Teeth Whitening Treatment
Teeth Whitening Treatment | In life, there are always choices. If you’re bothered by discolored teeth, you have a variety of teeth whitening treatment options at your disposal. But since every individual is unique, what works for someone else may not necessarily work for you. You may also have different treatment goals than someone else, so you need to carefully weigh your options before committing to a teeth whitening treatment, whether it be at home or at a dental office.
How Teeth Become Discolored
Teeth can become discolored for a variety of reasons, such as:
- Smoking tobacco products
- Drinking dark-colored beverages like coffee and tea
- Taking certain medications that can stain the teeth
Besides smoking tobacco products, drinking beverages like coffee and tea are the usual culprits. Although tasty, these drinks contain substances like tannins that can deposit permanent stains on your teeth over time.
One contributing factor to stained teeth is drinking sodas. These are typically acidic drinks that can damage your tooth enamel, making your teeth more vulnerable to becoming stained. That’s why many people choose a teeth whitening treatment.
Some types of medications are also known to stain teeth, including:
- Certain antibiotics, particularly tetracycline
- Some antihistamines
- Anti-hypertension medication
DIY Whitening
You can attempt to whiten your own teeth at home by purchasing readily available over-the-counter tooth whiteners like whitening toothpastes, gels, trays or strips. If you only have a very minor degree of tooth discoloration, these may work for you. But if you’re like most people, you’ll find the results of these products to be ultimately disappointing.
Professional Teeth Whitening
For most people, professional teeth whitening treatments provide the results that they are looking for. Your dentist uses professional-strength products with a proven track record of safety and effectiveness.
One advantage of undergoing a professional teeth whitening treatment is that you have professional supervision on hand. Your dental team can isolate your teeth so that the whitening product only comes into contact with them, rather than your sensitive gums.
How It Works
Different dentists have different systems, but the way it generally works is that your dentist will apply a whitening gel to the surface of your teeth. This gel will contain some form of peroxide in a high concentration. Your dentist may also use a special light to intensify the whitening effects of the gel.
The gel will be left in place for a specific amount of time, depending upon the level of whitening that you want to achieve. After that it will be rinsed off, and your treatment is complete.
Keep in mind that after any type of teeth whitening treatment, your teeth can again become stained if you make the same lifestyle choices that led to them becoming discolored in the first place.
Schedule Your Teeth Whitening Treatment
Are you ready to regain your beautiful, confident smile? Contact our dental offices today to request information about dental care or to book your professional teeth whitening treatment.
