Teeth whitening treatments can get you the bright smile that you have always wanted. These treatments can restore your teeth to their original white color or to make them whiter than they have ever been before. There is a wide range of teeth whitening products available today, from over-the-counter products to professional whitening treatments performed by dentists.
Teeth whitening treatments performed by dentists are the most effective way to go about improving the color of your teeth. There is a simple reason that this is the case; Dentists have access to prescription-grade whitening products that are not available to the public.
Thinking about giving professional whitening treatments a try? It can be a beneficial treatment option and more effective than over-the-counter options. Here are a few reasons patients should consider getting it done at a dental clinic.
The active ingredient in most teeth whitening products is hydrogen carbamide or hydrogen peroxide. These bleaching agents seep into the inner layers of teeth and remove stains. They are effective on most types of stains that form on teeth, like those caused by foods, smoking, or aging.
A single teeth whitening session performed by a professional can improve the whiteness of a patient’s teeth by up to eight shades. This single session is enough for many patients to reach the shade of white they desire. However, others might need additional treatments to eliminate all the stains embedded deep in their teeth.
Getting professional teeth whitening by a dentist means the patient gets professional supervision throughout the process. The importance of this cannot be overstated. Teeth whitening products contain abrasive chemicals, so whitening treatments tend to weaken enamel. That is not a major issue when teeth are healthy since it only leads to increased sensitivity. When tooth decay has damaged teeth, however, whitening treatments can permanently damage teeth enamel.
Having a professional to supervise the whitening process also reduces the odds of the bleaching agent irritating or damaging soft tissues in the mouth. Dentists usually do this by providing patients with customized mouth trays that immerse the patient’s teeth in the bleaching solution. The mouth tray helps keep the bleaching agent from getting into soft tissues as well.
Teeth whitening treatments are effective on most types of stains, so it is only a matter of getting the appropriate number of treatments to reach the desired shade of white. Typically, dentists measure the shade of white they should aim for based on the whiteness of the patient's eye. Anything more than a few shades whiter than that typically produces unnatural-looking results. With professional whitening treatments, dentists can create a treatment plan that ensures the patient gets the white set of teeth they desire.
Thinking about transforming the appearance of your smile with teeth whitening treatments? Here are answers to some of the questions you might have:
Teeth whitening treatments are most effective on stains caused by tannins in foods and beverages, aging, and smoking. These are the types of stains most people pick up over the years, so teeth whitening treatments are effective for most people. Patients should expect their teeth to be up to eight shades whiter after a single treatment. Some patients might need multiple treatments to reach their desired shade of white.
It is possible that teeth whitening treatments will not be able to remove stains caused by fluoride overexposure, tooth decay, or antibiotics such as tetracycline. Such stains are typically covered up with restorations like veneers, composite, or crowns.
The results of teeth whitening treatments can last up to three years for patients who take good care of their teeth. It typically comes down to how often the patient’s teeth are exposed to things that can stain them and how good their oral hygiene is.
Some of the things patients can do to make the results of their whitening treatment last longer include:
Ready for a brighter smile? Give us a call or drop by our Downey clinic to learn more about how professional teeth whitening works.
Request an appointment here: https://www.valleyfamilydentalgroup.com or call Valley Family Dental Group at (562) 450-1257 for an appointment in our Downey office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Teeth Whitening in Downey, CA.
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