Hygienist whitening
A hygienist can remove plaque, calculus, and external stains, but professional cleaning is different from bleaching internal tooth colour.
What is the direct answer?
A hygienist can remove plaque, calculus, and external stains, but professional cleaning is different from bleaching internal tooth colour.
What does this question mean?
Calculus is mineralised plaque; polishing reduces surface stain, while peroxide whitening changes tooth colour through oxidation.
What can you do next?
Have decay, gum inflammation, restorations, and sensitivity checked before choosing cleaning, whitening, or both.
When should you seek dental care?
Seek assessment before whitening if teeth hurt, gums bleed, roots are exposed, or visible restorations are present. Ask which stain is present.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask which diagnosis fits the findings, what treatment is needed, and what changes should prompt earlier review.
Frequently asked questions
Can home care identify the cause?
Home care may ease irritation, but examination can be needed to identify the cause.
What should you record?
Note when it began, what changes it, and any medicines, products, or dental work involved.