What is teeth whitening?

What is teeth whitening? 

Teeth whitening is the process of removing colored organic and inorganic substances formed in the porous enamel and dentin structure on the surface of the teeth with tooth whitening gels. This process may not make your teeth bright white, but it can lighten the existing color by several shades.

Who can do teeth whitening? 

Teeth whitening is a condition that should be done carefully in terms of your dental health. Applications made by the wrong people with inappropriate methods can lead to serious dental problems in the future. Teeth whitening should be done under the control of a dentist. It is necessary to stay away from places that will put your health at serious risk, such as beauty salons and unlicensed businesses. Again, some methods that you can apply at home under the control of the dentist can also help to lighten the color of your teeth. However, without the knowledge of your dentist, it is necessary to stay away from unproven methods, the source of which is unclear, especially in social media environments.

How is teeth whitening applied? 

Teeth whitening can be done in two ways. Teeth whitening can be done at home with some ready-made products or mixtures you will prepare at home, or it can be done in the clinic under the control of a dentist.

• Home type teeth whitening: For the home type teeth whitening method known as home teeth whitening, personalized whitening plates are prepared by taking measurements from inside the mouth. A certain amount of tooth whitening gel (10-15% carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide) is applied to this prepared plate. It is a treatment applied in the form of using the plate for at least 4-6 hours during the day, for an average of 10-15 days, or for 8-10 days at night while sleeping. This treatment is done under the control of a dentist.
• Teeth whitening in a clinical setting: This method is also known as the “Laser teeth whitening method” and is applied by the dentist in the clinic. The application time is shorter than other methods. The whitening gel applied on the teeth by the dentist is activated with the help of UV light or laser and the whitening process takes an average of one hour.

What happens during teeth whitening? 

Teeth whitening can be completed in a single session or can take 2-3 sessions.



Before teeth whitening, your teeth are cleaned. Dental plaques and tartar are removed. If any, dental caries etc problems are treated. Gum problems are resolved.

The dentist takes the measurements of the teeth for teeth whitening, and informs you about how to use the suitable whitening gel, which is specially prepared for you or sold in pharmacies, at home. After using the teeth whitening gel at home for a few weeks, she calls for a check-up. If the desired result is obtained in the control, the controls are continued. If the result is not at the desired level, bleaching is applied in the clinical setting.

The dentist can also apply bleaching directly to the appropriate people in the clinic.

For the bleaching process (laser whitening) in the clinic, the dentist applies the whitening gel to your teeth. Then it applies laser to increase the effectiveness of the whitening process. The process takes about 40-60 minutes.

When the whitening process is done properly, its effectiveness lasts for 3-12 months. This period is affected by factors such as whether the person pays attention to oral care, alcohol, tea, coffee, smoking.

Is there a risk of teeth whitening? 

Teeth whitening performed under the control of a dentist in a clinical setting is generally risk-free.

Teeth whitening, performed in unlicensed centers and beauty salons that are not under the control of a dentist, always involves risks, sometimes serious.

It is important that teeth whitening gels prepared for home use are also made under the control of a dentist. Tooth whitening gels that do not fit the oral structure, are unhealthy and do not contain enough active substances can cause problems for your teeth and gums. Unhealthy chemicals used can cause serious damage to your gums.

Teeth whitening methods you can apply at home: 

You can do these methods under the control of your dentist.

• Lemon carbonate: Lemon is squeezed into some baking soda. Toothpaste is applied on it and the teeth are brushed. Then the mouth is thoroughly rinsed. You can see the lightening in your tooth color when done regularly. However, uncontrolled, excessive applications can cause lines on the teeth. It is due to the acidic effect of lemon. In the future, it may cause your tooth color to turn yellow.
• Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is added to some baking soda. The tooth is brushed with the mixture applied to the toothbrush. When applied regularly, your tooth color will lighten a little.
• Toothpaste: Regular use of toothpaste prepared in a suitable form will lighten your tooth color. For this, you can get a suitable toothpaste recommendation from your dentist.
• Salt: In people who do not have blood pressure problems, rubbing the teeth with salt can contribute to teeth whitening. However, if it is not done regularly and in a controlled manner, it can damage your teeth. It can also be applied with a mixture of baking soda, salt and vinegar.
• Banana peel: It can be helpful to regularly rub your teeth with a banana peel, then brush with a toothpaste-free toothbrush.
• Bay leaf: Crush the bay leaf well, mix it well with the orange zest to obtain a paste. Brush your teeth with this paste with the help of a toothbrush.
• Cinnamon and sage: A mixture of cinnamon, sage and baking soda both whitens your teeth and helps your oral hygiene with its antibacterial effect.