Types of tooth whitening

A whiter and brighter smile is possible nowadays thanks to tooth whitening treatments. In the natural ageing process of teeth, it is common for them to change colour. Fortunately, for each case there are different types of tooth whitening that are adapted to the needs of the patient.

In addition to the darkening of the teeth due to progressive wear of the enamel, stains can also appear due to the consumption of foods and beverages that colour the teeth.

Whitening teeth that are in full health is not the same as whitening teeth that have undergone certain processes beforehand. Therefore it is important that you know the types of tooth whitening that exist and, with the help of your dentist, select the most suitable one according to your needs.

What is tooth whitening?

Tooth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry treatment through which dental stains are removed so that the enamel looks whiter and brighter.

Within aesthetic dentistry, whitening has become the most popular and in-demand treatment at the dentist's surgery in recent years.

There are different techniques, systems and products to achieve teeth whitening. Among these methods we find whitening toothpastes, gels, tooth whitening kits and, of course, different options, such as tooth whitening at home or in the dental clinic, always under the supervision of the dentist.

Tooth whitening is ideal for all those with healthy gums and teeth who wish to improve the appearance of their smile. If the shade of the teeth is yellowish, the results are much more visible. However, this cosmetic procedure is not recommended for all types of mouths.

Types of tooth whitening

Let's focus on the most common techniques for whitening teeth:

Tooth whitening in the clinic

Tooth whitening procedures performed at the dentist's clinic are more advanced and effective procedures. The products used are more precise, and it is therefore necessary to follow the guidelines set by the specialist, so that they act specifically on the enamel, protecting the gums.

In this case, a whitening gel is applied which is activated by pulsed light. This technique allows tooth whitening in a single session. The whitening gel may be composed of different active ingredients and it will be the professional who will assess which is most suitable and effective for the patient.

The session will take no more than an hour, achieving a smile several shades lighter.

What is LED tooth whitening?

There are several types of professional tooth whitening, although they all use the same active ingredient. The application of a hydrogen peroxide gel on the surface of the teeth is common to all in-office treatments.

With the use of the professional cold light lamp, the molecules present in the whitening gel are activated and accelerate its whitening action. Known as photoactivation whitening, it uses a high-power LED light capable of lightening several shades when teeth have a more intense colouring.

It is a fast, effective and highly durable procedure. However, it is very important to to use LED teeth whitening under the supervision of a professional in order to obtain the desired results, avoiding possible damage to the enamel and gum mucosa.

Internal tooth whitening

Another type of tooth whitening that is applied in the dental practice is that which is carried out on non-vital teeth. When the tooth has been previously devitalised or has undergone an endodontic process in which the nerve has been 'killed', the enamel may darken with time.

By acting from the inside of the tooth, it is possible to even out the shade with respect to the rest of the vital teeth surrounding the tooth treated with endodontics. The treatment is carried out in several sessions in the clinic through a totally painless treatment until the desired effect is achieved. 

Tooth whitening at home (at-home)

It is a simpler and cheaper option, but you should be aware that the results are not as fast as with professional treatments in the clinic.

At-hometooth whitening is carried out with lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and by application in splints made in the dental clinic. This method is carried out at home under Indications of the dentist and, as in the case of in-clinic treatment, a professional tooth cleaning and an oral check-up must be carried out beforehand.

It is usual to apply the splints with the gel four to five hours a day, so the easiest time to do this is during sleeping hours.

The tooth whitening process lasts approximately four weeks. During which it is important to attend the check-up appointment scheduled by the dentist to monitor the evolution of the colour of the teeth and the overall condition of the mouth.

What is mixed whitening and how long does it last?

With the advantages of in-clinic teeth whitening with home treatment, the mixed whitening consists of a very convenient process that allows to achieve the desired enamel colorationmaintaining it over time. It is called mixed because it combines in-clinic and at-home teeth whitening. 

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When teeth are very deteriorated or have stains that do not disappear in a single session, this treatment is very useful.

Bleaching or maintenance adjuvants

Once the desired effect on the colour of the teeth has been achieved , it is time to preserve it for as long as possible. In this case, rather than dental whitening, we refer to the maintenance and correct preservation of teeth with lighter shades. For this purpose, a whitening toothpaste for daily use is used (physical polishing).

Depending on the discolouration of the teeth, the specialist dentist will advise one type of whitening or another to achieve an optimal result. None of these techniques is universal for all patients, nor does everyone need the same concentration of whitening agents.

It is therefore normal that the results of tooth whitening vary depending on the technique and products used.

How to perform a dental whitening at home?

A correct oral hygiene routine is essential to maintain the natural whiteness of the teeth. It is advisable not to delay oral hygiene for more than 20 minutes after consuming food and drinks, especially those that are known to cause staining, such as coffee or tea. It is very useful to complement the oral hygiene routine with the use of maintenance whitening products.

At Laboratorios KIN we have a number of products specifically designed to preserve the whiteness of teeth either through physical or chemical agents. For this reason, we offer our customers the following possibilities:

FKD Blanqueador

It consists of a whitening toothpaste with micropulverized bicarbonate, capable of generating a physical polishing of the tooth enamel surface.

It is for daily use and has an aesthetic effect, so no prescription is needed to purchase it and it does not require supervision by a dentist. It progressively removes stains without damaging the enamel.

WhiteKIN toothpaste + gel

This tooth whitening is an outpatient professional whitening treatment. It can only be purchased in dental clinics as the chemical whitener used requires the supervision of a dentist.

The gel is formulated with 3% carbamide peroxide, a highly effective whitening agent. The toothpaste contains 5% lactoperoxidase, a natural enzyme that accelerates and enhances the whitening effect and protects the oral mucosa. It can be used for treatment and maintenance.

WhiteKIN Mouthwash

This is a coadjuvant rinse in the whitening treatment. You can find it in pharmacies and its use does not require supervision by a dentist.

What is the best tooth whitening treatment?

As you can see, the range of possibilities when it comes to choosing tooth whitening is quite wide. We recommend that you consult your dentist for an initial check-up to determine which type of tooth whitening treatment  is best suited to your requirements.

Of course, you can also help yourself with KIN products to keep your smile healthy and perfect at home every day of the year. Choose yours from all types of tooth whitening, and show off your perfect teeth by taking the right care of them.