Teeth Whitening in Turkey: Brighten Your Smile in Antalya

Everyone has a different natural tooth shade. Many factors influence these differences. So, what determines this colour and shade? Let's take a closer look.

Genetic factors:

The structure, thickness and colour of teeth can vary from person to person. This is entirely due to inherited genetic traits. While some people may have thick, opaque enamel, others may have thinner, more translucent enamel.

Dentin:

Dentin is the layer beneath the enamel. It is the part of the tooth that primarily determines its colour. If the dentin is thick and dark, this will show through translucent enamel, making the tooth appear yellow or grey. If the dentin is thinner and lighter, the teeth will appear whiter.

Aging:

Enamel thinning can also be a result of ageing. As enamel wears down over time, the underlying dentin becomes more visible, making the teeth appear yellow or grey.

Diet and other habits:

Frequent consumption of tea, coffee, wine and tobacco products stains tooth enamel. It is therefore essential to minimise their intake and brush your teeth right after consuming them.

Medication use:

Taking antibiotics from the tetracycline family during childhood can disrupt the structure of the teeth and lead to yellowing. Excessive fluoride intake can also negatively affect tooth colour.

Dental treatments:

Teeth may darken after procedures such as root canal treatment. Amalgam fillings can also leave grey stains on teeth.

Now, we will explain the teeth whitening procedure step by step. This should help you to understand how the process works.

Appointment and pre-consultation:

First, you need to make an appointment with your dentist. During your appointment, we recommend that you clearly communicate your expectations to your dentist.

Initial examination:

During your first examination, your dentist will carefully check the health of your teeth and gums. If you have any oral health issues, these must be treated first. If you have any cavities, they must be treated. If you have gum disease, this should be addressed as a priority.

Tartar and plaque cleaning:

First, any plaque and tartar that has accumulated on the tooth surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned off. This allows the whitening gel to come into direct contact with the enamel.

Mouth protection:

Before the procedure, the gums, lips and inner cheeks must be protected to prevent contact with the gel. This helps to avoid any tissue damage.

Gel application:

A gel containing either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide is applied to the tooth surfaces. This gel lightens the colour pigments within the enamel.

Activation:

After the gel has been applied, you will be given protective glasses. Then, a laser or LED light is used to activate the particles in the gel.

Cleaning:

Once the light session is over, the gel is carefully cleaned off the teeth. Any remaining gel is cleared from the surfaces and spaces between the teeth.

Check-up:

After cleaning, your dentist will check whether the desired shade of whiteness has been achieved. If not, the procedure can be repeated for a few more sessions.

There are various techniques for whitening teeth. Some of these are professional procedures, while others are DIY treatments. In this article, we will mainly focus on professional treatments that can be carried out by your dentist. However, we also want to make you aware of the other techniques. Let's now take a look at the different types of teeth whitening technique.

Market products:

You may have noticed some products on supermarket and cosmetic store shelves. These include strips that are applied to the teeth and left in place, whitening toothpastes and gels, which often claim to have teeth-whitening effects on their packaging. While these products may have some effect, the results are usually short-lived. Furthermore, you may not achieve the level of whiteness you’re hoping for. Such procedures should be carried out under your dentist’s supervision or with their approval to avoid putting your health at risk.

At-home whitening treatment:

Although this treatment is performed at home, it is professional and carried out under the supervision of a dentist. Your dentist will take a mould of your teeth and prepare a custom-fit tray. The tray is then coated with carbamide peroxide. You wear the tray for a few hours each day. This treatment usually continues for one to two weeks. While it provides long-lasting results, some people may prefer an alternative due to the length of the treatment process.

In-clinic whitening:

This is a professional whitening procedure performed in the clinic after an examination by your dentist and any necessary preparations. A gel containing either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide is applied to the surface of the teeth, which is then activated using a light source. This method is commonly preferred as it delivers fast, effective results.

Do you have stains or yellowing on your teeth? Find out if you're a good candidate for teeth whitening treatment.

Let's explore the conditions under which you may be suitable for this treatment.

Firstly, your dentist will make the most valid decision on whether you are a suitable candidate for this procedure after the initial examination. During this examination, your dentist will check for gum disease. If you have gum disease, this will need to be treated first. Once your treatment is complete, teeth whitening can be performed.

If you have any cavities, these will need to be filled or treated with root canal therapy.

If you have tooth sensitivity, the cause should be identified and addressed to reduce sensitivity. You may then become a suitable candidate for teeth whitening.

If you have stains or yellowing on your teeth due to genetic or environmental factors, teeth whitening may be a good option for you.

Patients who pay attention to their oral and dental hygiene are better candidates for this procedure. During the treatment and to maintain long-lasting results, it is important to brush your teeth regularly, use dental floss to clean between your teeth and use mouthwash to prevent plaque formation.

Teeth whitening is suitable for patients with natural tooth structure, as whitening procedures cannot be performed on non-natural surfaces such as veneers or crowns.

Teeth whitening can be performed on patients who have lost all their baby teeth and have fully erupted permanent teeth.

• Teeth whitening is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Although no specific side effects have been identified, it is not advised as a precaution due to a lack of research.
• It is not recommended for patients with poor oral or dental health. If you have cavities, gum disease or tooth sensitivity, these issues should be treated first.
• Teeth whitening may cause temporary sensitivity. Therefore, patients with existing sensitivity should undergo treatment for it first. Otherwise, the increased sensitivity may cause discomfort.
• Teeth whitening is not recommended for patients with a large number of fillings, veneers or crowns. The gel must be in contact with the natural tooth surface to be effective.
• This treatment is also not recommended for children and young people whose permanent teeth have not fully erupted. Teeth whitening is a more appropriate procedure for individuals over the age of 18.
• Whitening may not be suitable for deeply penetrated stains. These types of stains cannot be removed through whitening. In such cases, veneers may be a better option.

Teeth whitening is not a permanent procedure. However, how long the effects last depends entirely on an individual's oral care, dietary habits and lifestyle. On average, the whitening effect lasts between six months and two years. Once discolouration begins to appear, you can visit your dentist for a touch-up session. This will help you to maintain the results of the whitening treatment for a longer period.

A touch-up is a supplementary whitening treatment for patients who have already undergone teeth whitening. If you notice discolouration, simply visiting your dentist will suffice. The touch-up can be carried out in a single clinical session or at home using a custom-made tray provided by your dentist. Either option will help you keep your teeth looking white for an extended period.

Even after getting a teeth whitening treatment, you should continue to pay attention to your dental hygiene. This means brushing your teeth at least twice a day, cleaning between your teeth with dental floss and rinsing regularly with mouthwash. Don't forget to brush your tongue too! This will also help to prevent plaque build-up.

You should also minimise dietary habits that stain the enamel. Beverages such as tea, coffee and wine can stain tooth enamel. Therefore, you should clean your teeth after consuming such items. Otherwise, it will be difficult to keep your teeth white.

Smoking is harmful to your health. It also causes yellow and brown stains on your teeth. It can also severely damage your gums, potentially leading to tooth loss.

You should not skip your regular dental check-ups. This allows your dentist to provide supportive whitening sessions when necessary. These touch-up sessions can help you maintain the sparkle of your whitened teeth for longer.

Teeth whitening can lighten your tooth shade by 4 to 8 shades. This depends entirely on:

• Your tooth structure
• The whitening technique used
• The duration of the procedure

Greyish teeth are more difficult to whiten and you may not achieve the expected result. However, teeth with a yellowish tone generally respond better to whitening. The degree of whitening increases as the number of sessions and the duration of the application increase. Using a supportive tray after the clinical procedure can help to achieve longer-lasting and whiter results.

However, your expert dentist must determine the entire treatment plan, and you should follow the method they recommend.

Teeth whitening does not damage teeth. The gels used for teeth whitening are formulated so as not to harm tooth enamel. However, it is extremely important that the procedure is carried out by a qualified dentist under the right conditions. If a home whitening method is used, this should be done under the guidance of a specialist. Otherwise, the teeth may be damaged. Overuse can lead to enamel damage.

Using products purchased without proper knowledge may also harm your teeth. Therefore, if you are considering teeth whitening, we strongly recommend consulting a specialist dentist and following their advice. Otherwise, you may experience consequences such as tooth loss or significant damage to your teeth.

At-home whitening involves wearing a tray for 1–2 hours a day over the course of 1–2 weeks.

In-clinic treatment takes between 30 minutes and 1 hour.

Your examination will take about 10–15 minutes. Your cavities and gum health will be checked. Any plaque and tartar will be removed.

Then, the gel is applied to your teeth. Your tissues are protected before application. Afterwards, the gel is activated with light, which takes about 15–30 minutes.

The gel is left on your teeth for a while. It is usually left on for 15–20 minutes. This process can be repeated until the desired level of whiteness is achieved. Therefore, the gel may remain on your teeth for a total of 30–45 minutes during these repetitions.

Afterwards, the gel is removed within 5–10 minutes and final checks are performed. If necessary, the process can be repeated or you can use at-home whitening products to support your treatment.

Your bright, dazzling smile is ready!

The minimum age for teeth whitening is 18. This is because the mouth and teeth are expected to be fully developed by this age. For children under 18, the focus should be on maintaining oral and dental health and providing orthodontic treatment if necessary.

In addition, the complete shedding of milk teeth and eruption of permanent teeth should be awaited.

Since enamel development is not complete until after the age of 18, children's teeth should not be subjected to whitening procedures before this stage.

Furthermore, young individuals tend to have larger dental nerves. Larger dental nerves increase tooth sensitivity. Therefore, since whitening may exacerbate this sensitivity, it is not recommended for children or very young people.

• Teeth whitening can give you a healthy, radiant smile. Having smooth, white teeth will boost your self-confidence and strengthen your social skills.
• In-office whitening treatments provide visible results on the same day. If you use at-home whitening trays, you will notice a difference within a few days. In both cases, the whitening process delivers quick results.
• When this treatment is carried out under the supervision of a specialist dentist, neither your teeth nor your gums will be harmed. In other words, you can smile at life with confidence without losing anything.
• For the best results, tartar and plaque are removed. Any cavities are also treated. Your gums are examined and treated if necessary. Thanks to this preliminary care, your oral health is assessed, and any necessary treatments are applied.
• This treatment is much more affordable than veneers, crowns or other restorative procedures. Moreover, unlike those treatments, your teeth are not abraded and their integrity is preserved.
• Your specialist dentist will plan a personalised treatment process for you. They will consider your desired shade of whiteness and your overall health condition when creating a treatment plan.

• You may experience temporary tooth sensitivity after a teeth-whitening procedure. This is completely normal and not a permanent condition. You can manage any discomfort with over-the-counter painkillers, or simply by paying attention to your diet and avoiding extreme hot or cold temperatures.
• The effects of teeth whitening are not permanent. It is a procedure that needs to be repeated over time. However, how long the effects last depends entirely on the individual’s habits. Maintaining good oral hygiene and avoiding staining beverages and smoking will extend the longevity of the whitening results.
• Unlike yellow-toned teeth, grey-toned teeth may not always respond well to whitening.
• Teeth whitening does not work on artificial materials such as veneers, crowns or fillings. It only whitens natural tooth surfaces.
• Teeth whitening is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, people under 18 years old, or individuals with gum problems.

Teeth whitening is often effective at removing dental stains. However, it may not be able to treat certain types of discolouration and stains. Let's take a closer look at both scenarios.

Teeth whitening can help eliminate permanent stains caused by colour-inducing foods and beverages, such as coffee, tea and wine. It may also be effective in reducing yellowing and stains caused by smoking.

This treatment is also useful for addressing age-related yellowing.

Teeth whitening can also repair enamel discolouration caused by conditions such as fluorosis.

However, it may not be effective for purple or grey discolouration resulting from medication.

Teeth whitening also does not affect discolouration that occurs in the deeper layers of the tooth.

Unfortunately, it cannot treat discolouration caused by trauma, such as falls or impacts.

Turkey offers treatments and environments that meet European standards, with doctors and clinics that will make you feel right at home.

Thanks to the favourable exchange rate and lower fixed costs, you can receive treatment at more affordable prices without having to wait weeks for an appointment.

Due to the high volume of patients, specialist doctors have gained extensive experience in teeth whitening applications.

All materials used are high-quality European products.

Clinics are frequently inspected by the government and those that do not comply with regulations are not permitted to operate.

Doctors and clinic staff generally have a high level of English proficiency, so patients coming from abroad do not encounter communication issues.

In health tourism centres such as Antalya and Istanbul, some clinics also offer their patients comfortable, luxurious hotel accommodation and free intra-city transfer services. This makes combining treatment with a holiday a wonderful experience.

How effective are at-home teeth whitening products compared to professional whitening?

At-home teeth whitening applications show their effects more slowly. The results may not be as effective as the teeth whitening performed in a clinic. At-home teeth whitening is generally preferred to support clinical treatments.

Can teeth whitening cause tooth sensitivity?

Whitening your teeth may cause temporary sensitivity to hot and cold. However, this is not permanent or unbearable. It usually disappears within a few days.

How soon can you expect to see results from teeth whitening?

With at-home treatments, it may take a few days to see results. However, with a clinical application, the effect can be seen immediately.