Help Your Teeth Shine Bright With Teeth Whitening Options

Teeth whitening procedures are an effective way to address discolored teeth. If you enjoy a daily cup of coffee or an occasional glass of red wine, then your teeth may begin to have stains or discoloration after continued consumption. These stains do not go away even if you brush your teeth thoroughly. Thus, many people find that these types of stains can make them feel self-conscious and prevent them from smiling more often.

Fortunately, this issue can be easily fixed as there are a number of teeth whitening options at your disposal. Whether you have a job interview in the near future, a wedding, or an upcoming event at work, your smile can set you apart from everyone in a good or bad way.

Here are a few options you have to deal with discolored teeth.

1. In-office bleaching

In-office bleaching is complete by a professional dentist in an office and is one of the most effective ways of bleaching teeth. The dentist starts by examining the patient's teeth to determine the extent of the discoloration and whether the staining is extrinsic or intrinsic. The dentist might choose to use a whitening gel or light-accelerated bleaching solution to whiten the teeth.

When using a whitening gel, the dentist applies a protective layer over the papilla and gums to prevent chemical burns to these soft tissues. He then applies the bleaching agent to the discolored teeth. The bleaching agent is more powerful than over-the-counter options that can begin to whiten the teeth in just one hour.

With light-accelerated treatments or laser bleaching, light energy is used to accelerate the results of the teeth-whitening process. The energy in the laser helps excite the peroxide molecules, leading to dramatically whiter teeth in about 15 minutes.

2. At-home bleaching

At-home bleaching methods often use gels, whitening strips, rinses, toothpaste, and paint-on films to remove stains from your teeth. These products usually contain either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide in different concentrations. However, it takes longer to whiten your teeth with these options, and the results are not as dramatic as in-office treatments.

Since at-home bleaching options do not have professional supervision, they have certain disadvantages. For starters, people have different dental issues, so the one-size-fits-all treatments do not work for everyone. Some may experience excellent results after a short while, but others may not see any change. This is especially the case if the cause of the staining is intrinsic, such as tooth decay or certain diseases.

At-home bleaching also comes with its own risks. For example, people may purchase trays or strips that do not fit properly. This may cause some of the bleaching chemicals or gels to leak into the gums and mouth, causing sensitivity or blistering.

Toothpaste and rinses usually have about one to two percent of hydrogen peroxide. Others have polishing or chemical agents that provide additional stain removal. This percentage is enough to remove surface stains, but it cannot get rid of deep blemishes. Rinses and toothpaste are great for keeping your teeth white after professional dentist treatments.

Wrapping up

If your teeth do not sparkle as much as they used to, teeth whitening can help give you back your bright smile. While over-the-counter options are cheaper, it is always better to visit a dentist to ensure better results while reducing the risk of damaged gums or extreme sensitivity. Call us at (718) 841-9591 for more information from Metro Smiles Dental or to schedule an appointment in our dentist office in Forest Hills.