Is Teeth Whitening for me?

Feb 2

How do Dentists Whiten Teeth?

You are not the only person that has looked in the mirror and thought about getting a brighter smile.

The way we feel when we’re laughing with friends or smiling for pictures leaves a lasting impression on ourselves and others, but years of eating, and drinking beverages with high pigments such as red wine, coffee, or tea may have taken its toll. Fortunately, professional teeth whitening may be able to remedy this issue.

The Different Types of Teeth Whitening Procedures

There are different types of teeth whitening procedures.

They include:

In-Office Whitening

In-office teeth whitening is one of the most effective ways you can obtain a whiter smile. Your dentist’s gel contains whitening agents that are a lot stronger and can produce results that are more effective than over-the-counter products. At Deer Park Dental we utilize Zoom In-Office Whitening.

Take-Home Whitening Trays

Take-home whitening trays can provide you with a convenient and cost-effective way of whitening your teeth from the comfort of your home. They may be a great option for you if your insurance company doesn't cover dental teeth whitening or if in-office teeth whitening is cost-prohibitive.

You’ll first need your dentist to take a digital scan of your teeth to fabricate custom-fitted trays, which take about one to two weeks to produce. After administering the whitening gel into the trays, you’ll place them in your mouth and leave them in for an hour a day over a two-week time frame. At the end of the process, people typically notice better results when compared with over-the-counter options.

Common Questions about Whitening

1) Is whitening safe?

Teeth whitening is safe if done correctly as recommended by your dentist, or as directed by the whitening product. Often people do experience temporary teeth sensitivity during the whitening process, but the sensitivity is not permanent and does go away a few days after you stop whitening. After the sensitivity resolves, you may once again begin using the whitening product. Some products cause more sensitivity than others but none of the products damage your teeth.

2) How long does it take to whiten my teeth?

The amount of time it takes to whiten teeth depends on which of the whitening methods you choose and the degree of staining on your teeth. The professional in-office whitening systems generally give a faster result. For some people, a single one hour session of tooth whitening is all that is needed.

At home tooth whitening options (either professional or over the counter) in general take longer than in office systems. Professional at home systems usually take 7-14 days, while over the counter products usually take a number of weeks, since they usually contain weaker whitening substances. Over the counter products such as the commonly known white strips usually do not whiten as effectively as professional products.

3) Can I get super white teeth like Hollywood stars? How white can my teeth get?

There are many factors that affect how white your teeth can get. Generally, your teeth can be whitened a number of shades lighter than the current shade they are. Shade guides are available to assess your current shade and to give you a prediction of what degree of whiteness you can expect after treatment.

4) How long do teeth stay white after whitening?

This depends on some factors such as how quickly your teeth absorb stain and the kind of foods you eat. Generally, if you often eat or drink foods that easily cause stains (curries, coffee, etc.), the whitening does not last as long. For most people, teeth will stay very white for about 6 months to two years. Whitening touch-up treatments can be done at the 6 months to two-year mark to once again attain the white shade you had after your initial whitening treatment.

Kenneth Wong