A radiant, white smile has always been associated with beauty, health, and success, not merely in Massachusetts but worldwide. Teeth whitening techniques have evolved dramatically throughout the years, and now they are much safer to implement, more effective in attaining desired results, and more accessible than ever.
The cosmetic dentistry in Weston, MA, excels in teeth whitening treatments and a plethora of other dental procedures that help people attain aesthetics and maintain good dental health.
Tooth Whitening- History and Evolution Over the Years
In this blog, we will examine the history and evolution of teeth whitening techniques, from ancient practices to modern innovations that are currently prevailing.
Prevalence in Ancient Times
Tooth whitening is not new or a late modern obsession; its history goes back thousands of years. Ancient civilizations, including the Romans and Egyptians, experimented with numerous methods to attain whiter teeth.
The Egyptians made a paste for cleaning teeth using a mixture of wine vinegar and ground pumice stone. The Romans used a more unconventional and somewhat unsavory technique: They utilized urine as a whitening agent because it contained ammonia.
The Emergence of Modern Dentistry
Dentistry underwent significant advancements in the 18th and 19th centuries, including teeth whitening. Dentists started realizing and acknowledging the sheer importance of dental health and worked on more scientific methods for teeth whitening.
A prominent method around that time was using a mixture of muriatic acid and nitric acid. The formula was adequate, but such acids were highly corrosive and potentially caused significant damage to gums and teeth.
The Breakthrough of Hydrogen Peroxide as Teeth-Whitening Agent
Around the late 19th and early 20th centuries, hydrogen peroxide became a breakthrough in cosmetic dentistry, acting as a teeth-whitening agent.
Hydrogen peroxide, which was prevailing as an antiseptic to clean wounds, proved to be effective in breaking down stains from the teeth. Dentists started using it in variable concentrations and often mixed it with baking soda to make a whitening paste.
The Ascension of OTC Whitening Products
During the 1980s and 1990s, people witnessed the emergence and rise of OTC whitening products, which made tooth whitening accessible to the common public. Toothpaste with lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and mild abrasives started becoming widely available.
In addition, numerous products like whitening gels, strips, and trays came into the picture, letting consumers get much more convenient at-home whitening solutions. Such products became famous because of their affordability and ease of use, but their effectiveness varied.
Professional Whitening and Laser Treatment Popularity
The demand for quicker and more effective results increased, and then professional tooth whitening services started gaining immense popularity. Dentists started offering in-office treatments using a higher concentration of carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide.
In the 1990s, laser teeth whitening procedures gained prominence because they could give noticeable results in merely a single session. The laser speeds up the process by activating the bleaching agent, breaking down the stains faster.
The Arrival of Customized Solutions for Teeth Whitening
Lately, we have seen a shift towards personalized whitening solutions. Dental professionals now give out custom-made whitening trays that fit snugly onto the teeth of the person, making sure that the whitening gel gets applied evenly.
Such trays can be used easily at home under the guidance of a professional dentist, combining at-home convenience with the effectiveness of professional-grade products.
Let’s Wrap it Up!
Teeth whitening has been used since ancient times to help people regain their radiance and confidently carry a smile. It provides an improved aesthetic appearance. In-office teeth whitening tends to show significantly better results compared to at-home products.
It also ensures the safety of the teeth because it is executed under the supervision of a professional, which means the probability of anything going wrong is significantly less compared to performing at-home treatment procedures that do not even guarantee an effective and desired outcome in the end.
