How Does Tooth Whitening Work?

Many people are excited when they hear the prospect that they will be able to whiten their teeth by applying a simple gel, once per day, for 2 weeks. The minimal hassle of this system, combined with the tremendous results means that ultimately, tooth whitening is easy and trouble free.

But how does it work? How is it that a simple gel can result in such incredible cosmetic benefits - without damaging the delicate material that the teeth are comprised from?

We set out to find the answers to these questions. Below is a detailed guide as to exactly how tooth whitening (especially home based systems) works, and how you are able to achieve the best possible results.

Working on a Microscopic Level

The first thing you need to understand about teeth whitening is that the gel you will be using works on a microscopic level. This means that you won't be able to see the process of what is happening, and you won't see it actually "happening" before your eyes.

For some people - this is a bit of a disappointment. However, for most logical people, anything which promises to whiten your teeth overnight should send up red flags as being dangerous.

Modern day whitening systems work through the following process:

• Gel is applied to the outside of the tooth.
• Gel interacts with the enamel and the materials on the teeth.
• Stains and marks are removed first - providing a first level of whitening.
• The enamel is renewed and refreshed - providing a second level of whitening.

The first stage, where the gel is used to remove existing stains and blemishes, takes around 2 weeks. After this time, even if you didn't think that you had any stains on your teeth, it is almost certain that each tooth will be up to 3 shades whiter.

Continuing the Whitening Process

This is because in most cases, people don't know that they actually have stains. Following this period, a further 6 weeks will allow the teeth to further shine and whiten, because of the refining action of the gel, and the way that it interacts with the teeth.

When your teeth have reached the desired level of shine, you are able to stop using the product - and the resulting effects should last up to 3 years!