Tooth whitening is a process by which the discolorations or stains on the teeth are chemically lightened. There are two main types of active whitening ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, for strong fast whitening, and Carbamide peroxide, for gentle slower whitening. The graph below shows the comparison of whitening strength in different Pola Tooth Whitening Systems.
When a whitening product is applied to the teeth, it breaks down into water and oxygen ions. The oxygen ions enter the enamel and attack the long stain molecules to effectively break them down to be short and colourless. These short and colourless molecules are then naturally removed from the tooth by saliva. The intensity of whitening is related to the number of oxygen ions available and the length of time they are on the tooth.
There are various forms of tooth discolouration that can be whitened, including:
- Food
- Beverages
- Smoking
- Ageing
- Disease
- Medical treatment
- Poor oral hygiene
- Genetic conditions
- Fluorosis
- Some medications
- Some Illnesses
A whitening maintenance plan helps prevent the re-occurring build-up of stain molecules, ensuring your teeth are always looking their best. We will work with you to create a maintenance program to suit you.