If your goal is to have a whiter smile our dentists in Whitehorse can help. Here they have listed some ways that can help you achieve your goal and the effects each option has.
What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure that uses peroxide bleaching agents crafted to lighten the colour of your teeth. As the active ingredient breaks down, oxygen acts on the tooth enamel, creating the whitening effect.
Your options for teeth whitening?
Today, there are various tooth whitening options available for you. It can be hard to decide which one will work best for you, and every choice has its own advantages that could offer positive results as well as disadvantages.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Generally, teeth whitening procedures performed by your dentist in a dental office are the most effective. This is because the whitening agents in your dentist’s gel are much stronger and produce much more effective results than over-the-counter products.
The procedure typically takes about an hour. Your dentist will utilize a concentrated whitening solution to remove surface stains from your teeth and lighten their natural colour. This yields somewhat more efficient results than at-home whitening solutions, which could take days or even weeks to work.
Professional At-Home Teeth Whitening Trays
This is a take-home option that would be supervised by your dentist. During an initial visit to your dentist, a dental impression will be crafted to make your whitening trays.
You’ll take the whitening trays home and manage the teeth whitening application yourself. You’ll wear the whitening gel for approximately 30 minutes to a few hours a day, for 1 to 3 weeks based on what your dentist prescribes.
The whitening solution will gradually remove surface stains from your teeth and lighten their natural colour.
Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste works to remove surface stains and slightly whiten your teeth. Although, you have to remember that whitening toothpaste will not affect the natural colour of your teeth, and they will be unable to lighten stains that have penetrated below the tooth’s surface.
Enamel strengthening toothpaste can help to defend your teeth from cavities and protect your enamel from further damage, which can prevent stains from developing in the first place.
Whitening Strips
These small plastic strips are coated with peroxide-based gel. When you apply the strip to your teeth, the peroxide coating removes surface stains, lightening the colour of your teeth.
You would typically apply whitening strips daily for a 2- to 3-week period, and keep them on for no longer than 30 minutes at a time. Because these products contain only a small amount of peroxide, you will usually see only subtle results.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are razor-thin strips of porcelain that are affixed to the fronts of your teeth to help improve their colour, shape and symmetry.
If only one or a few of your teeth are discoloured, porcelain veneers could be a practical solution to even out the colour of your teeth.
How do I know which are the best teeth whitening products?
The best teeth whitening products for you will depend on a number of factors, such as personal preference, the time you have available in your schedule, and your budget. You may also want to consider looking up teeth whitening reviews online for tips and ideas from other people that have taken the professional and/or at-home route.