Teeth Whitening

How does teeth whitening work?

For many people having a brighter and whiter smile is an important goal for their oral health, but there are many methods that they can go about finding a good teeth whitening solution. There are two main options. You can either get your teeth whitened by a dentist or you can whiten your teeth at home.

Both options use a bleaching agent that is generally peroxide-based. At-home options have lower concentrations of about 3% to 10% peroxide while in office systems have about 15 to 43% peroxide.

Generally the longer you keep a stronger solution on your teeth the brighter the results. However, when you have a higher percentage peroxide it must be applied for a short amount of time. The longer the jealous kept on the more the tooth can dehydrate an increased insensitivity.

Should I whiten my teeth at home or the dentist’s office?

Getting your teeth whitened by a dentist will mean faster results. The bleach solution that the dentist will use Wii much stronger than any at-home kit could be. I did a dentist can also use things like heat and light in combination to intensify and speed up the whitening process.

You can expect to see dramatic results with teeth getting a potentially 3-8 Shades brighter. However, this could require several 30 to 60 Minute visits. Some dentists can complete the procedure in a single to our appointment depending on what technology is available in their office.

For an at-home option, you can use tooth whitening strips, gels, and toothpaste. Each one of these options offers a different convenient way for you to bleach your teeth. However, you should be careful is incorrectly using the home kids can leave too burned or temporary bleached gums.

You can also consider if you want to incorporate something like a tray-based tooth bleaching system which potentially ranges between $150 to $600 to get a custom-fitted one. These traits are filled with a bleaching gel and then they are placed over the teeth for several hours a day and must be used for up to 4 weeks. The issue with these is that you need to make sure you have the time and willpower to commit to faithful using the trays the treatment to be successful. 

What is the cost of teeth whitening?

The cost of teeth whitening can vary but it generally ranges from $500 to $1,000. While this may seem like a big chunk of cash especially when compared to at Home Solutions which can often be as cheap as a tube of whitening toothpaste the effect is much stronger and the results last much longer.

At-home kits often are much cheaper and can range from a three to $5 tube of tooth whitening toothpaste to $10 to $55 for tooth whitening strips and gels. Remember that these require a much longer commitment of many weeks to see a result and that result is often weaker than an in-office treatment would be.

You may even be able to get some more part of the treatment covered by your insurance so be sure to check with your insurance company. You may be able to get it covered if there is some sort of discoloration due to a dead nerve or due to tooth trauma infection or illness. This kind of discoloration is likely going to need professional help to make it white again.

Is teeth whitening a permanent solution? 

Teeth whitening can last for a very long time but it is not a permanent solution. There are things so that you can do to maintain the results. The number one thing is to keep good oral health by brushing flossing and rinsing daily which will help maintain your bright and white smile. Avoid acidic and tannin-rich foods and drinks like coffee, tea, red and white wine, sports drinks, carbonated beverages, and other highly acidic foods.

Many teeth whitening procedures last from a few months to up to three years although this number varies from person to person. By avoiding the about foods and by maintaining good oral health you can be sure that your teeth are kept nice and white for as long as possible 

 How safe are teeth whitening treatments? 

There are many different options when it comes to how to whiten your teeth and they can all be done safely. If you’re especially concerned about getting your teeth whitened or preventing things like gum burns been a professional in-office treatment is going to be the best option for you.

You’d be able to have an experienced dentist or dental technician apply the Whitening Gel and do not worry about any harm.

There are some side effects to consider. Bleaching the teeth will often make them more sensitive. This can occur during the first or second treatment although it should diminish over time. 

If this is an issue your dentist can prescribe treating sensitivity with products that contain potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride gel. You may also experience getting irritated gums, a condition that is sometimes called gingival irritation. This can happen because your gums came into contact with the peroxide-based whitening gel. The side effects should go away after your treatments.

Remember that your teeth can’t be whitened permanently. Any teeth whitening process will be a temporary thing. You’ll need to seek new teeth whitening treatments at regular intervals to keep your smile bright and white. You also want to ask your dentist about what to do if you have implants, crowns, bridges, or dentures.

If you are ready for your new bright and white smile then call Upland Dental Group & Implant Center in Upland, CA at (909) 985-1966 to schedule your consultation today.