The 10 most important tips for white teeth and whitening

Bright white, yellow or brownish? Where does tooth colour or discolouration come from?

Our tooth colour is genetically determined. The shape and position of the teeth also influence perception; large teeth and a harmonious tooth position appear "whiter". The colour impression is created by light reflection, partly on the outer surface of the whitish translucent (transparent) enamel, partly inside the tooth at the transition to the yellowish dentin

. The enamel is thicker in the area of the incisal edge than at the tooth neck and is therefore whiter, but also more transparent. At the neck of the tooth and the transition to the gums, many teeth appear somewhat "yellower" due to the dentin shining through.

As we age, the enamel becomes continuously thinner and the teeth consequently yellower. In addition, discolouration on the teeth due to plaque, food residues, lifestyle habits (coffee, tea plaque), tea residues (smoking), etc.

Furthermore, mineral disorders occurring during the formation of tooth enamel, fluoride overdoses (e.g. dental fluorosis) or deposits, e.g. as a side effect of medication (e.g. antibiotics such as tetracyclines), can

. fluorosis) or deposits, e.g. as side effects of medication (e.g. antibiotics such as tetracyclines), can lead to whitish, yellowish or brownish colour stains, which can often also be associated with structural anomalies such as grooves or stippling (e.g. molar incisor hypomineralisation). Such colour deposits can also be found in the dentin. Furthermore, leaking fillings or crowns, for example, can cause cracks in the teeth, which can promote the penetration of unsightly (yellow or brown) colouring into the outer tooth structures.

Traumatic haemorrhages, e.g. after an accident (at least temporary blue discolouration of the teeth) or brown-black dyes from dead pulp (dental nerve) tissue (see above) or by release from root canal filling materials can lead to translucent brown-black tooth discolouration from the inside of the tooth (the former pulp cavity).

Only healthy teeth are beautiful teeth

Unsightly tooth discolouration and gum inflammation must be regularly prevented. This is best achieved through regular dental care twice a day with an electric toothbrush and suitable fluoride toothpaste (ApaCare toothpaste with liquid enamel - see ApaCare dental health guide). However, many coloured plaque deposits still build up. From the age of 12, these can be gently removed at home with a toothbrush once or twice a week using a polishing paste instead of toothpaste (ApaCare Polish).

In addition to check-ups, the dentist should carry out professional teeth cleaning at regular intervals or have it carried out by dental assistants. The best way to do this is with professional polishing systems and powder blasting techniques using polishing powders with synthetic enamel (e.g. ApaPearls).

How to whiten teeth

In traditional bleaching, the tooth surfaces are treated with oxygen-releasing bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide in various formulations. Their effect can be enhanced by laser light, blue light or heat.

The bleaching agents penetrate the tooth enamel and loosen its mineral structure, causing pores and structural changes. The light is reflected closer to the tooth surface, which makes the teeth appear brighter and (opaque) whiter.

In addition, colour substrates stored in the enamel are oxidised and lightened. The structural changes that cause the whitening effect gradually disappear due to remineralisation effects from the saliva and toothpaste. A bleaching result is rarely stable for years.

Expert tip
In young teeth, the enamel is generally thicker than in older teeth. The enamel is particularly thin on tooth necks and sometimes on canines. The whitening effect is therefore more pronounced in adolescents and some tooth necks or canines can hardly be whitened. Fillings and dentures cannot be whitened either.

Home bleachingSince

the Cosmetics Ordinance was amended in 2012, toothpastes for home use may only contain hydrogen peroxide up to a maximum concentration of 0.1%. Its bleaching effect is therefore limited to insignificant effects. What remains is a certain acidic effect and, with regular use, a roughening of the tooth surface (increased build-up of colour deposits).

bleaching agents from the trade are also low in concentration and therefore limited in their effect. Depending on the application, e.g. in the form of strips or sticks, unsightly stains may also appear on the teeth.

Sustainable bleaching results can only be achieved by a dentist. The dentist begins the bleaching therapy with a professional tooth cleaning and the treatment of carious lesions or leaking fillings, etc.

Only the dentist can assess findings such as exposed tooth necks and thin gums and then select the correct (responsible) bleaching technique.

In the event of side effects such as sensitivity or gum inflammation, the bleaching therapy is (temporarily) suspended.

Expert tip
Repeated bleaching in particular can lead to damage and pore formation on the tooth surface or roughen it. Colouring foods and stimulants such as coffee, tea or nicotine stains often adhere to the tooth surface.

Bleaching at the dentist

The stronger dental bleaching agents act evenly over the tooth surface and penetrate deeper into the enamel layer. The bleaching result is therefore more intensive, more even and lasts longer.

The in-office application is often intensified over several days using dental bleaching trays and additional home bleaching pastes directly after the dental appointment at home (leave bleaching agent with bleaching tray to work overnight). Repeated bleaching is also possible. However, several months should be allowed to pass between bleaching sessions so that the enamel and in particular the tooth surface can recover through remineralisation from the saliva.

At the end of the bleaching treatment, it is very important to close the roughness and pores on the surface of the enamel caused by the bleaching agent so that no colour substrates can adhere or penetrate and the bleaching result lasts as long as possible.

This is achieved by wearing a dental splint at night for at least one week, preferably several. the bleaching tray prepared by the dentist or ApaCare Repair tooth tray) with tooth repair paste (ApaCare Repair tooth repair paste).

The resulting deposition of white medical hydroxyapatite (liquid tooth enamel) on the tooth surface additionally favours the bleaching result.

It may be necessary to replace fillings or crowns with lighter ones after bleaching

. Everything you need is included in the ApaCare tooth whitening kit

Gentle tooth whitening through surface treatment

Another way to whiten teeth is to compact the tooth surface, enrich it with minerals and smooth it. The structural damage described with conventional bleaching does not occur; on the contrary, the surface of the teeth is thickened and the whitening result lasts longer. However, the effect takes longer to appear and is less intense.

This is achieved by regularly applying tooth repair pastes (ApaCare Repair tooth repair paste) daily (overnight) using a dental tray (ApaCare Repair dental tray). The superficial light reflections on the condensed tooth surface lead to more lustre and natural brightness. Dental plaque can also adhere less, which also supports the effects.

Everything you need is included in the ApaCare tooth whitening kit.

What to do if the tooth is discoloured from the inside?

Internal tooth discolouration can indeed occur, for example, due to the death of nerve tissue (pulp) inside the tooth or reactions from (root canal) filling materials. Some of these are also congenital, caused by side effects of medication or accompanying symptoms of malformations.

The usually dark, blackish-grey discolouration of decayed pulp tissue can often be bleached very successfully from the inside out. The dentist first checks the root canal filling, which often needs to be replaced before internal bleaching. A permanent bleaching agent is then placed inside the tooth over a period of several days to a week and the tooth is sealed. This so-called walking bleaching technique involves a continuous release of oxygen from the bleaching agent over many hours, which penetrates the pores of the tooth from the inside and can break down and oxidise the colouring agents. Once the bleaching agent has been removed, the tooth is sealed tightly and the bleaching is therefore stable for a very long time in most cases.

What to do if stains occur during bleaching?

If the bleaching agent is not applied or applied evenly, but also if the enamel is inhomogeneous, unsightly stains or lines may appear on the enamel surface. In this case, it is strongly advisable not to apply bleaching agent again in order to prevent further staining. These effects usually disappear within weeks due to the natural remineralisation effects of saliva.

This can be supported and accelerated by applying enamel pastes / repair pastes such as ApaCare Repair tooth repair paste, preferably using a dental tray (e.g. ApaCare Repair dental tray).

What to do in case of blue discolouration after accidents?

In the event of injuries caused by a fall, blood vessels in the dental pulp (dental nerve) may burst with subsequent bleeding, which can lead to blue discolouration of the teeth, similar to a haematoma. These regularly disappear without further action.

A check-up at the dentist to rule out tooth fractures or damage to the dental nerve is recommended.