Here's What to Know About Teeth Whitening

If your teeth are discolored or stained, you don’t need extensive dental work to fix the issue. Teeth whitening is a simple, quick, effective, and affordable option to whiten your smile. This technique involves using bleaching agents to lighten stains and whiten your mouth. Carbamide and hydrogen peroxide are common bleaching ingredients used in teeth whitening. The whitening products contain varying amounts of bleaching agents based on the patient’s needs.

Generally, not all stains or discoloration will respond to teeth whitening. For this reason, you should consult a dentist first before using any whitening products. For instance, internal stains caused by tooth decay, medication, and dental trauma may not respond to bleaching. Instead, dental cosmetic treatments such as dental veneers, bonding, and crowns would be a more effective solution.

What to Know about Teeth Whitening

When considering teeth whitening, you should first know a few details about the treatment.

• Know your options

When it comes to teeth bleaching, you have three primary options: in-office-based teeth bleaching, at-home customized whitening kits from the dentist, and over-the-counter whitening.

In-office teeth whitening is the most effective, quickest, and safest option. Since the treatment is performed by a professional, it involves using strong bleaching agents. You’ll enjoy a new and brighter smile in less than 2 hours. While the cost of teeth whitening treatment can be a concern for some, the results are long-lasting and worthwhile.

If you don’t like the in-office whitening treatments, your dentist can give you customized whitening trays and gel for use at home. Based on the stains and concentration of the bleaching agents, the trays should be worn daily for about 30 minutes or so over a couple of weeks.

With over-the-counter whitening kits, you can get them from a nearby store without a prescription. These can include whitening toothpaste, strips, trays, and mouthwashes. These products come with instructions, which you must follow to avoid complications. Other people consider home remedies such as lemon, apple cider vinegar, and charcoal. Since these are home-based techniques, there’s no guarantee they will work.

If used incorrectly, teeth whitening can cause enamel erosion, gum irritation, tooth sensitivity, and other side effects. In terms of effectiveness and safety, in-office whitening is the best option, followed by at-home customized trays and over-the-counter teeth whitening.

• Know your preferences

What are your goals? If you’re looking for the best whitening results possible, then in-office whitening is the best option. Since the dentist provides the treatment, it involves strong bleaching agents and activating lights, giving you better-looking results. If you only have minor stains and look to brighten your smile, at-home customized whitening kits, and over-the-counter whitening toothpaste will do the trick.

• Know your limitations

While teeth whitening is ideal for brightening those pearly whites, you should know your limits. For instance, teeth whitening may not work for internal stains within the tooth. In such a case, cosmetic dental solutions such as veneers, bonding, and crowns are ideal.

You should also know that teeth whitening won’t work on dental works such as crowns, fillings, and veneers. There’s also a danger of whitening your natural teeth, but your dental work may look dull.

If you have existing problems such as gum disease, you should consider addressing them before teeth whitening. See a dentist for professional advice on the appropriate products and techniques for best results.

It’s worth noting that teeth whitening isn’t safe when done frequently. Most dental experts recommend having teeth whitening at most one-time per year. Frequent teeth whitening treatment can compromise your teeth’ structure and enamel, making you susceptible to cavities and tooth decay.

Final Verdict

When done well, teeth whitening is effective and safe. If you opt for teeth whitening at home, use quality and approved products. Ask your dentist for recommendations and guidelines before using these products. For professional teeth whitening services near you, contact York Dental Group.