Age, medicine, illness, habits, and food and beverage can contribute to teeth staining and discolouration. But there is a solution! Teeth whitening is a quick and easy treatment to improve the appearance of your smile. This can effectively remove stains and brighten your smile in the most comfortable way.
If you want to amp up your smile, lighten any dullness, and give yourself that boost of confidence with a beautifully radiant glow, teeth whitening may be what you need. Read more about this treatment with our teeth whitening 101 guide below.
Understanding Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is the process of removing stains and discolouration from the surface of teeth to make them appear whiter and brighter. It uses safe concentrations of bleaching gel that penetrate the tooth for an effective and long-lasting treatment.
There are many ways in which you can whiten your teeth. There are over-the-counter products such as whitening gels, toothpaste, and strips, at-home whitening kits, and professional in-office whitening treatments by a licensed dentist.
But how do you know which will work for you?
Generally, in-office professional whiteners are the most effective. The treatment is done by your dentist using whitening solutions with concentrated bleaching ingredients. Then, a LED light is used to enhance and accelerate the whitening effect. This helps you achieve the best results safely and quickly.
Readily available teeth whitening products do help to some extent. They are often recommended by dentists as maintenance to keep your teeth white after you get professional teeth whitening done. But, most of the time, you cannot expect great results with over-the-counter whiteners.
Types of Teeth Staining
Teeth whitening is an expert solution to teeth staining. However, not all stains can be removed by teeth whitening.
- Extrinsic staining is the most common type of teeth staining. It involves staining, discolouration, or dullness on the surface of the tooth. It may occur due to poor habits such as smoking and poor oral hygiene. Nicotine and tartar can get stuck on the tooth surface to discolour the tooth.
Food and drinks such as tea, red wine, coffee, soy sauce, turmeric and curry, colas, fruit juices, and tomato-based sauces, among others, also contribute to extrinsic staining.
This type of staining is best addressed with in-office teeth whitening.
- Intrinsic staining occurs within the tooth and can result in discolourations that can make the tooth look gray, blue, or even black. It is often caused by medications such as antibiotics, illnesses that expose the inner layer of the teeth, and dental trauma.
When it comes to intrinsic staining, careful evaluation must be done to determine if teeth whitening is the best solution to improve your smile. Otherwise, our team will discuss better options for your case.
Professional Teeth Whitening Services
Professional teeth whitening can be done in two ways:
- In-Office Laser Teeth Whitening
Quick, easy, safe, and extremely effective. Laser teeth whitening done at your dentist’s office offers the best solution for stains and discolourations.
The process starts with teeth cleaning to remove food particles, debris, and bacteria and ensure that your teeth can be as white as possible. Then, a barrier is placed over your lips and gums to prevent soft tissue damage.
Once all preparations are completed, your dentist will carefully apply the whitening gel over your teeth. A chairside LED light is used to activate and accelerate the whitening process. Your dentist will do this over a series of cycles until your smile looks beautifully bright.
The best part about in-office whitening is that it offers up to 6 shades of whiter smile in just under an hour. So, after your treatment, you can go about your day with an extra radiant smile.
- At-Home Whitening Kits
For teeth whitening done in the comfort of your home, you may consider take-home whitening trays. Each whitening kit contains customized whitening trays that fit snugly on your teeth and a bleaching gel containing ingredients such as peroxides.
To use your whitening tray, simply put the solution in the whitening tray. Then, fit the tray in your mouth. Leave it on for 4 hours a day for 1 – 2 weeks or as prescribed by your dentist. Over time, you will notice a significant lightening of your teeth.
This treatment may be preferred over laser teeth whitening due to comfort and convenience. Because the trays are custom-made for you, you can expect little to no discomfort on your gums. It is also a gradual process, so you can control just how white you want your teeth to be.
If you want even brighter results, you can top up your whitening agent at your dentist and continue the process until you achieve your desired smile.
Another option to consider is to get laser teeth whitening done first, then maintain your smile with at-home whitening kits for long-term results. Discuss your smile goals with our dentist so they can assist you with your treatment options.
Teeth Whitening Aftercare
The effects of teeth whitening do not last forever. At most, you can expect laser teeth whitening to keep your smile white and bright for a year or two with good care and maintenance. Some tips that can lengthen the effects of the whitening treatment are:
- Maintain good oral hygiene.
- Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride-rich or whitening toothpaste.
- Avoid consuming staining foods and beverages.
- Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco.
- Use interdental brushes, floss, or water flossers to clean between your teeth.
- Schedule regular dental hygiene appointments.
Conclusion
Teeth whitening is a relatively quick and affordable way to take your smile up a notch. Whether you have a big celebration coming up or if you just want to feel extra confident with a brighter smile, teeth whitening can help with that.
If you have any smile problems, contact our team today and let us help you find out if teeth whitening is the treatment you need. With many treatment options for cosmetic smile improvement, our team is committed to helping you achieve your dream smile.
Why Choose Midpark Dental?
EVENING APPOINTMENTS
We understand that you are busy and don’t always have time to visit a dentist for a routine checkup in the middle of your Monday. That’s why we offer extended hours Monday and Tuesday for your convenience.
DIRECT BILLING TO INSURANCE PLANS
To support our clients, we offer direct billing, predeterminations of treatments, and financial arrangements to all our patients to ensure smooth and easy payment transactions.
PAYMENT PLANS & FINANCING AVAILABLE
We understand that dental services can be an unexpected expense. That’s why we offer flexible payment plans and options to suit our patients’ needs. Speak with one of our dental assistants to learn more.
FREE PARKING
At Midpark Dental, you will never struggle to find parking. Our clinics offer convenient parking options that are free of charge to our patients. It’s one more way we work to put a smile on your face.