Teeth whitening can dramatically brighten your smile and is a procedure that is always in high demand. Regardless of how well you care for your teeth, it’s common to experience some yellowing or discoloration. A teeth whitening procedure can be performed either at home or in our office to restore both your smile and self confidence. We’ve helped many of our Cherry Hill neighbors reclaim their smile and we can help you too.
Teeth Whitening: Problems Solved
Teeth whitening acts to overcome stains and discoloration that commonly occur from everyday life. Among the many factors that negatively affect the color of our teeth are:
Age – Teeth often turn darker due to a change in their mineral structure
Food – Red wine and coffee are just two examples of foods that can stain our teeth
Tobacco – Smoking is among the most popular activities that cause a dingy smile
Medication – Some antibiotic medications can cause teeth stains
Condition – The deterioration of a tooth’s nerve can create discoloration
Understandably, possessing a bright, attractive smile is something that everyone would like, since it can impact the way you are perceived in social and business situations. Having your teeth whitened can not only make your smile more attractive, but also boost your self confidence.
What Is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a common cosmetic dental procedure that acts to overcome the effects of age, substances and medical condition on the color of your teeth. Generally the tooth whitening procedure can be performed at home under our doctors’ supervision or in our Cherry Hill area dental office. The length of treatment can depend on the type of treatment and can vary from one week to several months of home treatments.
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Teeth Bleaching Treatments
Also know as teeth bleaching, teeth whitening can include a number of treatments all of which depend on the type of staining that has occurred to the teeth. Discoloration can occur due to external and internal staining; external is commonly caused by food items and smoking, while internal staining can occurs due to age, taking some medication and an underlying medical condition. Since the staining and condition of everyone’s teeth are different, the results of a teeth whitening procedure can vary. Let’s consider the different teeth bleaching treatments:
Dentist Supervised At-Home Teeth Whitening
Dentist-supervised teeth whitening at-home is among the most popular options. Once an examination has been performed and this method has been determined to be the best choice, a mold of your teeth will be taken to create a comfortable, customized mouth tray to hold a whitening solution. Afterward the tray is taken home where it is filled with a substance that when exposed to water releases a non-toxic bleaching agent. Depending on your preference, this tray can be worn for 2-4 hours per day, or even over night. Whatever your choice, we will work with you to ensure that you get the most benefit out of your tooth whitening treatment.
Laser Teeth Whitening
A faster alternative to in-home teeth whitening is the faster laser teeth whitening that can be performed quickly in some offices. Lasting approximately one hour, laser teeth whitening involves coating the teeth with a paste-like form of carbamide peroxide which is then exposed to light from a laser to bleach the tooth enamel. While it is faster and requires no follow up visits, laser teeth whitening is more expensive and the results may not last as long as other methods.
Can I Whiten My Teeth With OTC Teeth Whiteners?
In addition to medically supervised teeth whitening, there are a number of over-the-counter products that can have varying degrees of success. Normally the three most popular types include:
Whitening Toothpastes
There are a number of whitening toothpastes available today, most of which can help remove surface stains only and generally do not contain bleach. Generally they contain smaller amounts of peroxide or hydrogen peroxide which are used in professional treatments. Whitening toothpastes can lighten your tooth's color by about one shade. In contrast, light-activated whitening conducted in your dentist's office can make your teeth three to eight shades lighter.
Over-the-Counter Whitening Strips and Gels
Whitening strips and gels are available at most pharmacies and are used in a similar fashion. The gels are a peroxide-based material that are applied directly to the teeth using a brush; the strips are virtually invisible bands infused with a material similar to that of whitening gels. Instructions for both product normally require use twice a day for two weeks. While less expensive, results can vary dramatically.
Whitening Rinses
Whitening rinses are among the newest teeth whitening products. Similar to a standard mouthwash, these rinses freshen breath as well as help reduce dental plaque and gum disease all while brightening your smile. Containing a ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide, manufacturers recommend using these products twice daily and state that it may take up to 12 weeks to generate visible results. Although seemingly simple, some experts state that rinses may not be as effective as other over-the-counter whitening products, since the teeth are exposed to the wash for a much shorter period.
You can whiten your teeth with over-the-counter teeth whiteners and many people have experienced good results. However, many products require significant experimentation and consistent use to achieve the desired results. Whether you’re interested in teeth whitening under the supervision of a dentist or you’d like our recommendation for a over-the-counter product you’re welcome to contact us.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?
Although though moderating stain causing elements can extend the brightness of your smile, teeth whitening is not permanent. Daily consumption of food items such as coffee and red wine can cause staining that may dim the results of the whitening process in as little as one month. Understandably, you can prolong the effects of your teeth whitening procedure by avoiding foods and beverages that stain. Furthermore, the overall level of whiteness will vary from individual to individual depending on the condition of the teeth, nature of the stain, the type of bleaching system used, and for how long.
Am I a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
While many people enjoy the effects of a successful teeth whitening procedure, there are some for which it is not recommended:
Children Under the Age of 16 - Teeth whitening could make teeth sensitive.
Pregnant or Lactating Women – The material used could effect on the baby.
People with Sensitive Teeth – The procedure may exacerbate their existing problem.
Existing Dental Conditions – People existing dental conditions that require treatment.
Those With Existing Restorations – Those with existing tooth-colored restorations.
Darkly Stained Teeth – Darkly stained teeth may not respond well to the teeth whitening process. If your teeth are very darkly stained, there may be better lightening options such veneers, bonding or crowns.
Our main purpose is to help you look and feel your best. Obviously, if you fall into one of these groups, schedule an examination so that we can review the best options to brighten your smile.
