Are you thinking about brightening your smile?
Are you confused, overwhelmed or simply curious about the various options?
We will break down the most common whitening options for you so you can make the best decision for your smile.
Your two basic choices are in-office-based teeth bleaching or at-home care.
No matter which option you choose, you should ALWAYS seek your dentist’s opinion and have your regular check-up and cleaning prior to starting a whitening program. It is also important to note that dark stains, crowns, tooth-colored fillings (composites) DO NOT BLEACH and therefore may stand out if you whiten your natural enamel. You may want to replace any crowns or fillings after your bleaching is complete in order to better match your new shade. Keep in mind, if you decide to bleach prior to the placement of necessary fillings or crowns, you will need to maintain bleaching long term, as your enamel will stain over time but porcelain will not.
In-Office Tooth Whitening
Teeth whitening done by your dentist can get teeth brighter faster. The bleaching solution is usually much stronger than at-home kits. Also, heat, light, or a combination of the two may be used to speed and intensify the whitening process.
The most dramatic results -- teeth generally get three to eight shades brighter -- usually take several 30- to 60-minute in-office visits.(e.g. the Zoom system).
At-Home Teeth Bleaching Options
There are many choices for bleaching teeth at home, the 2 most common and effective include:
• Tooth whitening strips and gels. Applied directly to the teeth with a brush or a thin strip, these peroxide-based tooth bleaching products usually need to be applied once or twice a day for 10 to 14 days.
• Tray-based tooth bleaching systems. With this more effective teeth whitening option, a mouth guard-like tray is filled with a peroxide-based bleaching gel or paste and placed over the teeth for one to several hours a day for up to four weeks. It is best to have one custom-fitted by your dentist.
Tooth Bleaching: Keeping Teeth White
Whether you use an at-home tooth-whitening system, or have your teeth bleached in the dental office, you can help maintain the results by brushing, flossing, and rinsing daily. Also, avoid acidic and tannin-rich foods and beverages such as:
• Black teas and coffee
• White and red wine
• Sports drinks
• Carbonated beverages (dark and light-colored sodas)
• Berries and other strongly-colored foods
• Sauces (soy, tomato, curries)
Call us today to discuss your whitening options! (631) 473-3094