Teeth Whitening
Everybody loves a bright white smile, and there are a variety of products and procedures available to help you improve the look of yours.
Many people are satisfied with the sparkle they get from brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, flossing once a day, and regular cleanings at the dentist's office. However, if you decide you would like to go beyond regular care to make your smile look brighter, you should investigate all of your options.
Finding the Best Treatment for You
Schedule a visit with your dentist to learn whether whitening procedures would be effective for you. Whiteners do not correct all types of discoloration. For example, yellowish teeth will probably bleach well, brownish teeth may bleach less well, and grayish teeth may not bleach well at all. Likewise, whitening may not enhance your smile if you have had tooth-colored fillings or crowns. The whitener will not affect the color of these materials and they will stand out in your newly whitened smile. In these cases, you do have other options, such as porcelain veneers.
Tooth Whitening Treatments
- Professional teeth whitening with your doctor
- At-home whitening system
- Whitening toothpaste
When selecting a whitener or any dental product, be sure to look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance – your assurance that a product has met ADA standards of safety and effectiveness.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening by your doctor is your best choice when you need immediate whitening results. This procedure is called in-office whitening and in most cases requires only one office visit of 60-90 minutes.
During in-office whitening, the dental staff will apply either a protective gel to your gums or a rubber shield to protect the oral soft tissues. A whitening agent is then applied to the teeth in short sessions. The whitening agent is removed and re-applied several times to achieve the maximum effect.
At-Home Whitening System
There are several types of products available for use at home which can either be dispensed by your doctor or purchased over the counter. They are generally teeth whitening trays (mouthguards), strips, or paint-on products..
Teeth Whitening Trays
These products contain peroxide(s) which actually bleach the tooth enamel. Carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are the most common whitening agents and come in several different concentrations. Peroxide-containing whiteners typically come in a gel and are placed in plastic trays. Some products are used during the day for short durations and some products are intended to wear overnight. In our office, we offer custom fitted trays that are made just for your teeth and are to be filled with the whitening gel. Depending on the brand and strength of whitening gel, we will give you specific usage instructions.
Teeth Whitening Strips
Teeth whitening strips are thin, flexible plastic (polyethylene) strips with a thin film of hydrogen peroxide bleaching on one side. Whitening strip kits come with two types of strips: strips for the upper teeth and strips for the lower teeth. The bleaching agent is applied by placing the strips across your teeth and gently pressing the strips into place to insure contact with all your teeth. Teeth whitening strips are typically worn for 30 minutes a day, twice a day. The duration of treatment will vary. These strips are typically available over the counter, such as from a drugstore, and often are less costly than professional products. The strips that are sold over the counter contain lower concentrations of whitening agents and don't always work as effectively or as quickly because they are not custom fitted to the anatomy of your teeth. However, we do have a professional strength version of these strips available that is a less expensive and relatively effective option for whitening.
Paint-On Teeth Whitening
Paint-on teeth whitening allows you to apply a bleaching agent directly to your teeth without an appliance or strip. You simply "paint" the whitener onto the surface of clean, dry teeth and wait about 30 minutes while the paint turns to a dry film. To remove this film, you simply brush your teeth with a toothbrush. Paint-on whitening products require twice-daily applications to be effective. The duration of treatment will vary. We do not recommend these products as some of them are acidic and can etch the tooth enamel.
Whitening Toothpaste
All toothpastes help remove surface stain from your teeth through the action of mild abrasives. "Whitening" toothpastes have special chemical or polishing agents that provide additional stain removal effectiveness. Unlike bleaches, these products do not alter the intrinsic color of teeth, therefore the whitening effect is typically very minimal. Since the abrasive agents can be damaging to tooth enamel over time, we do not recommend the use of whitening toothpastes.
