So, what exactly is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is a combination of the physical process of removing stains by abrasion (brushing teeth), but also the chemical process of breaking down stains by oxidation.

External stains form on the surface of the tooth, and internal stains form on the enamel and dentin microcracks. To partially remove external stains or stains on the enamel surface, we can use tooth whitening pastes, floss and mouthwashes, but only chemical teeth whitening can remove stubborn external stains and unsightly internal stains that make your teeth look stained.

How does teeth whitening work?

The use of oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide and PAP breaks down the stain components on the teeth located on or just below the tooth enamel. The process takes place in such a way that the bleaching agents enter through the enamel of teeth and and break down large pigmented molecules into smaller, simpler forms, resulting in an overall whiter appearance of the tooth.

What causes staining?

There are several reasons why teeth lose their natural whiteness. Some we cannot control, such as ageing or accidents in youth that can disrupt the development of our tooth enamel. However, the most common stains on teeth are caused by lifestyle habits, ie the consumption of highly colored ingredients of common foods and beverages such as red wine, coca cola, tea, coffee, berries, and also tobacco. Over time, the components of these materials accumulate on the teeth and cause staining. Poor dental hygiene, forgetting about brushing and cleaning teeth, teeth can cause plaque and food stains to accumulate.