The tooth layer that you see directly in the mouth is the "enamel" layer located just above the gums. The natural color of enamel is white, but because it is translucent, it also reflects the color of the underlying layers. The tissue located just under the enamel is called "dentin". Its normal color is yellow and it has a rough structure. As the individual ages, the materials coming from the pulp and penetrating into it change its color to a darker brown/yellow color over time. Therefore, the color we see when we look at a tooth in the mouth is the composition of translucent enamel, dentin, which darkens over time, and the underlying "pulp" tissue.
For this reason, as we get older, even if we brush our teeth regularly, we cannot prevent the color from darkening. No matter how much you brush, you cannot change the color of the composition reflected from the inside of the tooth.
Reasons for color changes in teeth:
Initial color: All individuals have their own natural tooth color, which varies from yellow-brown to green-grey. . Teeth with a yellow-brown tone respond more positively to the whitening process.
Transparency and thickness: Transparency and thickness are genetic characteristics that become more evident over time. Although all teeth show a certain transparency, those that are opaque and thicker appear lighter in color and respond more to whitening. More transparent and thinner teeth contain less pigments that tend to whiten.
Nutrition habits: Red wine, coffee, tea, cola, carrots, oranges, etc. Long-term use of coloring foods causes a visible color change over time. However, some acidic foods such as lemon or vinegar also cause wear on the enamel surface. As a result, the tooth surface becomes more transparent and the yellowish color of the dentin is more visible.
Tobacco Use: Nicotine leaves brownish deposits that pass into the tooth structure over time and cause internal discoloration.
Drugs and chemicals. : The use of tetracycline during tooth formation leaves dark gray or brown stains on the tooth tissue that are difficult to remove. Excessive use of fluoride can also cause fluorosis, which causes white spots on the teeth.
Teeth grinding: Teeth grinding habits, which mostly occur due to stress, can cause microfractures in the teeth. Darkening may occur in the parts of the broken lines on the biting surface.
Trauma: Discoloration may occur as a result of any accidental injuries to the tooth, fractures, and intense debris accumulation in that area.
How is tooth whitening applied?
The first step is a comprehensive examination and cleaning process performed by the physician. The tooth surface on which whitening will be applied must be healthy and free of stains. It is unethical to first whiten a tooth that needs to be treated for aesthetic purposes!
One point you should know is that in teeth with fillings on the front surface, including irradiated composite fillings (white fillings), there will be no lightening in the color of the filling after whitening. Therefore, after the whitening process on filled front teeth, we may often have to change these fillings to ensure color harmony.
In the second stage, the whitening gel is applied to the teeth by the physician, for 20-30 minutes. Light is applied and waited for a while. Then, a mold of the teeth is taken and a personalized spoon is prepared. In the second session, this spoon and the gel that the patient will use at home are delivered to the patient. The next task falls to the patient at home. A very permanent and satisfactory whitening can be achieved with the home-bleaching process applied regularly for 7-10 days.
Read: 0
