Many people have heard the term "teeth bleaching" and wonder if it is the same thing as whitening. In many cases, these terms are used interchangeably, but they do mean something slightly different from each other. Understanding how teeth accumulate stains and how they are removed will help you understand if you need your teeth whitened or if you need teeth bleaching treatments in order to gain a whiter smile.

Whitening is defined as restoring teeth to their natural color by removing stains or other debris. By this definition, anything you do to clean your teeth may be considered whitening them, so simply using toothpaste falls into that category. As for teeth bleaching, this is when you use a chemical process to make the teeth whiter than their natural color. The products used usually contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which are both bleaching agents. Because whitening sounds less threatening than bleaching, it is common to hear that term even if the products used actually contain peroxide.

People may wonder why our teeth simply do not stay as white as they were when they first entered our mouths. The white color is actually the enamel that protects the teeth from damage. However, over time, the enamel wears down and becomes transparent and can also become stained by the foods we eat. As we eat dark colored foods or drink beverages such as red wine or coffee, or even as we smoke and bring nicotine in contact with our teeth, those things can stain the outside of the enamel. Teeth bleaching can remove these kinds of external stains.

There are also stains that are inside the teeth surfaces which can be caused by aging or trauma or other things. These are much harder to remove, but dentists have come to believe that with properly supervised bleaching, these stains may also be removed.

As you can see, whether you call it teeth whitening or bleaching, you can use bleaching products to help remove the stains from your teeth and gain a whiter smile. You can visit your cosmetic dentist to have your teeth professionally whitened, or you can purchase a number of products that you can use in the comfort of your own home. Many of these products have been shown to be effective if used as directed. It is important that you follow all directions in order to get the best results. However, it is very simple to bleach your teeth if you want a whiter smile. With proper bleaching, your teeth can become whiter than they have ever been.