Lighter Lessons: A History of Teeth Whitening

If your teeth have been darkened by years of consuming foods and beverages that stain, you’re not alone. Although many over-the-counter products claim that they can lighten your teeth, they often include abrasive bleaching agents that wear down your enamel and result in tooth sensitivity. Fortunately, your dentist can provide professional-grade whitening treatments that get better results without causing the same discomfort.

Today, your dentist can brighten your teeth by several shades in a single hour-long visit but that hasn’t always been the case! People have struggled with stained teeth for centuries. Keep reading to learn more about the fascinating history of this cosmetic cure!

Ancient Aesthetics

As far as we know, the first attempts to whiten teeth were made by the Egyptians about 4,000 years ago. They would use ground pumice stone mixed with wine vinegar to create a paste to remove stains. Although this sounds unpleasant to us now, back then it was used as a status symbol because white teeth were considered a sign of both beauty and wealth.

Ancient Romans had an even stranger solution to address discoloration. They would use urine to brighten their smiles because ammonia can act as a bleaching agent.

17^th Century Changes

People didn’t develop updated methods to whiten their teeth until the 17^th century. Back then, barbers typically also handled dental problems. They were able to lighten their client’s smiles using nitric acid after roughening their teeth with a metal file. While this did achieve results, it also resulted in tooth decay because the enamel was worn away. As a result, people began losing teeth at a much more rapid pace.

Modern Modifications

In the 19^th century, there were many advances in the field of dentistry and whitening was one of them. Dentists at the time experimented with using hydrogen peroxide to address gum disease and learned that it could also be an effective tooth whitener. After further research, they also discovered that exposing it to a heating lamp accelerated the process. Then, in the 1960s, dentists realized that soaking teeth in peroxide overnight could also leave them much brighter.

Contemporary Cures

Today, your dentist uses professional-grade gels that contain different agents like carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide to brighten your grin. A single in-office appointment can create effective results that can last anywhere from 6 months to 3 years. Many providers also offer take-home kits using the same top-tier ingredients so that you can get an enhanced smile from the comfort of your own home. It’s considered one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to improve your appearance.

Now that you know more about the history of teeth whitening, you can see why there’s no better time than now to schedule an appointment with your dentist!

About the Practice

At Region Dental, patients benefit from two dental experts who provide a full range of high-quality services all under one roof. They have decades of combined experience, and both continue to hone their skills with continued educational opportunities. They take their time to get to know you and your unique dental needs. Then, they collaborate to provide individualized treatments to address them. They are dedicated to staying abreast of updates in dental technology and techniques so you’re always sure to get the best possible solutions. If you’d like to whiten your teeth, you’re welcome to request an appointment on the website or by calling (219) 362-8980.