How to Whiten Your Smile

Wondering how to whiten your smile? You have come to the right place. This article will teach you everything you need to know about improving the color of your teeth.

Getting teeth whitened is a straightforward process. Most whitening products come with either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. These are bleaching agents that break stains into smaller pieces which make teeth appear brighter.

Whitening your smile: How it works

Teeth whitening treatments can lead to significantly whiter teeth, but they do not correct all cases of discoloration. For example, stains that are caused by excessive exposure to fluoride do not respond to bleaching agents. Neither do teeth with grayish tones. Whitening works best on yellow teeth or brownish stains.

When it comes to whitening your smile, there are many options available. Some of these include:

1. Whitening toothpaste

Brushing alone helps to remove surface stains on teeth thanks to the abrasives in toothpaste and scrubbing action while brushing. Whitening toothpaste contains whitening agents like baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, which help to remove stains from teeth surfaces.

Using a whitening toothpaste will not lead to a significant change in the color of teeth and it can take several weeks to get noticeable results.

2. In-office whitening treatments

This is the most effective way to significantly improve the color of teeth. Dentists have access to bleaching agents that are more concentrated than products that can be purchased over-the-counter. This can lead to teeth that are eight shades whiter after a single treatment.

During the treatment, the dentist will use a gel or mouth guard to protect the patient's gums from the bleaching agent.

3. At-home professional treatments

Dentists can also provide patients with at-home whitening kits. These come with custom trays that ensure safe at-home treatments. This is a more affordable option than in-office whitening treatments, but it also takes longer (around three weeks) for the patient to achieve the desired results.

4. Over-the-counter whitening products

There are a wide variety of teeth whitening products available at local grocery stores. There are whitening strips, gels and pastes that can be used to whiten teeth without the guidance of a dentist. These products are nowhere as effective as those that are used by dentists, and the lower quality products can damage tooth enamel.

However, it is the most affordable option. Patients who are thinking about going this route should only purchase products that have the American Dental Association's seal and they should not expect instant results.

Potential side effects of whitening your smile

Some patients experience tooth sensitivity after whitening treatments. This occurs when the bleaching agent gets into the dentin. The sensitivity is usually temporary. However, an excessive use of whitening products can lead to gum and tooth enamel damage.

Bleaching agents can irritate the gums. Patients should also consider getting a mouth guard before using bleaching products.

Want to whiten your smile? Schedule a consultation with one of our dentists and explore all your options.

Let's get started…

Looking to whiten your smile near the 33134 area? Call Gables Exceptional Dentistry at (305) 203-4132.