Teeth whitening refers to a variety of processes that aim to make someone’s natural teeth appear brighter and whiter. Teeth whitening methods include sanding down stains, bleaching, ultraviolet (UV) light therapy, and more.

提供许多不同的牙齿美白产品,您可以在家尝试许多方法。您还可以在牙医的办公室里变白。

一些牙齿美白方法会引起不舒服的副作用,尤其是牙齿敏感性和牙龈刺激。让我们看一下牙齿美白的工作原理,如何安全地做,以及您应该了解其副作用的知识。

To whiten your teeth effectively, you’ll need to choose a whitening method that addresses the type of staining you have. If you have both intrinsic and extrinsic staining (explained below), you’ll likely need to choose a whitening method that safely addresses each type.

If you aren’t sure which kind of staining you have, consider consulting your dentist. They can advise you on the type of stains on your teeth and which method might work best.

Intrinsic stains

Stains that are inside your tooth enamel are called intrinsic stains. Intrinsic staining is sometimes present even before your teeth erupt from your gums when you’re a kid.

These stains can result from antibiotic use, high levels of fluoride exposure, and your tooth enamel growing thinner as you age. Intrinsic staining can sometimes even be genetic, according to 2014 research

Extrinsic stains

Extrinsic stains are on the outside of your tooth. These happen due to environmental exposure to things that leave discoloration on your tooth enamel. Coffee, artificial food colorings, and smoking can all cause this type of staining.

像固有的污渍一样,根据上述2014年的研究,外在污渍也可以与抗生素使用相关。

Teeth whitening options range from toothpaste with whitening ingredients to professional teeth whitening sessions overseen by your dentist.

一些美白产品旨在实际上清除牙齿外部污渍,而另一些则只是漂白固有和外部污渍,以便它们的颜色较浅。

Many over-the-counter (OTC) and in-office treatment options use hydrogen peroxide to break down and minimize stains on your teeth. Carbamide peroxide, another oxidizing ingredient, is also often used.

These chemicals can be aggressive and irritating to your body in higher doses. That’s why it’s extra important that you use teeth whitening products as directed.

Talk with your dentist about any sensitivity you may experience after using whitening treatments at home or when receiving them at the dentist’s office. If a product causes tooth pain or redness or bleeding in your gums, stop using it and consult your dentist.

Whitening products

OTC美白产品包括美白牙膏和漱口水。

These products may contain baking soda, which works as a mild abrasive to scrub stains away. Some whitening toothpaste also contains charcoal, which also has abrasive properties. Whitening formulas also may contain low concentrations of carbamide and hydrogen peroxide.

Some abrasives can damage your tooth enamel if used too often or in the long term.

Enamel is your teeth’s hard exterior. Unlike other parts of a tooth, the enamel is not made of living cells, so it doesn’t repair itself once it has worn away, according to theAmerican Dental Association (ADA)。请咨询您的牙医,以了解如何安全使用磨料美白产品。

Whitening products also usually contain氟化物to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent future stains.

Home whitening kits

Home whitening kits may take the form of a gel or paste that is applied to your teeth using a brush or in the form of sticky strips.

Some home whitening kits involve covering your teeth with a whitening agent before placing a mouthguard on your teeth. Certain at-home kits have a heat lamp, blue light, or UV light within the mouthguard to “radiate” the whitening paste. However, a small 2021 study 表明目前尚不清楚这是否实际上提高了凝胶的有效性。

护嘴可以将漂白剂保持在牙齿上,以增加其吸收,并限制与健身房接触的美白解决方案。ADA已批准凝胶,含有10%的甲胺剂,可在隔夜的口罩中使用。 2019 research

The active ingredients in whitening kits approved by home use are at a lower concentration than you would find in a dentist’s office. For that reason, you will need to use the kit every day for several weeks to see visible results. Most at-home whitening kits advertise results within2至4周

Whitening at dentist’s office

Tooth whitening at the dentist’s office uses higher concentrations of active ingredients to achieve visible results more quickly.

In-office teeth whitening may require several sessions in order for you to get your teeth as white as you would like, according to 2014 research 。These sessions can be expensive and aren’t often covered by insurance because they are not part of a routine dental cleaning.

Power bleaching at the dentist’s office involves rinsing your teeth with a powerful hydrogen peroxide solution for 20 to 30 minutes. Laser therapy is sometimes included in in-office tooth whitening sessions, though there is currently no strong research proving that this has any particular whitening benefit.

牙齿美白的最常见副作用是暂时的牙齿敏感性。口腔和牙龈刺激也很常见。过氧化氢尤其会引起这种反应。

When you get your teeth whitened at the dentist’s office, your gum tissue will be protected during the treatment to reduce this side effect.

You may also experience increased tooth sensitivity after whitening with an at-home kit or at the dentist’s office. Tooth sensitivity can occur when consuming particularly hot or cold food and drinks. It can also feel like a sharp pain in your tooth, sometimes out of nowhere. This sensitivity should be temporary.

Getting your teeth whitened repeatedly or using tooth whitening kits for longer than the recommended duration can result in permanent damage to your tooth enamel, 2019 research 建议。

Depictions of pearly white teeth on TV or in magazines have made it seem like a spotless, perfect smile is the norm. But no matter what your teeth look like, there’s no reason to ever be ashamed of your smile. You should prioritize the health of your teeth above cosmetic appearances.

Tooth yellowing can occur due to:

获得牙齿美白处理也可能取决于您的预算。保险不包括美白产品和办公室治疗。有些人可能会选择具有较轻美白效果但更负担得起的选择,例如牙膏和漱口水。

People who have dental implants orveneers不是牙齿美白的候选人。牙齿美白仅在天然牙齿上工作。近年来,许多年轻人追求饰面以实现完美的白色笑容,但从长远来看,这对您的牙齿健康可能是危险的。

如果您因为牙齿发黄而对自己的微笑自然而然地意识,您可能想尝试使用牙齿美白方法。但是最终,这是个人的审美选择,而不是医学上的必要性。

Consult with your dentist about what whitening options may be best for you. Always read directions on home kits and use products as directed.

重要的是要注意,牙科小鬼lants, veneers, crowns, or bridges might not be candidates for teeth whitening, depending on the location of this dental work. If it is in the back of the mouth, a person may still receive whitening. If is in the front of the mouth, whitening is not recommended.

牙齿美白包括各种美容处理,以营造出更明亮的笑容。有些可以通过美白套件或产品在家中完成,而另一些则可以在您的牙医办公室完成。健康保险通常不涵盖美白治疗。

牙齿美白中使用的一些化学物质会引起牙齿敏感性和牙龈刺激。始终按照指示使用产品很重要。

If you have mild tooth staining, consider adding a whitening toothpaste or mouthwash to your oral care routine. It may also help to avoid foods or liquids that are known to stain your teeth, including wine and coffee. If staining is more noticeable, you may want to try an at-home whitening kit or talk with your dentist about in-office whitening sessions.

Regardless of what you decide, there’s no reason to be ashamed of your smile. The most important thing is that your teeth are healthy and functional. While many people find tooth whitening increases self-confidence, it’s important we reduce the stigma surrounding the wide, natural diversity of smiles.