What is Teeth Whitening?

Accumulations occur in the teeth due to periodic consumption of food and beverages (tea, coffee, cola, fruit juice, wine), smoking or antibiotics taken at a young age, and aging. Teeth whitening is the process of lightening the color of the teeth by using special gels in order to remove these stains and discolorations.

There are three types of whitening.

1.office type whitening.

2. home bleaching

3.Single teeth whitening

How is Office Type Whitening Made?

Teeth are made suitable for whitening, primarily by cleaning and polishing calculus by professional physicians. Afterwards, the gums are covered with a protective barrier, then a whitening gel is applied on the teeth and it is expected to be activated by light. After the gel is kept on the teeth, it is cleaned and the tooth color is checked. If necessary, the sessions can be continued again. Sessions last an average of 20 minutes. The frequency of sessions may vary depending on tooth sensitivity and the desired result.

How is home bleaching done?

For this method, known as home teeth whitening, first of all, intraoral impression are taken and personalized transparent plaques are prepared. A certain amount of tooth whitening agent is applied into the prepared plaques. In order to get an effective result from the treatment, the plaque should be used for at least 4-6 hours during the day for 10-15 days on average or 8-10 days at night while sleeping.

What is single tooth whitening and how is it done?

Root canal treated teeth that have lost their vitality may change color over time. In such cases, the bleaching process, also called devital bleaching, is applied to the teeth that have lost their color. First of all, the existing filling in the tooth is removed, then the sealing of the root filling is ensured and the whitening agent is placed in the opened space. The tooth is then closed with a temporary filling. Sessions are repeated at intervals of 48-72 hours until the desired color is achieved.

What should be considered after teeth whitening?

There are rules that must be followed for at least one week in order to preserve the whiteness for a long time after the bleaching process. These;

• Tea, coffee, fruit juices, acidic beverages, fruity mineral water, red wine, red colored fruits (sourcherry, strawberry, cherry, pomegranate, etc.) and vegetables that may cause discoloration on the tooth surface (red beet, purple cabbage, spinach, etc.) should not be consumed.
• Not using cigarettes and tobacco products.
• Not consuming ready-made foods (ketchup, mustard, tomato sauce, etc.).

In addition, care should be taken not to feed excessively hot and cold in order to prevent sensitivity after bleaching.

When does the color return after teeth whitening?

Depending on the person's habits, the coloration may return after about 1-2 years. In these cases, patients should come for 6-month routine controls. Following the bleaching process applied in the clinic, the application of the bleaching process that can be done at home by the patient prolongs the preservation time of the color.