Frequently Asked Questions

Tooth Whitening

Date Posted: 7/12/2005

Question
Paint-on whitening treatments

Answer
This consumer-level treatment can be applied selectively to just a single darkened tooth, or to many teeth to achieve an overall whitening action. They are not suitable for handling intense internal stains, but can give a useful effect where the discolouration is age-related and mild. They typically contain either hydrogen peroxide (6%) or carbamide peroxide, and are applied once daily for up to 14 days.

The treatment is inexpensive, easy to apply, and does not require a tray. The materials are clear and so it is not obvious to others that a bleaching treatment is being used. Most users can achieve coverage of about 85% of the area of their front teeth under normal domestic (bathroom) lighting conditions. The material contains binding agents which adhere to the tooth surface. It is important to remove the film of saliva from the teeth before applying the liquid as saliva will break down peroxides rapidly. For this reason, it is also recommended to avoid rinsing, eating, and drinking after applying the gel since these will affect the material. Any residues of the bleaching material can easily be removed by toothbrushing. While paint-on teeth treatments should be regarded as an introduction to whitening techniques, they may also be useful to help maintain the results of professional whitening treatments since they can break down surface stains. When used as directed, paint-on treatments rarely cause irritation to the soft tissues of the mouth, and they do not damage the natural tooth surface or the surface of fillings.

Product examples*:
• Colgate Simply White ™ and Colgate Simply White Advanced ™ whitening gel
• Macleans Brilliant White ™ whitening treatment gel

* Refer to Australian Dental Association Inc Seal of Approval at http://www.ada.org.au/oralHealth/sealofApp.aspx for other suitable products.

More questions in this category:

Should teeth be white?
Which dentist can bleach my teeth?
What are the likely causes of tooth discolouration?
Why is it important to know the likely causes of tooth discolouration?
How are surface stains treated?
What are “conventional” whitening toothpastes and how do they work?
What is tooth lightening?
How are internal stains treated?
Are there issues with oxygen-based bleaching methods?
Are peroxides safe to use?
What are advanced formula whitening toothpastes and how do they work?
Paint-on whitening treatments
Adhesive strips
“Home tray vital bleaching”
“Power bleaching”
How effective is home bleaching in whitening the teeth?
Is home bleaching safe?
What is home bleaching?
Are bleaching toothpastes very effective?
How long does the bleaching last?

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