Is teeth whitening right for me?
Today there are numerous teeth whitening procedures, from whitening toothpastes to power whitening in the dentist's chair. Whitening works great on unrestored teeth (no fillings, crowns or veneers in the front part of the mouth) but not always so well otherwise, and that's just one of many factors to consider. So, talk to your dentist before spending the time and money on a whitening procedure that may be ineffective or even harmful to your teeth.
Whitening toothpastes
Whitening toothpastes generally contain extra polishing additives to enhance stain removal. This method however is designed to only remove the surface stains on your teeth and does not have the power to change the overall color of your teeth.Over-the-counter products
There are numerous over-the-counter products available, such as stripes, gels and trays. You should be very careful in using these products as they usually contain peroxide, which could be harmful to your teeth if used incorrectly. These products also have a very low success rate because selling them over the counter requires meeting certain safety requirements that limit the amount of active ingredients they can contain.Power Whitening
This procedure is probably the fastest working but also the most expensive, since it must be preformed by a trained physician in a dental office. Strong peroxide is applied to the teeth and then a laser is used for about 30-60 minutes to accelerate the whitening process. The down side of this procedure is that the results can vary and often the teeth begin to darken again if a topical at-home gel is not applied.♦ Home Whitening Gel
This is the procedure that we recommend because it provides the best results. A dentist will preform an examination, which can be done during one of your normal dental visits, and create molds of your teeth called "bite guards" that are filled with a whitening gel provided by the dentist and worn for a set period of time. This procedure is not only more effective than the others but also more affordable in the long run.
Ask your Smile Time dentist how you can participate in our At Home Teeth Whitening Program
Additional Considerations for Teeth Whitening
- You should have healthy gums and any deposits should be removed from teeth that would keep the active ingredients from reaching the teeth enamel.
- Remember that any restored teeth with crowns, fillings or veneers will not whiten. If you do whiten your teeth with these on there is a chance that your restored teeth will look darker then the others.
- It is not a good idea for people under the age of 16 to whiten their teeth as the treatments can irritate younger teeth.