Professional Teeth Whitening: In-Office Treatments

Professional teeth whitening refers to treatments administered by a dentist in a clinical setting. These in-office procedures typically offer the fastest and most noticeable results due to the high concentration of whitening agents used. They’re also considered one of the safest and most effective ways to whiten teeth [1].

In-office whitening also gives patients greater control over the shade of white they choose for their smile, and a dramatic difference can be seen in just a single appointment, which typically takes about 60-90 minutes. With in-office whitening, you go home that same day with a brighter smile!

Professional Alternative: Take-Home Kits

Many dentists also provide custom take-home whitening kits as an option for patients. These kits include custom-made trays and professional-grade bleaching gel. With professional take-home kits from your dentist, you can use less product and have fewer whitening sessions to achieve your desired shade of white in the comfort of your home [2]. 

Custom trays can be less expensive than in-office treatments while still offering reliable results for a more dramatic difference and a safer alternative to over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments. However, they often take more time to work than a single in-office whitening procedure.

Retail Brand Teeth Whitening Options: OTC Kits

Over-the-counter teeth whitening products are widely available in stores and online. These include whitening strips, toothpaste, gels, and trays:

• Whitening strips and gels. Strips are coated with a peroxide-based whitening gel, while gels usually come with a brush applicator to apply directly to the teeth.

• Whitening toothpaste. Contains mild abrasives that help remove surface stains, but usually don’t change the color of teeth dramatically.

• Whitening trays. OTC whitening trays tend to be one-size-fits-all, meaning they can cause uneven whitening and gum irritation if not used correctly.

While convenient and less expensive, retail teeth whitening options have lower levels of whitening agents, which result in less dramatic changes than professional teeth whitening [3]. They can take weeks or months to show any improvement, which is less than ideal when you have an event coming up that you want a brighter smile for.

Ask Your Dentist About Your Teeth Whitening Options

The best way to pursue a brighter smile is to schedule a consultation with your dentist. They can assess the condition of your teeth, identify the cause of discoloration, and recommend the best approach to achieve your desired shade of white. Contact your dentist today to discuss your whitening options and get one step closer to your perfect smile!

Sources:

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4058574/
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10873745/
3. https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/whitening

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Teeth naturally stain over time, leading to a dull or discolored smile that can impact your appearance and self-confidence. But with so many over-the-counter teeth whitening products available, it’s hard to decide if you should try a retail product or invest in a professional whitening at your dentist’s office.

While retail products may seem convenient and cost-effective, there are several compelling reasons why professional teeth whitening stands out as the superior choice.

Dentists Use Stronger, More Effective Formulas

Dentists use prescription-strength hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide formulas that are significantly stronger than those found in retail products.

These formulas are professional-grade and provide more effective stain removal and faster results. While retail products might take weeks to show noticeable changes, professional treatments can often achieve significant whitening in just one session.

Customization for Your Individual Needs

Every smile is unique, and so are the factors contributing to tooth discoloration. Professional whitening services allow for a personalized approach, meaning you can customize your shade of white and remove deep stains with professional whitening [1].

Dentists evaluate the specific condition of your teeth and determine the best whitening method tailored to your needs, taking into account existing dental work, sensitivity issues, and desired outcomes.

On the other hand, retail products offer a one-size-fits-all approach, which can’t effectively address individual leads and can even harm your smile.

Safer Procedures

Although teeth whitening is considered safe and effective, professional teeth whitening is safer than DIY methods [2].

Dentists are trained to manage potential complications and take necessary precautions to protect the gums and enamel from irritation or damage, which can be a common side effect of over-the-counter products.

There’s also the potential for people to misuse retail whitening products, which can lead to uneven whitening, gum damage, and increased tooth sensitivity, ultimately impacting their results and satisfaction.

Immediate Results

Professional whitening procedures deliver immediate results that brighten your smile in as little as one hour [3]. This is especially beneficial for important events such as weddings, job interviews, or photo shoots, where people want to look their best.

On the other hand, people who use retail whitening products may have to wait weeks to see any effect on their smile, which can be frustrating and discouraging. Whitening products can also unevenly whiten the teeth, causing a less-than-perfect smile that can impact your appearance and self-confidence.

Longer-Lasting Effects

While retail whitening methods can provide temporary improvement, professional whitening often results in longer-lasting effects. The potent formulas dental professionals use to whiten teeth penetrate deeper to remove stubborn stains.

Dentists can also provide post-treatment care tips and products that help maintain your results for longer, ensuring that your investment pays off in the long run.

Ask Your Dentist About Professional Teeth Whitening

Retail products simply can’t match professional teeth whitening when it comes to safety, effectiveness, and results. Investing in a brighter smile is best done with a dental professional, so ask your dentist about professional teeth whitening and how it can enhance your smile today!

Sources:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4058574/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6938424/
3. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/teeth-whitening   

The post Why Professional Teeth Whitening Is a Better Option Than Retail Whitening Products appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

What can be done about these white spots on the teeth? Read on to find out who’s at risk as well as what treatments are available for dental fluorosis.

Who Is at Risk for Dental Fluorosis?

Dental fluorosis can only happen in childhood, typically, age eight or younger [2]. This is because the permanent teeth are still developing underneath the gums at this age, and once the teeth come through the gum tissue, you can no longer get dental fluorosis. Unfortunately, once the permanent teeth come in and have white spots as the result of dental fluorosis, the condition can’t be reversed.

The White Spots Generally Aren’t Harmful to Your Teeth

Fortunately, dental fluorosis isn’t normally harmful to the teeth. However, it can result in a chalky white appearance on teeth that’s uneven in nature.

For some patients with dental fluorosis, the appearance of the white spots or streaks is subtle. In other cases, it can be a bit more obvious. In cases such as these, it makes sense that you would want to seek treatment to reduce the appearance of fluorosis on your teeth.

What Treatments Are Available?

Any treatment done for dental fluorosis is usually done out of cosmetic concerns, as it typically doesn’t affect your oral health in a negative way. However, for patients that want to improve the appearance of teeth affected by dental fluorosis, there are treatments available.

For some patients, a professional teeth whitening can help reduce the appearance of the white spots. If the fluorosis is a bit more apparent, your dentist may suggest a technique called microabrasion, in which a tiny amount of tooth enamel is removed to provide the patient with a more uniform appearance to their teeth [3].

In other patients still, total makeover options for their smile such as dental veneers may be the only way to completely absolve the appearance of dental fluorosis. Your dentist can let you know what treatments are available to you based on your preferences and the condition of your smile.

If you have white spots on your teeth and are self-conscious about your appearance, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with your dentist. Your oral healthcare professional can conduct an exam and discuss your concerns with you before reviewing your options for reducing the appearance of your fluorosis!

Sources:
1. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/f/fluorosis
2. https://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/faqs/dental_fluorosis/index.htm
3. https://www.journal-imab-bg.org/statii-08/vol08_2_71-74str.pdf

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Whether you’ve just gotten a professional teeth whitening or want to maintain the current shade of your smile, here are our top tips to keep your teeth white and bright!

Watch Out for Certain Foods and Drinks

Foods and drinks are the main cause of tooth staining. While teeth can be stained by other things—such as exposure to the antibiotic tetracycline in utero or before age 8, or the need for a root canal—foods and drinks are most common culprits when it comes to staining teeth.

Wine and coffee are the biggest offenders of teeth staining, especially if you’ve just gotten a professional teeth whitening [1]. However, tea, pasta sauce, turmeric, and even berries all have the potential to stain teeth, especially when consumed frequently or over a period of time!

Keep Up with Your Oral Care

While it would be difficult to avoid every single food that has the potential to stain your teeth, fortunately, regular brushing can help remove stains on a daily basis.

Some stains will be too set in to remove with at-home brushing, and may require a professional teeth whitening with your dentist to remove. However, most other stains, especially those accumulated daily, can be removed with regular brushing.

Be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day and wait a minimum of 30 minutes after eating to brush—this will help protect your tooth enamel from damage. In fact, the American Dental Association recommends waiting 60 minutes after eating to brush your teeth [2].

Other Helpful Tips

There a few other tips that can help keep your smile looking as white as possible for as long as possible:

• See your dentist. Those regular professional cleanings can help remove deeper stains
  and keep your smile looking bright even without a professional whitening!
• Consider using a straw. A straw can help liquids such as coffee bypass the teeth and
  limit the staining impact they can have on your smile.
• Drink water. Water can help neutralize the acids that can attack tooth enamel and
  potentially lead to tooth decay and tooth discoloration [3].

Are you worried that your teeth aren’t as white as they used to be? You can help keep your smile bright and white with these tips, but don’t overlook the importance of visiting your dentist as well. He or she can conduct a professional cleaning to keep your smile stain-free and healthy!

Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23421870
2. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/brushing-mistakes-slideshow
3. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/nutrition/food-tips/water-best-beverage

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People choose to professionally whiten their teeth when their teeth have accrued stains over time that a regular cleaning at the dentist office or home care habits won’t remove. Some patients may have tried take-home teeth whitening kits with mediocre results.

If you’re considering a teeth whitening procedure or have just gotten one done, you may be wondering just how long a professional teeth whitening lasts. Here’s what you should know when professionally whitening your smile!

How Long You Can Expect a Professional Whitening to Last

You can expect a professional teeth whitening to last for about two years up to ten years. It’s important to remember that the results will vary from person to person.

For example, people who neglect to take care of their teeth and consume heavy-staining foods and drinks can see their professional whitening fade in as little as a few weeks [1]. However, people who take care of their smiles can see their results last for years.

Lifestyle Habits That Can Prematurely Stain Your Smile

People who drink coffee, wine, or tea are more at risk to see their dazzling smile become dull and stained faster than those who don’t [2]. Foods that can stain your newly white smile can include tomatoes, berries, soy sauce, and potent spices such as turmeric.

In addition, people who smoke will see their white teeth rapidly deteriorate compared to those who don’t smoke or use tobacco products.

People who don’t visit their dentist will also see their smile prematurely stain. Your dentist
removes surface stains during your teeth cleaning to keep your smile white. When you neglect to visit the dentist, even the best home care habits can’t keep a smile white forever.

What Can You Do to Extend the Life of Your Bright Smile?

Just because you’ve gotten a professional teeth whitening doesn’t mean your teeth are now immune to stains. In fact, it’s more important to protect your smile now than before your whitening procedure to prolong the results!

Of course, avoiding all the foods and drinks that can stain your teeth is often out of the
question. So what can you do to prolong your professional teeth whitening?

First, visit your dentist for regular cleanings at least once a year but preferably every six months [3]. Your dentist will remove stains and can make touch-ups to keep your smile white over time. You can also drink water while consuming teeth-staining foods and drinks.

For example, when sipping a glass of wine, sip water too. When enjoying pasta with sauce, drink water with your meal. This will not only keep you hydrated—which is important for your smile also—but will help minimize tooth staining.

Although a professional teeth whitening doesn’t last forever, it can last a very long time with the right care. Ask your dentist how you can better care for your teeth after a whitening procedure and if whitening your teeth can help remove stains for a brighter you!

Sources:
1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/teeth-whitening/faqs
2. https://www.ada.org/sitecore/content/home-mouthhealthy/nutrition/food-tips/9-foods-that-damage-your-teeth
3. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/dental-care-concerns/questions-about-going-to-
the-dentist

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Having a brighter smile can give you confidence in your personal life, in your professional life,
and even encourage you to have a healthier smile. Here’s how a whiter smile can actually
change your relationships.

People Notice Your Smile First

When asked what they notice first about a person, people will usually say it’s their smile.
People are naturally drawn to teeth that appear whiter and more even in color. You can make
the best first impression with a professional teeth whitening—no one will forget you with such
a dazzling smile.

A white smile can also make you appear younger, healthier, and more attractive. People
associate yellow or stained teeth with age. With a brighter smile, you can look years younger
and wow your friends, family, or a potential date with your pearly whites!

Boost Your Confidence at Work

Work can be stressful, especially when you’re in a position where you need to constantly show
your worth to clients, colleagues, and management. When you need to make the right
impression every day, having a bright smile can help eliminate your worries about appearing
unprofessional or unkempt in appearance.

With a professional teeth whitening, you can allow yourself to have unwavering focus on your
job knowing that your smile is wowing your audience. Stay focused on your presentation, your
meeting, or a promotion with a beautiful white smile to match your already great appearance!

Have More Reasons to Smile

With white teeth, you have even more reasons to smile. Smiling not only boosts endorphins
and therefore your mood, but it also makes you appear more attractive and draws people to
you. People are also more likely to smile back at you with a white smile. Radiating this type of
positive energy can help you attract the right kind of people in your life!

You’ll also be more motivated to take care of your smile with a professional whitening. Since
tooth enamel is porous, your enamel will be subject to future staining. This makes keeping up
with regular dental cleanings and your brushing and flossing routine even more important, as
it’ll help prolong your professional teeth whitening.

If you’ve been considering a professional teeth whitening, there’s no better time than now to
set up a consultation with your dentist. Although regular brushing can remove surface stains,
deeper stains that have accumulated over time usually need to be removed professionally. Your
dentist can help you to have your best smile with a whitening treatment!

The post How a Bright Smile Can Change Your Relationships appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Coffee is one of the leading drinks that can stain the teeth, especially when you drink it black. One of the ways that you can help decrease the staining is to add a small amount of milk. This will also give you a dose of Vitamin D for the day which can help keep the teeth strong. Tea is another culprit because of the tannins in the beverage. If you must have that ice cold glass, then consider teas that are lighter in color such as green tea. Avoid those that are dark because these have more tannins.

Wine can be healthy for the body such as the heart, but it can also stain the teeth. White wine is a good option instead of red if you want to drink a glass with an evening meal or for a special event.  After you drink a glass of red wine, give those around you a smile to see if they notice that pink hue on your pearly whites. However, red wine can help reduce inflammation that causes gum disease.

Dark sodas are notorious for staining the teeth and giving that yellow color. When you drink a soda, you probably drink it cold. The cold will make the teeth porous, allowing more of the color to absorb in the teeth. The acids in the sodas will also eat away at the enamel. If you don’t brush your teeth frequently after drinking sodas, then the acids can promote decay of the teeth. Kool-Aid and other sugary drinks that children might find fun to drink can stain the teeth as well.

While you might think that you have to stop drinking your favorite beverages, you can rest assured that a dentist can help. If you notice the color on your teeth is not going away after brushing, and over the counter teeth whitening kits aren’t delivering on their promises, then ask your dentist about professional teeth whitening. This is a whitening process that can give you that gorgeous smile again with minimal treatment.

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