With family and friends summer events in store for all of us, there are always lots of photos taken. When we look at photos, our smiles are one of the first things noticed. You can feel confident about yours with a whiter smile!
Whitening products are the most popular, sought after, cosmetic dental procedures because they can greatly improve how your teeth look. Although there are certain considerations to be made, almost anyone can whiten their teeth. This month we’ll discuss the safety of tooth whitening as well as the options we provide to patients.
Is it Safe to Whiten my Teeth?
When whitening first came out, some patients were concerned of the products safety, but with time comes progression and product improvement. Both over the counter products as well as in office procedures are safe for the teeth when used as directed.
If you have tooth decay or receding gums, whitening may make your teeth more sensitive. It’s a good idea to use a high concentration fluoride toothpaste, before whitening and after to help prevent sensitivity.
In any case it is important to ask your dentist if you’re a good candidate for whitening. Remember that existing crowns and fillings will not whiten, they will remain whatever color they were at placement.
Whitening Options
-Toothpaste: Easy to find everywhere toothpastes are sold. They usually contain a peroxide of one form or another and some contain different abrasives. Remember that pastes of all kinds only remove surface stains. Generally, this is a great product to help maintain your bright smile once your ideal shade has been reached from whitening.
-Strips: Whitening flexible strips coated with whitening gel have been around for awhile now and are a quick way to lighten teeth in a pinch. They work best if you refrain from speaking for the allotted time to keep the strips in place. If you need a quick whitening option for an event and can’t make it in to the office, the strips are an easy choice.
-Customized Whitening Trays: We offer complimentary whitening trays to all of our patients. We will take molds of your teeth and make custom trays. We provide the whitening gel with instructions. As long as you maintain appointments and don’t neglect your oral health, we’ll continue to supply the whitening gel. All you have to do is ask at your hygiene visit! The trays take an initial 2 weeks of daily use to achieve maximum whitening but from there require touch ups as needed.
-Opalescence on the Go: Universal ready-made trays, no impressions. Prepackaged trays with 10 upper and 10 lower trays, very easy to use. Worn for 30 minutes and then disposed of. This also makes a great gift for almost anyone!
Before you get started...
Have your hygiene visit. It’s so important to have your teeth cleaned before you start bleaching to have surface stains and tartar removed in order to have the best whitening result.
We wouldn’t be doing our jobs if we didn’t highlight the fact that good homecare, will help keep your teeth white naturally. Brushing twice per day with an electric toothbrush and flossing or using a water flosser daily will help prevent plaque and stain buildup that discolors teeth.
How Long will the Results Last?
This is another FAQ. Whitening results are very much dependent on your homecare (discussed above) and your habits. Teeth stain develops faster If you consume dark drinks like coffee, tea and red wine. A couple of tips to try are to rinse with water after consuming these beverages or consume through a straw to prevent the staining liquids from flowing over teeth. The better homecare you have, the fewer staining beverages you drink, the longer you can expect your results to last.
We’d love to discuss the best whitening options for you! Everyone’s mouth and habits are different and what works best for you, may not be the best for someone else. Like all of our treatment planning, we enjoy tailoring our recommendations based on your individual needs. Feel free to discuss with your hygienist at your next visit!
References
Mouth Healthy – https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/w/whitening
Colgate – https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/teeth-whitening/tooth-whitening
Meet a practice where dentistry is friendly and patient-focused! Our team members have been part of our practice for many years and have turned making patients feel comfortable into a fine art.