White teeth

What is lovelier than a dazzlingly white smile? Nothing. That is why there are a great many toothpastes meant to work against the grey film that colour residues from food and drink can leave on our teeth. But are they really effective? Or can they even do damage? We give you the answer and present a method with which you can lighten your teeth gently

Children have them by nature: dazzlingly white teeth. In the course of time this lovely state unfortunately rarely lasts: discoloration from outside or inside clouds the flawless white. Anyone who believes that dark teeth can be brought back to a high shine with expensive toothpastes is mistaken

A study by Stiftung Warentest found that none of the freely available whiteners removes the grey film or the yellow cast of the teeth. Worse still: toothpastes with a scrubbing effect can damage the enamel through their often coarse abrasives. Some bleaching agents contain hydrogen peroxide, which can cause burns to the mucous membrane. Newer generations of whiteners do contain less sharp-edged and coarse abrasives, but they too achieve little against stubborn discoloration. Far more effective are a professional tooth cleaning at the dentist and so-called bleaching

Lightening the teeth

The method for dazzlingly white rows of teeth is lightening, so-called bleaching. The dentist uses a chemical preparation to lighten the tooth substance. Numerous scientific studies have shown that this procedure has no damaging effect on the teeth. However: bleaching is a dental measure. What is decisive is the dental examination of the teeth before bleaching and a thorough cleaning of all teeth by means of a professional tooth cleaning. Leaking fillings or even carious defects must of course be treated beforehand, otherwise the normally relaxed course of the lightening becomes unpleasant and its success uncertain

Professional bleaching: white teeth are a matter for the specialists at the dental practice

If you wish to lighten the colour of your teeth markedly, the first and best route is a visit to the dental practice

All bleaching procedures are only really safe and effective if they are carried out after a dental examination and consultation, by qualified prevention specialists and with dental supervision at the practice. Only then can safety and an individual, lasting result be guaranteed, the expert advises. At the practice the reason for the unwanted discoloration is first established and it is checked whether bleaching makes sense at all and will lead to the desired result. Risk factors are clarified and the patient informed accordingly

As with every treatment, complications or unwanted side effects cannot be ruled out. Should they occur contrary to expectation, the team at the dental practice is able to manage complications and to remedy possible damage