Teeth Bleaching

A Quick Look At Teeth Bleaching

Modern technologies and advances in science and health have given rise to the numerous methods of teeth bleaching or teeth whitening. From brushing with whitening toothpaste, to teeth whitening strips, to laser bleaching, we now have an array of choices when it comes to getting our pearly whites bleached. But did you know that this quest for gleaming white teeth is not unique to our present generation?

History Of Teeth Bleaching

The practice of teeth bleaching may seem like one of the many modern day aesthetic modification treatments known to man, but in fact, the process of teeth whitening can even be traced back to the time of the early Egyptian and Roman civilizations.

Egyptians used an early form of teeth whitening toothpaste made of finely ground pumice stone mixed with aged wine vinegar, and they likewise used an early type of toothbrush known as the chew stick(a small twig with one end frayed to act as a brush).

As for the early Romans, they were the ones who took teeth whitening to a whole new level. They believed that human urine had bleaching and tooth strengthening properties, and proceeded to brush their teeth with it.

But no matter how revolting it might sound, it turns out that these ancient Romans were actually on the right track, because even today, ammonia (a substance found in urine), is considered as an effective teeth cleansing agent.

Teeth Bleaching At Home And At The Dental Clinic

Teeth whitening procedures can be done at dental clinics, or right in your own home, it all depends on the whitening agent to be used. Most at-home teeth whitening treatments use strips or gels with carbamide peroxide, a substance that reacts with saliva and water to form hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide whitens the teeth by acting as an oxidizing agent that penetrates and bleaches the topmost surfaces of tooth enamel.

Teeth whitening methods done in dental clinics also employ carbamide peroxide as part of their treatments, but these are usually in higher concentrations and used in conjunction with other bleaching methods like laser or light accelerated bleaching for a more immediate effect.