It’s hard to imagine anything more appealing than a sparkling, white smile. Yet our teeth rarely stay as white as we’d like them to without a little help. Fortunately, that help is available at the dental office.
It’s hard to imagine anything more appealing than a sparkling, white smile. Yet our teeth rarely stay as white as we’d like them to without a little help. Fortunately, that help is available at the dental office.
Teeth whitening done in a professional dental setting is a safe, effective way to brighten your smile. It’s also perhaps the most economical cosmetic dental procedure. Depending on the whitening method you choose, results can be dramatic: in-office whitening, for example, can lighten teeth three to eight shades in a single hour.
Professionally supervised whitening will work faster, and protect sensitive gums and tooth-root surfaces better, than over-the-counter whitening products. Having an oral exam before you begin any whitening process is an important first step to make sure your tooth discoloration is not the result of a dental condition in need of treatment. Also, please be aware that it can be risky to have whitening solutions applied to your teeth by untrained personnel in shopping malls. If you have any questions about which whitening method would be best for you, talk to us first.
Professional whitening makes use of high-concentration bleaching gels that are not available over the counter.
In-office whitening is an effective way to get an immediate result. If you want whiter teeth within the next few days, this may be the best option for you. However, if you have a little more time, we recommend having custom whitening trays fabricated and using our professional strength whitening gel. For most people, maintaining white teeth involves routine maintenance rather than a one time whitening session. Whitening results naturally diminish over time, and other factors such as drinking coffee or tea, eating food with dark colors, and smoking, can further darken teeth. If you have whitening trays and gel available to you, you can give your teeth a whitening boost whenever you feel you need one.
This is another effective way to whiten your teeth, though you will play a greater role in ensuring the best possible results and several weeks may be needed to achieve your desired level of whiteness. First, a mold of your teeth will be taken and then two thin, flexible plastic mouth trays will be custom-made for you — one for the top teeth and one for the bottom. We provide professional strength whitening gel for a quicker and more effective result. Most patients will whiten every day for 1-2 weeks when you first start and then get more whitening gel to place in your trays whenever you want a whitening boost. You will fill the trays with whitening gel and then position the trays over your teeth. The trays are left in usually for about an hour at a time.
There are lots of things you can do to make sure your whitening results last as long as possible, and this will vary from person to person (six months to two years or even longer). First of all, please maintain your usual, conscientious routine of brushing and flossing every day, and keep up with your regular schedule of professional cleanings at the dental office. Avoid foods and beverages that stain, including red wine, tea, and coffee. If you smoke, use your newly whitened teeth as an impetus to quit — a good idea in any event! A minor touch-up every so often, either at home or at the dental office, can keep your smile bright and beautiful for years.