Annals and Essences of Dentistry
Open Access

A Brief Note on Tooth Whitening and Types of Staining

Somya Banerjee^{* *}Correspondence: Somya Banerjee, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Sawangi, Wardha, Maharashtra, India, Email:

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Description of the Study

Tooth whitening, also known as tooth bleaching, is a procedure that involves lightening the colour of a person's teeth. When teeth get yellowed over time for a variety of causes, whitening is often desired, and it can be accomplished by changing the intrinsic or extrinsic colour of the tooth enamel. Bleaching is the chemical destruction of chromogens within or on the tooth. The most common active ingredient in whitening products is hydrogen peroxide, which comes in two forms: Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. When the stable complex comes into contact with water, hydrogen peroxide is released, similar to carbamide peroxide. When hydrogen peroxide diffuses into the tooth, it functions as an oxidising agent, breaking down to form unstable free radicals. These unstable free radicals connect to organic pigment molecules in the gaps between the inorganic salts in tooth enamel, resulting in small, less coloured components. These smaller molecules produce a "whitening effect" by reflecting less light. There are a variety of stain removal products on the market. Dental practitioners must correctly assess the kind, degree, and location of tooth discoloration in order for whitening treatment to be effective. The teeth whitening endpoint is determined by the length of exposure and the bleaching agent concentration.

Tooth colour perception is influenced by a variety of factors. Specular transmission of light through the tooth; specular reflection at the surface; diffuse light reflection at the surface; absorption and scattering of light within the dental tissues; enamel mineral content; enamel thickness; dentine colour, the human observer, the type of incident light, and the presence of extrinsic and intrinsic stains are all factors that influence light reflection and absorption by the tooth. Furthermore, depending on the brightness and colour of the background, the apparent brightness of the tooth can alter. The colour and overall appearance of teeth are influenced by the mix of inherent colour and the presence of extrinsic stains on the tooth surface. The intrinsic colour of teeth is determined by light scattering and absorption inside enamel and dentine, and because enamel is generally translucent, dentinal characteristics can play a significant role in defining overall tooth colour. Extrinsic stain and colour, on the other hand, is the consequence of coloured patches forming within the acquired pellicle on the enamel surface and can be altered by lifestyle habits or behaviours. Tannin-rich meals, improper tooth brushing technique, cigarette products, and exposure to iron salts and chlorhexidine, can all darken the colour of a tooth. Teeth become darker in colour as they get older. This is related to secondary dentin development and enamel weakening as a result of tooth wear, resulting in a dramatic drop in lightness and an increase in yellowness. Gender or race has no bearing on tooth colour.

Staining and discoloration

Intrinsic and extrinsic sources of stain are the main causes of tooth discoloration and staining. In essence, tooth whitening focuses on removing inherent stains that can't be eliminated in the dentist office using mechanical methods like debridement or prophylaxis. The variations between the two origins of discoloration of the tooth's surface are discussed in detail below.

Extrinsic staining: Environmental factors such as smoking, colours in beverages and foods, antibiotics, and metals such as iron or copper cause extrinsic staining. Colored substances from various sources are absorbed into dental pellicle or directly onto the tooth surface, resulting in a stain.

Prophylaxis: Extrinsic staining is removed with a slow-speed rotating hand piece and a rubber cup filled with abrasive paste, usually including fluoride, as part of dental prophylaxis. The abrasive texture of prophy paste, as it is termed, acts to eliminate extrinsic stains by rubbing the paste on the teeth with a slowspeed hand piece. In contrast, every time a prophylaxis is performed, the rubber cup's action, combined with the abrasive nature of the paste, removes roughly one micron of enamel from the tooth surface. This stain removal treatment is only available in the dental clinic.

Micro-abrasion: permits a dental professional to eliminate biofilm and extrinsic stains with equipment that releases a powder, water, and compressed air. This stain removal treatment is only available in a dentist clinic and cannot be done at home.

Toothpaste: Many products on the market use peroxide as well as abrasive particles like silica gel to assist remove external stains while the peroxide works on intrinsic staining. This stain removal procedure can be done at home or in a dental facility.

Intrinsic staining: Intrinsic staining occurs largely during tooth development, either before or during childhood. Intrinsic stains are ones that can't be eliminated with mechanical methods like debridement or stain removal. The teeth might become yellower as a person's age increases.