Over time, food, smoking, and aging cause teeth to lose their original white color and take on a more yellowish hue. The longer this condition remains untreated by dental intervention, the more it worsens, creating an unappealing image that makes many people feel uncomfortable when they smile.

There are numerous pharmaceutical products on the market that promise to solve this unpleasant issue. Whitening toothpastes, pre-made trays, pens, home devices, and many others claim to offer a solution to the problem, often with dubious results. The reason most of these fail is that they only target the outer, superficial layer of the tooth.

In contrast, the special whitening agents used by a dentist work inside the tooth, breaking down the pigments that have accumulated, restoring the tooth to its original brightness. This is achieved with special gels that contain either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.

Teeth whitening can be done in two ways:

a) In two or three 20-minute sessions at the dentist’s office using a special lamp that emits LED light, which accelerates the whitening process. With this technique, teeth can whiten by five to eight shades, and in difficult cases, the procedure can be repeated after one month. 

b) With special trays, which are custom-made from the patient's dental impressions. The patient fills these trays daily with a special material provided by the dentist. These trays are worn either at night or for a few hours during the day and gradually whiten the teeth until the desired result is achieved. In most cases, a period of about 20 days is enough to make a noticeable difference, although in special cases, such as heavy staining from tetracycline, a much longer period may be needed. 

The duration of the whitening effect depends on the habits of each person, and periodic maintenance, following the dentist’s instructions, will be necessary.