only true "whiteness," if you can call it that, that is produced by toothpaste. This scraping DOES wear down tooth enamel and remove substantial amounts of surface-layer staining material, but it leaves behind the small staining particles that give teeth a more yellow appearance. The same is true of "Tooth Polishes," which only serve as a fine sandpaper to scrape away tooth enamel during brushing and create heightened sensitivity to hot and cold when used for an extended period of time because tooth enamel thins.

While brushing your teeth can eventually cause severe harm to your tooth enamel, on balance, this is preferable to the results of not brushing your teeth, much like in the Risk vs. Reward comparison.

Don't be tricked by those pricey "whitening toothpastes"; they are abrasively destroying your teeth's enamel and won't significantly improve how white your teeth are. It would be preferable to spend your money on something that will.

Who can benefit from teeth whitening?

People who are eligible for teeth whitening should normally meet the following criteria:

- older than 16 years old (due to potential development of the teeth prior to this age, parental consent may be required)

- not breastfeeding or pregnant (this is an additional safety measure to protect babies, although you would not generally be able to swallow enough Hydrogen Peroxide from a normal tooth whitening treatment to harm your baby)

- Hydrogen peroxide has no recognized allergies. You might be allergic if you've ever experienced skin rashes after using hydrogen peroxide to bleach your hair. However, if you don't realize you're allergic, it will become clear during the first few minutes of a teeth-whitening treatment, and you can easily stop the procedure. No matter how uncomfortable the side effects are, they will go away quickly and without doing any long-term harm.

In addition to these circumstances, teeth whitening is not suggested for persons wearing braces, those who have gum disease, open cavities, leaky fillings, recently undergone oral surgery, or those who have other dental issues. Before using a professional quality tooth whitening product, I advise you to consult your dentist if you have any questions.

Persons whose natural teeth have a grey or blue tint may also not profit as much from hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening as people whose original teeth have a yellow or brown hue.

Any hydrogen peroxide bleach on your gum line can hurt if you have gingivitis or periodontal disease and may cause a small amount of bleeding. Therefore, I do not advise having your teeth whitened until these problems have been resolved with your dentist. However, what's intriguing is that studies have indicated that hydrogen peroxide can kill the bacteria that causes gingivitis, perhaps averting additional harm.

What are the Risks with Teeth Whitening?

Although most whitening procedures are risk-free, some of their potential side effects include:

Whitening gel that comes into touch with gum tissue during the procedure may result in gum irritation, as well as blanching or whitening of the gums, gum line, or inside of the lips. This happened when little patches of those tissues were unintentionally exposed to the whitening gel. The gum inflammation and/or whitening is just temporary, and any color change of the gum tissue will go away within two hours, typically in just 10 to 30 minutes. People with a history of mouth ulcers are more likely to experience transient mouth ulcers, which typically go away after a few days of treatment.

TEETH SENSITIVITY: Some people may have some tooth sensitivity for a while after the whitening procedure, though it is more typical with in-office dentist treatments utilizing extremely potent bleaching solutions. After receiving cosmetic teeth whitening, individuals with pre-existing sensitivity, newly broken teeth, micro-cracks, open cavities, leaky fillings, or other dental disorders that induce sensitivity may discover that such diseases worsen or prolong tooth sensitivity.

SPOTS OR STREAKS: Calcium deposits that naturally exist in teeth might cause some people to acquire white spots or streaks on their teeth. Usually, they disappear after 24 hours.

RELAPSE: It's normal for the color of teeth to gradually revert after a cosmetic teeth-whitening procedure. This is normal and should happen gradually, but it might speed up if you expose your teeth to various stains, such coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco, etc. Following a teeth-whitening procedure, you shouldn't consume anything besides water for the first 60 minutes, and you should avoid tooth-staining substances for the following 24 hours (eat and drink white or clear colored foods during this time).

When employing professional strength bleaching solutions, the effects of a hydrogen peroxide-based tooth whitening procedure can last up to two years but are not meant to be permanent. To get or keep your teeth desired color, you might require additional, follow-up, or touch-up treatments.

How do I achieve best teeth whitening results?

You should consider the tooth whitening effects of a single treatment in comparison to any potential negative effects before responding to this question. The best response is equilibrium! Compare and contrast the likelihood of results and any potential negative effects. The greatest hydrogen peroxide concentrations have the biggest risk for adverse effects but deliver the best outcomes in the shortest amount of time. To achieve a satisfying balance of outcomes and risk, I advise taking a middle course of action that is neither the strongest nor the weakest.

Have your teeth thoroughly cleaned before starting a teeth-whitening treatment. At least where the upper and lower 8–10 front teeth meet when you smile.

Remember that since teeth are opaque, washing the BACK of the teeth is crucial to the overall success of your whitening regimen. A dental cleaning will get rid of any extra debris that has built up on the outside of your teeth, allowing the hydrogen peroxide to bleach your natural teeth as evenly as possible.

Use a teeth-whitening gel with professional strength. Many pharmacies, TV commercials, and online businesses advertise teeth-whitening solutions that include 3% or 6% hydrogen peroxide. These simply don't perform good at tooth whitening, and any effect they do have taken AGES to manifest.

The time and effort needed is greater than the comparative cost difference between these low-end products and products with professional strength. If it's accessible in your area, I advise using 12% hydrogen peroxide, unless you're having a professional accelerator light for whitening, in which case you can use 35% carbamide peroxide. It goes without saying that the dentist's in-office power whitening procedures typically employ gel that is much stronger than 12%, but you should be aware of the potential adverse effects.

Remember, you can always wait a little to watch your gums and teeth for any negative effects before taking another treatment if your teeth aren't as white as you'd like after the initial treatment (s). This is the most effective and secure method to acquire the best teeth whitening outcomes, provided the solution you're using isn't too pricey.

How long does Teeth Whitening last?

This relies on the teeth-whitening product you use and the way of life you lead.

Your whiter teeth will become stained again more quickly if you smoke, routinely consume red wine, or use any other heavily colored things.

There is no definitive answer to this question, but generally speaking, if you follow the recommended course of treatment with a professional tooth whitening product, you may be able to maintain your whiter teeth for up to two years as long as you are mindful of what you eat and drink and take care of your teeth and oral hygiene.

The majority of individuals lead normal lifestyles where they consume things like red wine, curry, etc. That's great, but you should brush your teeth 60 minutes after consuming the meal or beverage if you want to maintain your brighter teeth. According to research, you shouldn't brush your teeth just after eating since the acid that is produced in your mouth during digestion softens the tooth enamel, making it vulnerable to damage from abrasive brushing.

Additionally, I advise using teeth-whitening pens. They will whiten any stains that are near to the tooth surface by applying a thin coating of hydrogen peroxide to the teeth at any time or location (if the concentration is strong enough). Because saliva washes out the active component in whitening pens after 30 to 60 seconds, it is best to use a whitening pen that employs professional-strength hydrogen peroxide gel rather than carbamide. Deeper stains shouldn't often be removed using whitening pens.

I have tooth sensitivity problems; can I still whiten my teeth?

Yes, and you have a variety of choices. Prior to bleaching your teeth, you could use a desensitizing tooth paste for about a month. If sensitivity has lessened, you can use any product. But be aware that your sensitivity will probably return during or after the procedure, therefore I advise picking a medium intensity whitening gel that you can easily take off if the pain becomes intolerable.

The alternative is a weak bleaching gel. Because it takes longer to achieve a satisfactory outcome, this will work over a longer length of time but may also make the teeth more sensitive.

A teeth-whitening pen with at least 12% hydrogen peroxide concentration is, in my opinion, the greatest alternative. This may yield the best results with the least discomfort because you can paint the gel onto particular teeth and because the gel is rinsed away by saliva in under a minute.

What should I do immediately after I whiten my teeth?

Without swallowing, rinse the gel from your mouth and teeth.

Use a fluoride-containing tooth paste to brush your teeth within 60 minutes to help seal the teeth.

Do not consume colored beverages or meals, or smoke for at least 60 minutes.

Use a desensitizing tooth paste if you have sensitive teeth.

Purchase a gum-soothing product from the pharmacy if you have gum tingling. This will lessen the discomfort and length of any potential gum irritation and assist to avoid the development of mouth ulcers (if you are predisposed to developing them).

The straightforward rule to the optimum teeth whitening outcomes

Hydrogen peroxide concentration (Strength) and time spent on the teeth (Time) equals results (Effectiveness)

You should take time's effects into account when calculating time:

more work, which means you could not finish the entire treatment

Additional annoyance

sufficient active substance to cause a chemical reaction during that time. This means that simply leaving any whitening gel on your teeth for 24 hours straight won't work because the hydrogen peroxide often reacts and is exhausted within 20 minutes.

longer contact between the mouth guard and the gums Gum inflammation is frequently brought on by the mouth guard's friction.

longer contact time between the gums and the bleaching gel. The potential for gum inflammation once more.

Keep in mind that there are restrictions on the amount of whiteness that can be achieved with natural teeth, and they depend on your lifestyle, your lifestyle choices, and the condition of your teeth at the time of whitening.

Want to know more? You can read more tips on Yes! yellow teeth will become white again