Dr. Shriniwas Kulkarni

How do your teeth become stained?
Teeth discoloration is generally caused by stain causing beverages. These include coffee, red wine, tea and some other hard drinks. Use of tobacco, excessive fluoride and dark colored berries may also cause staining of teeth.

Why do you need dental bleaching?
Our tooth is the hardest calcified substance, which mechanically helps us to break food particles into minute ones so that they are easily digestible by the body. They aid in our appearance. Hence, having white stain free teeth is a joy.

The concept of dental bleaching or teeth whitening
Dental bleaching or teeth whitening is a process of removing the stains from our teeth and to reveal them as milky white. There are 2 types of teeth whitening, whiten and non-whiten. Dental plaque, betel chewing, tobacco tar, drinking dark color liquids like coffee, tea are some reasons why our teeth get stained. The mineral structure of the tooth becomes phosphate deficient. The enamel layer gradually thins and gets perforated. Hence tooth whitening is required. 

The dentist removes the eccentric stains as well as intrinsic stains using hydrogen peroxide. Carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide is available as bleaching strips, bleaching pen and as bleaching gel for tooth whitening. Laser tooth whitening technology is also used for this purpose. Increases in the sensitivity of the teeth, irritation in the gums are some of the side effects in teeth whitening process. This procedure of teeth whitening must be essentially done under medical supervision. This is not a one time job and may require more sittings with the doctor depending on the amount of stain in the teeth as well as the whiteners required.

Bleaching or teeth whitening is not recommended for the following people:

1. Children below the age of 16 should not undergo this procedure.
2. Individuals with sensitive gums and teeth should consult a dentist prior to using teeth whitening.

Whitening Procedures

1. Vital Whitening: It is performed on teeth that have live nerves. Here the gel is applied directly on the tooth surface.
2. Non Vital Whitening: This procedure is applied if the patient has undergone root canal treatment.

Is dental bleaching a requirement or just a craze?
Dental bleaching should not become a craze or mania because unhealthy obsession for extremely white teeth will lead to body dysmorphic disorder. This is a mental disorder in which a person cannot stop thinking about one or more perceived defects in his or her appearance.

Teeth whitening should be done only when necessary. People who have unrealistic expectations with:

1. dental bleaching should not opt for this procedure.
2. Also, bleaching or teeth whitening is not recommended for the following people:
3. Children below the age of 16 should not undergo this procedure.
4. Individuals with sensitive gums and teeth should consult a dentist prior to using teeth whitening.