A bright smile is often associated with vitality and good health. Over the years, however, tooth enamel naturally loses its brightness – whether due to the normal ageing process or to staining substances such as coffee, tea and red wine, whose pigments penetrate deep into the tooth structure.
Many patients wish for whiter teeth. The good news: tooth whitening (bleaching) is now a well-established and safe procedure – provided it is carried out under dental supervision. Bleaching is not a cosmetic treatment, but a medical intervention affecting the tooth structure.
How does bleaching work?
Chemically, the principle is comparable to hair lightening, but specifically adapted to the mineral structure of teeth. We use gels containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These substances release active oxygen, which penetrates the enamel and breaks down dark colour pigments through oxidation. The tooth substance itself remains intact – it is not damaged, but merely “decolourised”.
Important: the check-up before bleaching
Before treatment begins, a thorough examination to assess bleaching suitability is essential. Why?
- A healthy foundation: Gums must be free of inflammation and teeth must be free of decay. If bleaching gel enters an untreated cavity, it can irreversibly damage the dental nerve.
- The restoration issue: Bleaching agents only work on natural tooth substance. Crowns, veneers and composite fillings do not become lighter. If restorations are present in the visible front teeth, they may need to be replaced after bleaching to avoid colour discrepancies.
Our method: In-office bleaching (Philips ZOOM)
For fast and intensive results, we use professional in-office bleaching directly in our practice. This method involves higher-concentration bleaching gels, which under EU cosmetic regulations may only be applied by qualified medical professionals.
The treatment procedure:
- Protection: Gums and lips are carefully covered so that only the teeth are exposed. Safety is our top priority.
- Activation: The bleaching gel is applied and activated using specialised lamp systems (e.g. Philips ZOOM). The specific light wavelength accelerates the breakdown of peroxide.
- Cycles: Typically, 3 to 4 cycles of approximately 15 minutes are performed in one session.
The alternative: Professional home bleaching
In contrast to over-the-counter products, dentist-supervised home bleaching is an excellent option, especially for gentle whitening or long-term maintenance.
- We fabricate custom-made trays or your teeth in our dental laboratory.
- You receive a professional bleaching gel to apply at home, usually worn in the evening or overnight.
- Advantage: You remain in control and can reuse the trays later for refresh treatments.
Warning about drugstore products and home remedies
We strongly advise against unsupervised whitening experiments.
- Drugstore products (strips, varnishes): Legally restricted to extremely low active ingredient concentrations (< 0.1% H₂O₂). The effect is often disappointing.
- Online products: Items ordered from abroad are often not subject to proper regulation and may contain dangerously high acid concentrations that can permanently damage enamel.
- Home remedies (baking soda, lemon, salt): Never use these. They act like sandpaper – they do not chemically whiten teeth, but grind away the protective enamel layer. Teeth become rough and stain even faster afterwards.
After treatment: the “white diet”
Immediately after bleaching, enamel is slightly dehydrated and more porous. It absorbs pigments like a sponge. For 48 to 72 hours, you should avoid strongly colouring foods and drinks (the so-called “white diet”).
- Avoid: Coffee, tea, red wine, cola, curry, turmeric, red berries, tomato sauce, smoking.
- Allowed: Water, dairy products, turkey, fish, rice, pasta, cauliflower.
Is it painful?
During or shortly after treatment, teeth may temporarily become sensitive to cold. This short, sharp sensation is a normal reaction to enamel dehydration and usually subsides within 24 hours. We apply fluoride after treatment to support remineralisation and soothe the enamel.
Talk to us – we will be happy to analyse which bleaching method best suits your teeth and your desired result.
Discover our professional bleaching services at Zahnzentrum Kronberg.