Surely you have wondered why your teeth do not become as white as you would like them to be through regular brushing. Or what the difference is between regular toothpaste and the OnlySmile products and how exactly they work. Today, we will discuss the exact functioning of teeth whitening and why simple tooth brushing usually does not give you a radiant white smile.
Natural teeth whiteners
If you look at the back of almost every toothpaste available in the supermarket, you will find that nearly all of these products contain fluoride, usually indicated by the label: Sodium Fluoride. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in drinking water, meat, and seafood. It is primarily known for its antibacterial properties in the oral cavity and its positive effects on bones and teeth (Clarkson, 2000). In simple terms, it can be said that while fluoride contributes to the health of teeth, it does not contribute to whitening. Other home remedies like baking soda or coconut oil are also discouraged due to their largely unknown or potentially harmful long-term effects.
How can I get my teeth whiter now?
The method recommended by dentists (BZÄK e.V., 2021) is the use of a chemical bleaching agent, such as hydrogen peroxide. This shows the greatest and best-researched effect. Hydrogen peroxide acts as an oxidizing agent on the dyes in the tooth, and the breakdown of those color substances results in whiter teeth. And exactly that can also be found in our OnlySmile Teeth Whitening Gel.
How long does the bleaching effect last and what should I pay attention to?
The effect lasts up to a maximum of 6 months, depending on your natural tooth color and eating habits. After that, you can expect a natural darkening of the teeth at the latest. Since hydrogen peroxide in high concentrations can cause irritation, especially of the sensitive gums, the EU has stipulated in its Cosmetics Regulation (2011/84/EU) that for private use, only a maximum of 0.1% hydrogen peroxide may be present in creams and gels for teeth whitening. At Only-Smile, we pay close attention to the well-being of our customers, and we do a lot to prevent unwanted reactions due to misuse. Therefore, we include an instruction leaflet with each of our products that precisely describes how to use our respective product. If you follow this instruction leaflet, you are definitely always on the safe side.
Why is there an LED lamp included in the OnlySmile teeth whitening kit?
Lamps and specific light can enhance the efficiency of the bleaching gel. In particular, with warm lamps, such as those used in UV or laser lamps, small channels on the tooth surface open up, allowing the gel to penetrate faster and work deeper, which can lead to improved results.
Unfortunately, recent research has shown that heat-emitting lamps should be avoided, as they can also cause lasting damage to the tooth nerves and may lead to dehydration of the teeth (BZÄK e.V., 2021).
Therefore, it is advisable to bleach with cold light and to optimally coordinate the gel and light with each other. This is exactly the case with our OnlySmile teeth whitening set, as LEDs, known as cold light, exhibit the least possible heat development and can therefore whiten the teeth best with minimal damage (Zhang et al.; 2007). Since both the lamp and the gel come from the same manufacturer, they are perfectly coordinated and deliver the best possible results.
Conclusion
To effectively and long-term whiten teeth from home, it is advisable to use a product with 0.1% hydrogen peroxide content and a cold light LED, such as our OnlySmile Teeth Whitening Kit the case is.
Curious? Here you will find our Blog with more exciting and informative articles and here our OnlySmile Teeth Whitening Kit.
Sources
- Zhang C., Wang, X., Kinoshita, J., Zhao, B., Toko, T., Kimura, Y., & Matsumoto, K. (2007). Effects of KTP Laser Irradiation, Diode Laser, and LED on Tooth Bleaching: A Comparative Study. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 25(2), 91-95. http://doi.org/10.1089/pho.2006.2025
- Clarkson, J.J. and McLoughlin, J. (2000), Role of fluoride in oral health promotion. International Dental Journal, 50(10), 119-128. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1875-595X.2000.tb00552.x
- Federal Chamber of Dentists (BZÄK e.V.), B.-A. of the D. Z. 2021). Teeth whitening / Bleaching. Federal Chamber of Dentists - Working Group of the German Dental Chambers e.V. (BZÄK). Retrieved June 27, 2021, from https://www.bzaek.de/fuer-patienten/zahn-und-mundgesundheit/zahnaufhellung-bleaching.html
- Directive 2010/84/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 December 2010 amending Directive 2001/83/EC to establish a Community code for human medicinal products regarding pharmacovigilanceText of relevance to the EEA. (2011). 26.
Photos: © OnlySmile, © Dean Drobot – shutterstock.com
Author: Johann Zipprich (blogguru.de)