Bleaching: What should be considered when whitening teeth?
Bleaching, i.e. bleaching the teeth, is a popular method to whiten the teeth and make them shine white. Teeth whitening can be done at the dentist, but there are also ways to whiten teeth at home. In this way, a sometimes clear before-and-after effect can be achieved. But the different methods have advantages and disadvantages. How much does cosmetic teeth whitening cost? Is bleaching healthy or does it damage teeth? You can find out all this and more here!
Bleaching: how to whiten teeth?
Many people want white teeth for a bright smile. But over time, our teeth turn yellowish. Then the bleaching (English for bleaching) of the teeth represents a possibility to lighten them and make them appear whiter. Tooth whitening can be done, for example, using strips that you simply stick on the teeth or by applying special gel. The active substance  hydrogen peroxide, which helps to bleach the teeth, is usually used.
Why do teeth discolour?
There are very few people who naturally have really white teeth. In addition, tea , coffee , nicotine or red wine leave visible marks on our teeth. Even mouthwashes with the active ingredient chlorhexidine can contribute to the discoloration of our teeth. But not only plaque and discoloration from the outside make the teeth yellowish, thin tooth enamel also allows the underlying dentin, the dentin with its yellowish color, to shine through.
Tooth enamel is the hardest tissue the human body has to offer. It consists of tiny crystals, the so-called enamel prisms. The iridescent effect is created by bending the light at the prisms. However  , this effect is lost externally due to plaque and discoloration.
But internal discolouration is also very common: root fillings, medication  (e.g. the antibiotic  tetracycline) or injuries to the tooth are among the most common causes of yellowing teeth. In addition, dead teeth turn gray over time because they are no longer supplied with nutrients.
By the way: Not only our real teeth discolor over time, but also artificial teeth and plastic fillings.
Teeth bleaching: what bleaching methods are there?
Teeth whitening can be done in a number of ways:
- Bleaching your teeth yourself with tooth whiteners for the home
- Cosmetic teeth whitening at the dentist
- Natural teeth whitening with home remedies
How do these methods work? How long does the bleaching last? How much does bleaching cost? What are the advantages and disadvantages? We have examined the various whitening processes for you.
At-home teeth whitening
There are several over-the-counter teeth whitening products available in pharmacies and drugstores. It is important to know, however, that these only work on external discolouration.
Almost all tooth whiteners contain carbamide peroxide (a mixture of carbamide and hydrogen peroxide), for example in the form of a gel that is applied with a brush (bleaching pen) or as adhesive strips (strips) that are placed over the teeth. After application, oxygen radicals are formed, which lighten the dyes in the tooth enamel.
In addition to pens and strips, there are also bleaching powders (usually with activated charcoal ) and toothpaste, as well as pre-made splints filled with bleaching gel. All remedies must be used several times and should not come into contact with the gums, mucous membranes or lips.
How much does bleaching cost and how long does it last?
The packs are usually sufficient for 14 days, during which time the teeth can become a few shades lighter. This fairly inexpensive form of bleaching (cost: between 15 and 30 euros depending on the preparation) lasts up to six months.
How well does home whitening work?
Home bleaching products should only be used after a professional teeth cleaning and a thorough check by the dentist. The problem with the strips is that they only reach the area from the front teeth to the canines. The teeth behind it can later appear unsightly because they remain dark. Unless you have completely even teeth, bleaching with strips does not always reach the entire tooth, which can lead to a blotchy result.
Agents with activated charcoal are considered completely unsuitable for tooth whitening, because the powder has a similar effect to sandpaper and sands down the enamel over time, which even promotes discoloration.
Whitening toothpaste is usually cheaper than other tooth whiteners and very easy to use, but it also has less effects and – if it contains so-called abrasive ingredients – like activated charcoal it can have an abrasive effect that damages the tooth enamel.
When choosing your tooth whitener, make sure that the product does not contain more than 0.1 percent hydrogen peroxide, otherwise irritation or chemical burns can occur on the gums. For all products, you should strictly follow the contact times and application recommendations of the manufacturer.
Professional bleaching: Cosmetic teeth whitening
Most dentists offer such professional teeth whitening. There are various methods, such as bleaching the teeth with a splint: A bleaching agent with carbamide peroxide is applied to a splint specially made for the patient. You take the splint home with you and wear it by the hour or at night for a certain period of time. In between, the condition of the teeth is checked by the doctor. The splint has the advantage of protecting the gums from damage caused by the bleach. The procedure is also known as home bleaching  .
In contrast, office bleaching takes place  in the dentist’s practice. Here the dentist applies a high-dose whitening agent to the teeth and checks after the exposure time whether the desired effect has been achieved. Up to three treatments may be required.
In addition, a bleaching lamp or soft laser can be used, with which even tooth fillings  and dentures  can be successfully whitened. This is known as power bleaching  , but the effects of this procedure are controversial.
In addition, the dentist can also help with internal discolouration, such as can occur after root canal treatment  . To do this, the tooth must first be drilled out, then a bleaching agent is introduced into the tooth. This procedure sometimes has to be repeated several times.
How much does teeth whitening at the dentist cost?
Since tooth bleaching counts as a cosmetic treatment, health insurance companies do not reimburse the costs. A professional bleaching costs between 250 and 600 euros.
What speaks in favor of professional bleaching?
Only the dentist can determine exactly what type of discoloration it is, i.e. internal or external discoloration of the teeth. He also has access to high-dose bleaches that can even be used to whiten fillings and dentures. This allows more intense and more even effects to be achieved.
The result also lasts longer – the effect can last up to two or three years. In addition, an experienced dentist knows how to carefully protect the gums and other tissue areas in the mouth so that undesirable side effects do not occur.
Even if the treatment is significantly more expensive, it can be advisable for the reasons mentioned to put the teeth whitening in professional hands and have it carried out by the dentist.
Whiten teeth naturally with home remedies
Many people prefer natural methods when it comes to teeth whitening. Home remedies said to help whiten teeth include:
- Oil pulling  with coconut oil
- Turmeric  (chewing the root or brushing your teeth  with turmeric paste)
- Baking powder or baking soda mixed with water to form a paste
- fruit acid (brushing teeth with lemon juice )
Some of these home remedies are safe to try  , such as coconut oil pulling. There is evidence that using coconut oil in addition to normal oral hygiene can help reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth. Turmeric is also said to improve dental health and help whiten teeth because of its antibacterial properties. However, one should not expect great effects in relation to the whitening of the teeth from the two home remedies.
Other home remedies, on the other hand, are considered harmful and experts advise against using them to whiten teeth. Like activated charcoal, baking soda and baking soda can act like sandpaper on teeth and crack enamel. Although fruit acid also helps to whiten teeth initially, it is not in a healthy way as it damages tooth enamel over time.
How healthy or harmful is teeth whitening?
Before treating your teeth yourself, a visit to the dentist is highly advisable, because the teeth should be free of caries , tartar, inflammation  or leaking fillings. Anyone who has gum problems or exposed tooth necks may be sensitive to the agents used in teeth whitening. The active substance could then penetrate the inside of the teeth and damage them. To prevent this, a prior check-up at the dentist is essential.
Also, only the dentist can judge whether the discoloration is internal or external, i.e. whether bleaching would help at all. Crowns and fillings or bridges cannot be whitened. You should be particularly careful with plastic and amalgam fillings, as these can even discolor when they come into contact with the bleaching gel. The gums, tongue  and lips should also not come into contact with the bleach if possible, otherwise chemical burns can occur.
Dentists also warn against the use of bleaching toothpaste and powder with activated charcoal or other abrasives, as these attack the enamel and not only damage the teeth, but also promote discoloration.
After all, various scientific studies confirm that bleaching healthy, caries-free teeth does not damage enamel and dentine. If the teeth are healthy, bleaching is considered harmless. If you want to be on the safe side, you should have your teeth bleached by a professional. Hypersensitivity of the teeth within the first 24 hours after bleaching is quite normal and nothing to worry about. Fluoride gels can help combat this after-effect.
Teeth whitening is not recommended for breastfeeding or pregnant women, children and adolescents under the age of 16.
By the way: Bleaching is not the only method to treat discoloration of the teeth. An alternative are the so-called veneers,  which are wafer-thin ceramic or plastic shells that are glued to the top of the teeth to cover discoloration, but also gaps or signs of wear. Talk to your dentist about whether this method is suitable for you.
Prevent discoloration of the teeth
The best way to prevent tooth discoloration is thorough dental hygiene. In particular, electric toothbrushes and cleaning the spaces between the teeth (e.g. with dental floss or interdental brushes) play an important role in preventing deposits and discolouration on the teeth.
In addition, reduce the consumption of coffee, black tea, red wine, nicotine and other substances that contribute to discoloration of the teeth. After consuming foods that attack tooth enamel ( e.g. juices , spinach , soft drinks  or red wine) you should wait at least half an hour before brushing your teeth so that the saliva  can neutralize the acids.