Fix Stained Teeth
The foods and beverages we consume every day can cause our teeth to stain and become dull and yellow over time. Tobacco products and even certain medications can also cause staining, fortunately there are a number of ways to brighten your smile and bring it back to a youthful shine!
Whitening your teeth is one of the most cost-effective and quick ways to brighten your smile. There are quite a few options available today for a teeth whitening but before you begin any treatment, it is important to discuss your options with your dentist. Not everyone is a candidate for whitening. Patients with tetracycline stains will not see results with over-the-counter whitening kits but there are internal whitening systems available for patients with this type of staining.
Most dental offices offer some type of professional whitening, both in-office and at-home. There is also a large market of over-the-counter whitening kits available in most drugstores.
Before any whitening treatment, it is ideal to have your teeth professionally cleaned to remove surface stains and plaque buildup that will only get in the way of the whitening solution. A pre-whitening cleaning will help ensure that you achieve the best results possible!
In-office Whitening Treatment
Having your teeth professionally whitened at your dental office is the quickest way to achieve your desired results. In-office whitening is more expensive but the time benefit may outweigh the cost for some. In-office whitening can cost between $300 and $1000, depending on your type of staining and the system used.
The most commonly known in office whitening treatment is Zoom! laser whitening. A protective gel is applied to the gum tissue to protect it from the laser and the whitening gel is applied to each tooth individually. The laser is then situated onto the teeth to activate the whitening treatment. Laser whitening treatment typically takes about an hour and a half and results are immediately visible and only improve over the next day or two.
At-home Whitening Treatment
Whitening your teeth at home at your own pace has become very popular. It is more cost effective than in-office treatments but does take a much longer time to achieve the same results. At-home whitening costs between $10 and $60, depending on the method you choose. Whitening products available include toothpaste, mouthwash, and whitening kits. There are even chewing gums available with whitening properties.
Whitening kits come in the form of whitening strips or whitening trays. Both have a pre-applied whitening gel solution that is held in place by either a thin plastic strip or a plastic try that covers the whole tooth surface. Strips and trays are worn for 30 minutes to an hour Per day for up to 14 days, or until desired results are achieved.
After Whitening
Mild sensitivity is common after any whitening treatment. Some patients even experience “zingers”, sharp pains that last less than a second. Zingers usually only last about a day and any lingering sensitivity should resolve within 2 to 3 days.
Regardless of what whitening treatment you choose, it is advisable to avoid any foods and beverages that can cause staining for 48-72 hours. If it can stain a white T-shirt, it’ll stain your teeth. This limitation can be a little daunting for patients who choose an at-home route as color rich foods and beverages will need to be avoided for the duration of treatment then 48-72 hours after you are done.
After your whitening treatment, you can help keep your smile white and bright for as long as possible by incorporating oral care products that contain baking soda or peroxide. These will help remove stains on a daily basis and keep you smiling!