How Do You Whiten Teeth
There are a number of ways for patients to whiten their teeth including professional, in-office whitening at brechon dental in belvidere il, and at-home whitening. Finding your teeth is one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to quickly improve your smile. Not everyone is a candidate for every type of whitening so it is very important that you speak with your dentist before beginning any whitening regiment.
Do I need to do anything to prepare for whitening?
Before you begin any whitening treatment, you might consider having your teeth professionally cleaned by your dental office. Your hygienist will be able to remove superficial stains and plaque buildup that can get in the way of the whitening. This is a great way to ensure you get the best possible results!
If you have issues with tooth sensitivity, it can also be beneficial to use sensitivity toothpaste for a few days prior to whitening.
What types of whitening are available to patients?
There are a number of products available for teeth whitening, both over-the-counter or through your dental office. All whitening treatments use either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide in the whitening solution. Professional products contain a peroxide concentration between 10% and 22% whereas over-the-counter products range between 6% and 14%.
In-Office
The fastest way to achieve maximum results is to have your teeth professionally whitened by your dental office. This is often the more costly option but your results are immediate and you do not have to prolong dietary limitations as with at home whitening.
Depending on the system your office uses, in-office whitening costs up to $1000. Patients with tetracycline stains will definitely require professional whitening because over-the-counter products will not work. In office whitening takes an hour and a half to two hours and uses an ultraviolet light to activate a topical peroxide gel solution.
Results are immediate and it will continue to improve over the next day or two. Some offices also offer custom whitening trays with your in-office whitening treatment for at-home touch ups, though you may have to buy the solution separately.
At-Home
At-home whitening treatments are cheaper but take much longer to achieve desired results and you need to avoid certain foods and beverages until you are done. Over-the-counter products like whitening strips, trays, and pens are highly effective and are much less costly.
Whitening strips are thin plastic with a whitening gel already on them and ready to use! The strips are applied to the teeth and worn for 30 minutes to an hour each day for 7-14 days.
Your dental office may also offer at-home whitening kits which will include custom trays that you put the whitening solution into and wear for up to an hour each day for up to two weeks or until desired results are achieved.
How do I keep my new, white smile bright?
Using oral care products that contain baking soda are very helpful to remove daily staining. Having your teeth professionally cleaned on a regular basis will also help keep your teeth bright. Your dental hygienist is able to remove a shocking amount of staining!
After you finish any whitening treatment, it is important to avoid any future coverage as it can stain a white T-shirt for at least 48 hours. This will help ensure that your teeth get as white as possible!