Information on Different Teeth Whitening Products

When you smile, you express a lot about yourself. When you are nervous about the way your smile looks, though, it can be difficult to communicate exactly how you feel. This can lead to people thinking you are closed off, shy or even unhappy. In order to boost the appearance of your smile, you may want to consider different inexpensive cosmetic options—such as teeth whitening.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that can either be performed at home, or at a dental office. There are some over-the-counter options at the store that can provide good results. For more significant whitening, though, you should speak with your dentist.

Types of Whitening Products

There are a variety of different whitening products—some of which are better for your particular needs than others. Below are a few different whitening options, and when they are a good option:

Gum

Teeth whitening gum is good for the prevention of stains on your teeth, and can be used to encourage a whiter smile. This is done by removing debris from food, and providing a protective coating on the teeth to help discourage stains. Most patients do not see a difference with these products.

Rinses and Toothpaste

There are a variety of different teeth whitening toothpastes and rinses that are available which can provide mixed results. They won’t provide the same results as a bleaching solution, but you can sometimes see a reasonable difference using these toothpastes and rinses. These rinses and toothpastes also help to maintain your oral health, and fight bad breath. However they contain more abrasive particles which over time can harm the enamel on your teeth.

Professional Whitening

The best option for an in-depth teeth whitening procedure is a professional whitening provided by a dentist. They will help you to achieve the whitest teeth possible, while also maintaining the structural integrity of your teeth.

Your dentist will first take a look at your teeth, and determine whether or not the enamel can support a teeth whitening procedure. If they decide to go ahead with the whitening, they may provide you with either an at-home whitening kit or an in-office service. The in-office option will be a little more expensive, but the results will be same-day. Actually, the procedure takes less than a few hours!

At-home whitening still provides amazing results, but it can take a couple of weeks to see the same level of results.

Strips

A lot of people decide to purchase over-the-counter whitening strips, and this can be extremely risky. What many people don’t understand is that over-the-counter strips contain a powerful bleaching agent with if it gets on the gums can cause sensitivity but also if you have thin or weak enamel, it can make your teeth extremely sensitive and painful. That’s why it’s important to visit your dentist to see if you are a candidate for teeth whitening—even if you are planning on purchasing an over-the-counter whitening solution.

Speak with Your Dentist

If you would like whiter, brighter teeth, speak with your dentist about what teeth whitening options are available to you. They will take a look at your teeth, and will help you decide on a plan that will ensure a healthy, bright smile.

Baer Dental Designs in Lone Tree, CO is your choice for general and cosmetic dentistry. If you're interested in professional teeth whitening, contact us today.

If you're interested in reading more about teeth whitening, here's some information on home whitening vs in office whitening.