How Bright Should You Whiten Your Teeth? - Empire Dental (2024)

FAQs

How Bright Should You Whiten Your Teeth? - Empire Dental? ›

However, there may be some cases where brightening your teeth 4-7 shades may be the best option for your smile. When deciding how white to whiten your teeth, it is recommended to not pick a shade that is whiter than the whites of your eyes. This prevents your teeth from looking unnaturally white.

Tooth whitening is most often done using peroxide-based bleaching agents. At-home systems contain from 3% to 20% peroxide (carbamide or hydrogen peroxides). In-office systems contain from 15% to 43% peroxide. Generally, the stronger the solution and the longer you keep it on your teeth, the whiter your teeth become.

The ideal shade of white targeted during teeth whitening treatments is a few shades lighter than the white of the patient's eyes. Whitening treatments can make teeth whiter than that, but the results typically would not look natural compared to the rest of the patient's physical features.

Choosing a Tooth Color

For subtle results, go two or three shades lighter than the current shade of your teeth, and no whiter than the white of your eye.

-Safety and Side Effects: Both hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are considered very safe when used correctly. Neither have been shown to cause serious damage.

These then oxidise, or break up, larger pigment molecules into smaller, less visible molecules that can be absorbed by the body – this is whitening! By the European Directive on teeth whitening, dental professionals are only permitted to sell products that contain a maximum of 6% hydrogen peroxide.

Clinical implications: If performed under the careful guidance of a dentist, at-home whitening is an effective treatment, regardless of whether 10 percent CP or 15 percent CP is used. There may be added color change and varying sensitivity with the use of 15 percent CP.

Yellow teeth can be completely whitened with teeth whitening technologies at the dentist or at home. Depending on the status of your yellow teeth as well as your needs, the doctor will advise and prescribe the appropriate method.

Even whitening your teeth as little as 2-3 shades can make your smile brighter without drastically changing the color of your teeth. However, there may be some cases where brightening your teeth 4-7 shades may be the best option for your smile.

Make your teeth look whiter – Darker shades like royal/navy blue, purple, and even black can make the color of your teeth appear whiter. Even so, be aware that colors like dark green and brown can look like food. What about white braces – Although this may be a color you were thinking of, you may want to stray away.

What shade are Hollywood white teeth? ›

Hollywood White Teeth

In such a situation, the teeth are bleached. The bleached shades of whiteness include OM1, OM2 and OM3. OM1 is the lightest, OM2 is darker, and OM3 is the darkest shade of bleached white.

As with UV light, halogen light is best used in dental offices. LED (light-emitting diode) produces blue light to intensify the teeth-whitening process without radiating heat to the teeth. You can find LED devices used in both over-the-counter products and treatments performed by your dentist.

If you're at home and trying to decide if you're finished whitening or not, a good rule of thumb is that your teeth should be no whiter than the whites of your eyes. This is a good shade to aim for, as you can be sure it will look natural on you. Another general rule of thumb is to use your skin tone and complexion.

If any gel comes in contact with your gums, wipe it off with your finger or a tissue to provide temporary whitening of the gums. If whitening of the gums occurs, it is very temporary (a few days) but can cause a burning sensation. Leave the trays in your mouth for 20-30 minutes when using 35% Carbamide Peroxide.

The gel used by dentists can have 35% – 45% peroxide in it. More the peroxide, the faster the whitening. So within an hour-long session, you could have up to three – eight shades brighter teeth. At-home whitening gels have 3% – 20% peroxide.

This suggests that low-concentration treatments of hydrogen peroxide, applied for shorter periods, have the least potential to damage your teeth. According to a 2004 study, scientists found that a 5 percent hydrogen peroxide solution was just as effective as a 25 percent solution at whitening teeth.

The American Dental Association has recommended a maximum of 10 percent for teeth whitening. Gels that are available for at-home trays have a concentration of 22 percent. The maximum that can be used is 35 percent, which is approximately what you will find at the dentist's office.

There are four strengths available: - 6% Hydrogen Peroxide: the strongest EU accepted gel, wear from as little as 30-90 minutes a day - 16% Carbamide Peroxide: high strength gel, wear from as little as 1-2 hours a day - 10% Carbamide Peroxide: the original strength for overnight gels, wear for 2-4 hours a day or ...

The gel used by dentists can have 35% – 45% peroxide in it. More the peroxide, the faster the whitening. So within an hour-long session, you could have up to three – eight shades brighter teeth. At-home whitening gels have 3% – 20% peroxide.

For the past 60 years or so, swishing with hydrogen peroxide has been a “whitening fad” in oral health regimens. Usually store-bought hydrogen peroxide has a concentration of about 3%, so it's safe for your mouth. At only 3% hydrogen peroxide and 97% water, it's so unstable that it can just turn into water over time.