Teeth whitening in Zaandam and Amsterdam-Noord

Who doesn’t want beautiful white and radiant teeth?

Nowadays you see it everywhere and it is the most natural thing in the world: Teeth whitening. Advertisements promise teeth white as hail, often in a short period of time. Everywhere on billboards you see meters large photos with smiling models with radiant white teeth. Teeth discoloration can cause embarrassment or discomfort when laughing. Unfortunately, it is difficult for them to consult the dentist because of doubts, fear and perhaps shame.

What exactly is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is nothing more than whitening one or more teeth. The teeth consist of dentin and enamel (Please add a picture). The color is determined by both, namely by the color of the dentin and the thickness of the enamel layer. This glaze layer is affected by aging and wear, but also by consumption pattern. With age, the teeth also darken.

More causes of discoloration

A lot of smoking, drinking coffee or food with dyes cause discoloration and damage to the teeth. These are called the external discolorations. If the teeth are not cleaned optimally on a daily basis, plaque will stick, which will still absorb dyes and irritate the gums. This creates tartar and deposits on the teeth. This can be professionally cleaned by the dental hygienist. The teeth then become clean and appear lighter.

Other situations where teeth whitening is used

There are also known cases in which the teeth are discolored due to developmental disorders and/or medication. These are called the intrinsic discolorations. In the past, this was initially solved by placing veneers or crowns on the discolored teeth.

By whitening your teeth, you make them beautifully white again. However, the cause of the discoloration remains. Whitening the teeth yourself does not therefore ensure healthy teeth. A precondition for whitening is to get your oral health in order first. For an optimal and sustainable result, the gums must be healthy and oral hygiene must be optimal.

Why do people whiten their teeth?

The answer to this is actually quite simple. For many, the teeth remain the most important part of their appearance. The showpiece as it were. One wants to look good for different matters; such as a date, job application, wedding etc. The first thing you notice are the eyes and the teeth. The teeth leave the most important impression.

For many cosmetic procedures on the teeth it is still necessary to use technical equipment. On the other hand, a natural result is achieved with whitening, because the original structure and shape of the teeth is preserved during whitening.

What does teeth whitening at dental care entail?

At Dentalzorg we apply the ‘home whitening’ concept, for example with one or more discolored teeth. This means that you will receive the tools under supervision to be able to carry out the treatment at home. The dentist makes an impression of your teeth and determines the color of the teeth. A whitening tray is made on the impressions in the dental laboratory. You can see this as a mouthguard made of soft plastic that fits exactly over your teeth, but with some space so that the whitening gel can be easily applied. The gel ensures that the teeth eventually become whiter.

You will of course receive good instructions in advance on how to do this yourself at home. If you want to bleach, our advice is to bleach at home. This is the most sustainable and effective method. You will usually wear the bleaching tray overnight or for a period of time. Depending on the discoloration, you will see results after a few days or weeks. This is a safe method that is less aggressive to teeth and tissues.

Sensitive teeth during the teeth whitening process

Your teeth and gums may become temporarily sensitive. The hydrogen peroxide is the active ingredient that ‘opens’ and penetrates the enamel to neutralize the discolourations. Enamel closing is gradual, takes time and can vary from person to person. Consult your dentist if you experience any complaints. The dentist will then discuss the appropriate interventions with you.

The whitening gel that we give you contains 6% hydrogen peroxide. This exposes your teeth to a safe dose of whitening gel. This is good, because too much hydrogen peroxide can affect your gums and teeth and too small an amount will not whiten the teeth as well. The whitening gel available in the shops contains only 0.1% hydrogen peroxide, which significantly reduces the bleaching effect.

Whitening at home under supervision

Research has shown that the outer part of the enamel is temporarily slightly less hard immediately after bleaching. The acid in the whitening gel affects the enamel slightly and superficially. The disadvantage is comparable to the damage to a tooth that has been in contact with soda for some time. These enamel changes are reversed as soon as the enamel comes into contact with saliva. Immediately after bleaching, rinse your mouth with a fluoride rinse. Whitening at home under the supervision of your dentist or dental hygienist has no lasting adverse effects if you follow the instructions.

View before and after photos of teeth whitening at DentalZorg

Bleaching trauma tooth and or root canal treated tooth

If you suffer from one discolored tooth due to trauma or root canal treatment, it can be bleached internally. The dentist assesses the tooth and sees whether the whitening process can be started immediately. Sometimes it is necessary that the tooth first receives a pre-treatment.

During the internal bleaching process, a small opening will be made through the opening of the root canal treatment that has already been performed. A “slurry” of the bleach is put in here. This space is enclosed with temporary filling material. After 1 week, this process is repeated again until the desired result is achieved. On average, it takes 3-4 treatments. At the end, the opening of the tooth is filled with tooth-colored filling material.

Bleaching trauma tooth and or root canal treated tooth

If you suffer from one discolored tooth due to trauma or root canal treatment, it can be bleached internally. The dentist assesses the tooth and sees whether the whitening process can be started immediately. Sometimes it is necessary that the tooth first receives a pre-treatment.

During the internal bleaching process, a small opening will be made through the opening of the root canal treatment that has already been performed. A “slurry” of the bleach is put in here. This space is enclosed with temporary filling material. After 1 week, this process is repeated again until the desired result is achieved. On average, it takes 3-4 treatments. At the end, the opening of the tooth is filled with tooth-colored filling material.

Time schedule for whitening at home:

1. Consult dentist 15 minutes
2. Extensive dental cleaning and making impressions of the upper and lower jaw: 30-45 minutes
3. Collection of the bleaching trays and explanation: 15 minutes
4. Final check: 15 minutes.

What does Teeth whitening cost at DentalZorg?

Is it covered by the insurance?

If you have additional insurance, this can be partially reimbursed. If you only have basic insurance, the costs are fully for your account. This also applies if you have already used up your insurance budget from the additional dental insurance.

How long does a whitening treatment take?

The length of a whitening treatment depends on the whitening method. With the at-home bleaching method, it usually takes two weeks before you achieve a desired result.

Will I receive instructions from the dentist?

Yes, you will receive an instruction sheet from the dentist. This describes in detail how the whitening spoon works, how much whitening gel you should apply, how long you have to keep the whitening spoon in your mouth and how you can clean it again. The instructions are first explained orally. The instructions also state what you should not eat to keep the effect of the bleaching intact.

Can I also use the whitening gel in case of pregnancy?

No, pregnant women should not whiten their teeth. The gums of pregnant women are extra sensitive. The bleaching material can cause rapid irritation.

How long will my teeth stay white after whitening?

This depends on several factors. Factors such as smoking, drinking red wine and eating foods with strong dyes cause discoloration more quickly. At some point you will notice that the teeth are discolored again. However, this does not happen that quickly and it also differs per individual.

My teeth have become more sensitive after whitening, what now?

If really extreme sensitivity occurs during whitening, remove the whitening tray and contact your dentist. Some patients experience temporary discomfort in their gums, lips, throat or tongue. If these symptoms last for more than two days or gradually get worse, call your dentist. These side effects usually disappear within 1 to 3 days after treatment is stopped.

From what age is teeth whitening possible?

Bleaching is a cosmetic treatment. We recommend such treatments for patients from the age of 18.

I can’t make it at home, what can I do?

If you are no longer satisfied with the information provided, please do not hesitate to contact your dental practitioner. They will guide you further in this at your convenience.

More information?

Of course we offer teeth whitening in a very professional way. We like to think along with you. Nevertheless, we think it is important that you know in advance what exactly teeth whitening means for you. Just like you, we benefit from healthy and hygienic teeth. To know whether teeth whitening is suitable for your teeth and has no negative consequences, we recommend that you always visit the dentist. He or she can determine what the options are and whether there may be alternatives that suit you better. Therefore, contact DentalZorg if you want to know more about teeth whitening. You can also fill in the form below and we will call you back as soon as possible.