White teeth have not always been a sign of human attractiveness. History knows quite a large number of cases in which different cultures have given their teeth turquoise, green or black shades. The standard of beauty is a rather variable concept, which still varies today. But mankind has always strived to perform a variety of manipulations on teeth: grinding, constructing, smoothing out broken edges, etc.

For example, the Mayans who lived on our planet over 2,000 years ago had sharp teeth with gemstones set in them, which were considered to be the standard of beauty. The Mayans preferred to paint their teeth blue, green or turquoise. Mature women from Bali also tried to look more beautiful by completely removing the enamel from their front teeth. Samurai and women in Japan painted their teeth with special black enamel which emphasised the whiteness of the face. In Madagascar, it was customary for women to have shark-sharp incisors. In some African tribes, men also attracted female attention by sharpening their front teeth.

It was long ago in Europe when black teeth were considered a model of attractiveness. There were reasons for this. In Russia, one of the signs of luxury was sugar, which was very expensive. The constant use of sugar made their teeth sick and gave them a black colour which they were very proud of. Poorer people, in an attempt to look richer, used carbon black to stain their teeth. In England during the reign of Elizabeth, sugar was also considered very expensive and black teeth were the result of overconsumption. Unsurprisingly, the tradition had become obsolete by the early 18th century.

A snow-white smile was first popular in the USA and is still considered an indicator not only of health, but also of wealth. 

An important milestone in the history of whitening began in 1884 when hydrogen peroxide became the official foundation for all whitening systems not only for the next 100 years, but for a much later period. The first results of extensive scientific research were made public in 1990. They confirmed that this tooth whitening technology was completely safe and would not cause any damage to enamel. As a result of this conclusion the teeth whitening process gained a second popularity.

In the early '90s the market launched such trendy whitening products as: Discus Dental by Nite White; Opalescence by Ultradent. A little later ZOOM technology was an absolute hit.

Teeth whitening is the brightening and smoothing of the tone of tooth enamel,

removing pigments from the top layer of dentin. The procedure belongs to cosmetic dentistry, but the latest technology is not only no longer destroying the enamel, but also has a positive effect on the condition of the teeth. It strengthens the enamel by saturating it with minerals and increases the density of the hard tissue. The whitening procedure now not only makes your teeth beautiful, but also improves their health!

Teeth Whitening types and methods:

• Mechanical method

The simplest and oldest method used in dentistry to whiten teeth enamel. It is a mechanical cleaning method, which uses special nozzles. The advantages of this method are the effective removal of plaque and calculus on the teeth, prevention of tooth decay and gum inflammation. After the treatment, the dentist treats the teeth with an enamel protectant.

• Fotobleaching

This procedure changes the colour by 8-10 shades maximum. During the process, the dentist applies an appropriate whitening gel containing hydrogen peroxide and activates it with the appropriate light. Halogen, UV light and LED light can be used. One treatment session lasts between 15 and 30 minutes. After photo whitening, a fluoride solution is applied to the teeth in order to reduce the sensitivity and protect the enamel.

• Chemical whitening

This is one of the gentler methods, so your teeth may only be 5 to 7 shades lighter. If you're not sure which tooth whitening method to choose, this is a good place to start. A whitening gel is spread evenly over your enamel. If you are having it done by a professional, they will apply a mixture with a high concentration of whitening agent. Your gums will be protected beforehand with a latex plate so that the soft tissue is not damaged in the process. Neither laser nor ultraviolet light is used. Chemical bonding is contraindicated if the patient has polymer fillings, crowns or veneers.

• Intracanal bleaching

This method is also called endo-bleaching. This procedure is indicated if the tooth is heavily blackened after a root canal treatment or filling. Your dentist prepares the tooth, puts a special filling material in the tooth and then fills it. When the result is achieved, the tooth is restored. This type of whitening can be done only once.

• Laser whitening

If you want to have your teeth whitened, only your doctor can determine which method is best. He or she will recommend the one that best suits your situation. Laser whitening is currently the safest and most popular method of whitening your teeth. The effect is long-lasting. Therefore, despite the higher cost compared to other techniques, this method is very beneficial. Your teeth can be 7 to 10 shades lighter.

There are the following

Types of teeth whitening at home:

• Whitening pencil

This is a great way to quickly whiten your teeth literally on the go. Its convenient form and effective content allow you to easily apply a whitening solution to your tooth enamel while sitting at a coffee shop table or at work. Such a device is relevant for lovers of coffee and strong tea. The components of the whitening agent give back a lighter shade of enamel in just 10 minutes, and are used to maintain and extend the effect of clinical bonding methods.

• Kappa system

Custom-made mouth-guard gel can be used for home use and can be obtained from the dentist. A simpler set with a standard mouth-guard can be obtained from the pharmacy. A small concentration of urea or hydrogen peroxide in the gel can lighten teeth by as little as 5 to 8 shades. If you are not happy with the whitening process, it is worth searching for information about it on the internet. You may do this by typing "in-clinic teeth whitening" into a search engine to find out about all the available options.

• The strips

They contain a small concentration of hydrogen peroxide gel. For great results, the strips should be glued on the teeth and left on for the time specified in the instructions. This will help to lighten the enamel by about 3 to 5 shades.

• Whitening pastes

This is one of the ineffective ways to bleach your teeth. Whitening toothpastes and tooth rinses may increase whiteness a little, but it will only make you 1 tone whiter. Dentists advise using these products to permanently maintain the colour that has been achieved through professional whitening. To find out which method is better to choose, it is better to get acquainted with all available techniques in advance, find articles on the request teeth whitening by dentist pros and cons, they will tell you about all the details of the process.

• Gels and varnishes.

They help to lighten the enamel by 1 to 2 shades. They contain re-mineralizing ingredients, can be easily and quickly applied with a brush or a paintbrush. After regular application for a fortnight, you will notice the enamel lightening.

Many dentists advise not to use home remedies as a standalone tooth whitening treatment, but as a supportive treatment after professional whitening in the clinic.

Teeth Whitening for:

• Those whose teeth are stained or yellowed from smoking.
• Those whose teeth are stained or yellowed from drinking coffee or wine.
• Those whose teeth have yellowed with age.

Teeth Whitening Duration:

• The procedure lasts from 30 to 90 minutes.
• 1-3 visits may be needed to get the best results.

Teeth Whitening Recovwry Timeline:

• Return to normal activities the same day with no recovery time in most cases.
• Teeth may be sensitive for a couple of days.

Possible Riscs for Teeth Whitening:

• Sensitive teeth
• Root damage

• For 48 hours after teeth whitening, you should completely avoid eating any colourful foods. 
• Within 2 days after bleaching, completely stop smoking tobacco products. During the next 2 weeks, reduce the number of cigarettes smoked as much as possible.
• After bleaching procedures, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene: floss, use a good toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash and irrigator.
• In case of discomfort/pain, take a painkiller.

• Is teeth whitening safe?

• Teeth Whitening and Bleaching