THE HISTORY OF TEETH WHITENING
As early as 4000 years ago, people wanted a whiter smile.
The ancient Egyptians mixed ground pumice stone with wine vinegar to form a paste.
The ancient Romans used urine for its ammonia properties.
(Thankfully we have come along way!)
3000 years ago people used chew sticks to scrape their teeth.
The 1600s saw the local barber in the tooth whitening business. The barber would file down your teeth and then use nitric acid to whiten the teeth (this didn’t work so well as the acid destroyed the enamel, leaving the teeth stained and prone to decay).
The 19th century saw hydrogen peroxide used as an effective whitening agent. Also, the use of
heating lamps to accelerate the whitening process. The process of soaking teeth in peroxide overnight was also used.
Skip to the 1980s when whitening trays were first introduced. The trays were a means of keeping the peroxide gel on teeth. This is when in-office teeth whitening made its debut.
Nowadays, teeth whitening is available in a variety of different forms. Toothpaste, strips, home bleaching kits, in-office bleaching. Zoom whitening in-office.
It is important to remember that checking with your dentist is always recommended before you try any whitening treatment.
Note: The most effective way to achieve whiter teeth is to have a dental exam ( ensure there are no issues that would hamper the effectiveness of the whitening and that it is safe to proceed with whitening).
A professional dental cleaning will follow your dental exam.
Once you have your cleaning, your hygienist will recommend the best whitening treatment for you !
Call us today to start on your journey to a whiter smile!