All About Teeth Whitening!
Teeth whitening has been proven to be safe and effective. Many products have been shown to have no adverse effects on teeth or gums in substantial clinical and laboratory testing.
Teeth whitening is a procedure that can be performed at home or in-office. In-office teeth whitening can produce a major color change in teeth in a short amount of time. This procedure can take up to an hour by your dentist, who applies a high-concentration peroxide gel on the teeth. At-home whitening kits are a long process, which uses lower concentrated peroxide gel. At-home whitening kits consist of trays that are worn for a couple of hours or overnight, depending on the type of kit used. It’s important to look for clinically proven products, follow directions and consult with your dental professional. Talk to your dentist to figure out which option is best suited for you.
With teeth whitening, sensitivity can occur and there are a few steps to help prevent it from happening. If you’re whitening your teeth with a tray applicator, you should wear the tray for a shorter amount of time. Brush with a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth that contain potassium nitrate to help soothe tooth nerve ending. Stop whitening your teeth for several days and within 24 hours, the sensitivity will cease. This allows your teeth to adapt to the whitening process. The longer you whiten your teeth, the less sensitivity you will experience
Ask your dentist to provide you with a product containing fluoride, which will help remineralize your teeth. Brush-on or wear in your trays four minutes before and after whitening your teeth
The American Dental Association recommends seeing your dentist before whitening your teeth because you may not be suitable for it if you have gum disease, teeth with worn enamel, cavities or particularly sensitive teeth. In addition to having tooth-colored crowns, caps, being pregnant, or breast-feeding.
If your dentist doesn’t recommend that you don’t whiten your teeth using at home kits or in-office, there are other alternative options you can look into to get your desired smile. Options including bonding or veneers.
If you have received whitening treatment, there are some things to keep in mind to avoid tooth discoloration. Smoking tobacco can cause tooth discoloration, so it's important to avoid it to keep your teeth white. Use a straw when drinking beverages, especially drinks such as coffee and tea to keep stain-causing dyes away from your teeth.
