Do you want to achieve a smile that is whiter and brighter? Today, our Orangeville dentists share some teeth whitening options to help you pick the right method for you.
What are Teeth Whitening Treatments?
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure that has the goal of making a patient's teeth lighter with peroxide-based bleaching agents. As the active ingredient breaks down, oxygen acts on the tooth enamel, creating the whitening effect.
Options for Whitening Your Teeth
Today, there are many methods available that could help you whiten your teeth. It can be difficult to choose the right one, and each has its advantages and can offer positive results. As with any other procedure, there are also some disadvantages to each.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
The most effective teeth whitening procedures are performed by dentists in their offices. Since the whitening agents in a dentist’s gel are much stronger they can produce much more effective results than over-the-counter products.
The procedure typically takes an hour. The dentist conducting your treatment will use 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 take days or weeks to show results.
At-Home Professional Teeth Whitening Trays
This take-home method is supervised by your dentist. During an initial consultation with your dentist, a dental impression will be taken so your whitening trays can be made.
You’ll take the whitening trays home and manage the teeth whitening application yourself. You’ll wear the whitening gel for between 30 minutes to a few hours a day, for 1 to 3 weeks depending on what your dentist prescribes.
The whitening solution will gradually remove surface stains from your teeth and lighten their natural colour.
Toothpaste
The purpose of whitening toothpaste is to remove surface stains and make your teeth slightly whiter. However, you should know that whitening toothpaste won't 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 protect your teeth from cavities and prevent your enamel from getting even more damaged, 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 more 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 improve their colour, shape and symmetry.
If only one or a few of your teeth are discoloured, porcelain veneers may be a practical solution to even out the colour of your teeth.
Determining Which Whitening Option is Right for You
There are various factors that go into determining which teeth whitening products are right for you, from personal preference to the time you have available in your schedule, and your budget. You may want to consider looking up teeth whitening reviews online for tips and ideas from other people who have opted to take the professional and/or at-home route.