Almost Everything About Teeth Whitening (Frequently Asked Questions, Procedure, Precautions, Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, Tooth Sensitivity, Foods to Avoid)

Today at Seoul Saeng Dental Clinic,

we have gathered the questions

that patients receiving teeth whitening

ask most often.

If you are interested in

a confident white smile,

please take 1 minute to read carefully.^^

We have organized the questions

we heard most often in the clinic

before whitening treatment

during whitening treatment

after whitening treatment

into separate sections.

Start!

Things to know before professional teeth whitening!

The mechanism of teeth whitening

Teeth whitening is a process that brightens teeth by breaking down pigments deposited inside the teeth.

To do this, a high-concentration whitening agent is applied to the teeth.

By repeating this process, a more dramatic whitening effect can be achieved.

The main ingredient of the whitening agent, a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide, decomposes in the oral cavity and releases oxygen. This oxygen enters the enamel and dentin and breaks down the stained substances, making the teeth appear brighter.

Thorough examination before treatment

Before whitening treatment, the head doctor personally performs a careful oral examination.

Through this, the condition of the teeth and gums is accurately assessed, and it is determined whether whitening treatment is appropriate.

In addition, scaling and similar procedures remove staining substances from the tooth surface to maximize the whitening effect.

Are there people who should not receive whitening treatment?

Professional whitening treatment is a safe procedure recognized by dentists around the world.

Its safety has already been proven in many studies.

However, it is generally not recommended for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and children under 13.

There have been no reports that teeth whitening is harmful to pregnant women, but a pregnant woman’s body is very sensitive.

In particular, they are more prone to gum disease and are more likely to have pregnancy gingivitis. In such cases, the whitening agent may cause a very sensitive reaction if it comes into contact with the gums.

Because sitting in a dental chair for a long time for teeth whitening can be stressful, it is better to undergo whitening after giving birth if possible.

I have prosthetics/resin on my front teeth

Prosthetic materials do not whiten.

In such cases, methods such as redoing the prosthetic treatment after whitening are recommended.

Sometimes, people buy over-the-counter whitening products and proceed on their own, only to run into trouble because only the prosthetic or resin areas do not whiten.

To avoid such cases, it is better to visit the dental clinic and receive a consultation.

If a resin restoration has discolored after a long period of time, whitening treatment will not solve it, and the resin must be restored again.

Can teeth whitening give you teeth as white as advertising models? X

Teeth whitening breaks down pigments lodged in the tiny pores of the teeth using whitening agents, restoring the teeth’s original color.

Tooth color differs from person to person and also varies by area of the tooth.

For example, canines are darker in color than other teeth.

Also, the closer you get to the root of the tooth, the less white enamel there is on the surface and the more yellow dentin there is in the inner layer, so the teeth take on a yellowish, dull tone.

Therefore, it is difficult to have uniformly white teeth like the models in advertisements.

Uniform, porcelain-like white teeth are achieved with porcelain crowns or laminates, which are thin porcelain films.

Does teeth whitening weaken the teeth? X

After teeth whitening, you may feel sensitivity or pain when drinking cold water.

Because of this, many people feel that their teeth have become weaker, but in fact the hydrogen peroxide contained in the whitening agent enters through the tiny pores of the teeth and breaks down and removes stained proteins, indirectly stimulating the nerves and causing sensitivity or mild pain.

These symptoms subside after 1 to 2 days.

If the pain is unbearably severe or continues for more than a week, there may be another problem such as gum disease, and appropriate treatment should be received.

Also, age-related yellowing is not caused by pigment deposits; it is caused by wear on the tooth surface exposing the inner layer, so whitening treatment is unlikely to be effective.

Things to know during professional teeth whitening treatment!

Can whitening and scaling be done on the same day?

Of course.

There are various enzymes in the oral cavity that interfere with the use of whitening agents.

Therefore, scaling and tooth polishing are very important for activating the whitening agent’s effect.

Careful protection during treatment

During whitening treatment, a protective agent is used to protect the tiny gaps between the gums and teeth.

This minimizes sensitivity caused by the whitening agent and increases patient comfort.

Does whitening treatment hurt?

Since it is a treatment using medication, it does not hurt.

During whitening treatment, most patients listen to music or even sleep.

Seoul Saeng Dental Clinic’s SNOW teeth whitening is prepared so that you can receive treatment in a comfortable position.

What medication is used at Seoul Saeng Dental Clinic?

Our clinic uses the same medication, "Trinity," that is used in the Department of Conservative Dentistry at Seoul National University Dental Hospital, providing safe and effective whitening treatment.

Things to know after professional teeth whitening treatment!

The effect of whitening agents or whitening strips sold at drugstores

Whitening products sold at supermarkets or pharmacies have very low concentrations.

Therefore, it may take several months to brighten the teeth by a few shades.

However, if used by people who have already received whitening treatment, they can help maintain brighter teeth.

I heard teeth become sensitive after whitening treatment?

Depending on the characteristics of your teeth, temporary sensitivity may appear after whitening. However, this symptom disappears after 1 to 3 days.

Maintenance of whitening effects and the need for repeat treatment

Whitening agents penetrate deep into the teeth and break down pigments.

However, they may become stained again due to eating habits in daily life.

Therefore, regular repeat treatment may be necessary to maintain the whitening effect for a long time.

In general, the whitening effect lasts about 1 year, and after that, additional treatment should be considered.

After whitening treatment, it is good to manage your teeth so they do not become stained again.

Using whitening toothpaste or whitening strips may also help, but we recommend receiving one additional touch-up whitening maintenance program once every 6 months to 1 year.

Foods to avoid after whitening

Strongly pigmented foods and tobacco that we consume every day are causes of tooth discoloration.

Therefore, even after whitening, re-staining from discoloring foods such as cola, green tea, curry, chocolate, and wine, as well as smoking, is possible. To prevent this, you should brush thoroughly after eating foods that discolor teeth or after smoking.

After whitening treatment, the teeth become more sensitive to external substances and are more likely to become stained.

Therefore, it is better to avoid the following foods:

• Coffee: Contains strong pigments and is one of the main causes of tooth staining.

• Black tea: Like coffee, it has a high pigment content and can cause tooth staining.

• Cola: A dark-colored carbonated drink that can not only stain teeth but also increase the risk of tooth erosion due to its acidity.

• Red wine: Contains dark pigments and acid, which can affect tooth staining.

• Curry: Its strong yellow pigment can cause staining on teeth.

It is best to avoid consuming these foods for at least about 1 week after whitening.

Also, smoking is a major cause of tooth staining, so it is advisable to refrain from it.

Teeth whitening requires professional treatment and aftercare.

At our clinic, we prioritize patient safety and satisfaction and provide the best possible treatment.

If you have any questions or would like a consultation, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Lastly,

we would like to introduce before-and-after photos of people who experienced Seoul Saeng Dental Clinic’s SNOW teeth whitening.^^

The No. 1 dental clinic in Sinchon,

Directions to Seoul Saeng Dental Clinic

Sinchon Station Exit 1 or 2

3rd floor of Olive Young.

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