Historical Teeth Whitening and Modern Day Solutions

People have been interested in teeth whitening for most of recorded history and some even before that. Today’s Hollywood culture, with gleaming smiles and perfect teeth, have made an entire industry out of whitening teeth by building off of people's innate desire to look the best that they can. To that end having a pearly white smile, that oozes confidence, has become the virtual Holy Grail of anyone wanting to look their best. 

Believe it or not the desire to have white teeth actually started some really important trends, like tooth brushing. The first tooth cleaning and whitening devices, called chew sticks, can be historically traced back to 3000 BC, and ironically are still being used in some parts of the world today. The Chinese came up with an innovative way to replace the chew sticks by making a brush of bristles. The bristles came from the back of the Siberian hogs and were particularly coarse. This, as one can imagine, evolved into toothbrush of today. They were not, however, very popular with the Europeans who preferred to keep their teeth clean and white using the adopted Roman custom of picking. Hence, toothpicks stuck around. 

Modern technology has certainly improved and today, teeth whitening is safe and comfortable. As with many medical, and non-medical, procedures there are a plethora of swirling myths and urban legends that have developed around the simple task of teeth whitening. When you get your teeth whitened at our clinic, you are in the hands of a medically trained professional performing a task that is in no way dangerous. We bleach the enamel of the teeth so that they are a more pleasing shade of white.  Some patients even take custom fitted whitening trays and complete their treatment at home, given how straightforward it is. Since we can also answer any questions and take care of all your dental needs, we recommend a dentist-supervised teeth whitening instead of an over-the-counter solution.

Here are the questions we get the most of about teeth whitening: 

Will whitening my teeth lead to damaged enamel? 
There had been quite a lot of concern about this, so the short answer is no. In fact, the Journal of American Dentistry recently published a study on this very subject. What they concluded was that there is no connection between a person using a teeth whitening product and their enamel wearing out, so this one is an urban legend that is simply not true. 

Is the teeth whitening process painful? 
Again, the short answer to this question is no. There is no pain associated with teeth whitening. Most patients will experience an increased level of sensitivity in their teeth after a treatment. This is due to the proximity of the whitening chemicals to the soft and sensitive tissue of the gums. However, this sensitivity should last no more than twenty-four hours after the procedure and will never progress to pain. Knowing that excessive use of whiteners, or incorrectly fitted trays can increase this sensitivity is one major reason why we always recommend coming to see us for your teeth whitening.

What To Expect Immediately After Getting Braces

Now that your braces are fitted, you are on the way to a more confident, radiant smile. Getting your teeth adjusted is a big step which takes time and a level of commitment. At this point, you will have come very far and have probably learned more about your teeth than you ever thought possible. Over the course of a number of appointments, we will have measured your mouth, given you x-rays, and discussed your treatment at some length. Some of the things we will have discussed are the steps involved, caring for your new orthodontic appliances, the adjustment phase of the treatment, follow-ups, and a number of other important aspects of getting braces. For most people, this wealth of information, can be slightly overwhelming and can leave you with questions after you are done with your fitting appointment. To help with this, we will give you a packet of information for you to read.  Additionally, we are always available to answer a question over the phone or during one of your routine follow-up visits. 

Adjusting to new braces does take a few days. This initial period can be the most uncomfortable, but the discomfort will fade quickly. During the first few days, your mouth will need to get used to the idea of a foreign substance in the mouth that takes up more space than just your teeth. You could also have some level of pain, which is easily controlled by over the counter medication. This adjustment typically lasts no more than a day or two, and while nobody ever fully gets used to braces, pretty soon your mouth will accept the presence of the braces and they will not bother you at all. 

In order to feel more comfortable we recommend that you use over the counter Tylenol to control the pain, and advise staying away from Ibuprofen. Tylenol contains acetaminophen, usually recommended for pregnant women and children because it is a safer pain reliever. On the other hand, Ibuprofen can slow down the movement of the teeth, which interferes with the treatment, and hence we advise against taking it while wearing braces. Ibuprofen makes up the major ingredient in medications like Advil and Motrin so avoid these as well. You can also feel better by using a cool compress to help ease any swelling.

Immediately after having braces placed you should eat soft foods in order to avoid irritation.  After that, there are some dietary restrictions that come with braces. This is necessary because braces can become damaged or lose if you eat very hard foods or have to chomp down with a great deal of pressure. Ice cubes, popcorn, and sticky candy can all cause this damage, and you will need to avoid these until your treatment is complete. Part of your reading material will include a complete list of foods that you need to avoid, and we always recommend calling us to confirm if you are uncertain about a certain type of food.