How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Are you self-conscious about showing those “pearly whites”? Well, you are not alone. White teeth often paint a youthful, healthy appearance, but in reality, most people’s teeth are not as white as they would like them to be. If it seems that any amount of brushing or cleaning does not appear to make your teeth pearly white, you may want to consider going for teeth whitening treatment. Read on to find out more about what exactly teeth whitening is and what you should know before deciding to opt for it.

What is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is the process of bleaching your teeth to make them look whiter. While it cannot make one’s teeth completely white, it can reduce stains and lighten the teeth. There are many forms of teeth whitening in Singapore, the ones carried out by a dental professional usually makes use of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to remove stains from different layers of the teeth. There are also off-the-counter kits that individuals may purchase and do on their own at home. Mirage Aesthetic provides LED teeth whitening treatment using non-peroxide gel, to maximise efficacy while maintaining your teeth health and does not cause sensitivity.

Teeth whitening only works on natural teeth and not prosthetic teeth. However, if you are bothered by the difference in colour between your natural teeth and prosthetic teeth, you can always whiten your teeth to match the colour of your dental implants.

It is important to note that LED teeth whitening in Singapore is not a permanent process. Your teeth’s new shade can last for around a few months to a few years, depending on your lifestyle. Of course, if you constantly consume coffee, tea, wine, tobacco or other staining agents, the whiteness of your teeth may not last for that long.

How do Teeth Get Stained, Anyway?

Teeth, just like our skin, have pores. There are two main types of stains that teeth can get: intrinsic and extrinsic.

Extrinsic stains occur on the outer layer of the tooth and are caused by molecules that stick to the coating of bacteria on the outer surface of our teeth. These molecules usually come from coloured food and drinks such as soft drinks, coffee, red wine, sauces, and berries. Extrinsic stains can also be caused by other habits, such as smoking. Since extrinsic stains are only on the outside of the teeth, they are easier to remove than intrinsic stains.

On the other hand, intrinsic stains occur within the inner layer of the tooth – called the dentin. They are not caused by the food or drinks we consume like extrinsic stains are, but rather come about as a result of genetics, ageing, trauma, or conditions such as high blood pressure and the flu. Ageing, however, is by far the most common reason for intrinsic stains. Over the years, the pulp of our teeth shrink and the dentin thickens, giving the teeth a yellowish look. Other causes of intrinsic stains include medications, which can potentially cause defects in the tooth enamel and result in stained teeth. Of course, intrinsic stains are typically more difficult to remove than extrinsic stains since they are on the inner layer of the tooth.

What Happens During the Teeth Whitening Process?

There are several types of teeth whitening available in Singapore.

One version of teeth whitening is, the dentist will make a mould of your teeth and teach you how to use a whitening gel with it. You will then apply the gel using the mouthguard at home. Most bleaching gels are meant to be applied for a certain period of time over two to four weeks, though some gels allow you to leave them on for up to eight hours – shortening the treatment duration to about a week.

Another type of teeth whitening is laser whitening. In laser whitening, the bleaching substance is applied directly to your teeth, and then a laser or LED light is shone on them which starts the whitening process. This procedure is much shorter than using a bleaching gel – it takes about an hour in a single session.

At Mirage Aesthetic, the treatment uses LED blue wavelength light to activate our non-peroxide teeth whitening gel. LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. It is a device that releases visible light when supplied with an electrical current. The LED light is controlled by the microcomputer inside the machine, catalyzing the laser whitening pharmacy to speed up the reaction and causing free oxygen radicals to be formed. Any discoloured substances in the enamel (the top layer of the tooth) are then able to be removed effectively.

Are There Any Side Effects of Teeth Whitening?

One common concern our patients have is whether teeth whitening is a safe procedure. Regardless of the type of procedure you choose, teeth whitening may carry risks due to the chemicals involved in the process. For instance, your gums and teeth may be sensitive to hydrogen peroxide and become irritated if they come into contact with the chemical. Another common side effect is tooth sensitivity following the first few times you undergo teeth whitening. However, at Mirage Aesthetic, we only use HSA-approved non-peroxide gel to ensure that tooth sensitivity does not occur. Individuals may achieve up to 8 shades whiter in a single session.

First Timer Special Promotion

Want to try it out for yourself? First-time customers of Mirage Aesthetic may enjoy our LED Teeth Whitening treatment at only $138 before GST. Call us at 6262 3358 (Orchard) or 6266 0228 (Westgate) or 6721 9028 (Scotts Square) to find out more.