Teeth whitening gives you an amazing way to improve the look of your smile without any invasive or uncomfortable procedures. Instead, you can experience brighter and whiter teeth in a very short time with minimal effort. We offer safe and effective chair-side teeth whitening at Hometown Dental in Hesperia, California. If you have been considering whether this could be a good cosmetic dental treatment for you, read on to discover more about how your teeth are whitened and how professional treatments can improve your look.
When to Choose Teeth Whitening Near Me
If you have recently become self-conscious about your yellowed or brown-stained teeth, whitening can help you get back your confidence in your smile. It is quite rare for anyone to have pure white teeth. Teeth colors naturally vary, and age, certain food and drinks and even a few medications can eventually change tooth color more dramatically. While you do not have to choose teeth whitening for the sake of your oral health, you may want to choose it for your emotional health.
Teeth whitening can be used by many people today, but it may not be safe for everyone. For example, those under the age of 16, women who are currently pregnant or nursing and those who have very sensitive teeth or gum disease should not opt for this cosmetic dental treatment.
How Teeth Whitening Works
Teeth whitening involves painting a special bleaching substance onto the enamel of the fronts of your teeth. Usually, your dentist will use a strong solution of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. As the bleaching solution reacts on your teeth, bubbles of oxygen form, which help to lighten the color of your tooth enamel.
Move over, stained teeth!
Whiter teeth and a more attractive smile will boost your self-confidence. After you have undergone the procedure, you need to adhere to the post-whitening care directions. With proper oral hygiene, you will be able to keep your teeth white and attractive.
Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening Vs an At-Home Teeth Whitening Kit
You have probably seen plenty of teeth whitening toothpastes and at-home whitening kits on the shelves of local drugstores. Despite your diligence in using these options, however, they may not produce very noticeable results. For example, whitening toothpastes may prevent further stains from forming on your teeth but typically do not do much to eliminate any stains you already have. Strips and gels from a teeth whitening kit may produce mild results but often create uncomfortable side effects, such as tooth sensitivity if the gel is not applied perfectly.
With professional teeth whitening at Hometown Dental, you can achieve incredible results with a minimum of fuss or time. Because Dr. Pipkin applies the bleaching substance perfectly, you will not have to worry about sore gums or highly sensitive teeth after the procedure. While it can cost more to get your teeth whitened in the office, you can often achieve tooth enamel that is three to eight times whiter than before the treatment.
What to Know About Your Teeth Whitening Session
For the best results, you will need to plan on coming to our office for teeth whitening treatments several times over the course of a few weeks. Each appointment should last between 30 to 60 minutes, and you will be completely comfortable throughout the entire session.
Once Dr. Pipkin determines that teeth whitening is a safe and appropriate treatment for you, she will put a shield or special gel on your gums to protect them from the harsh bleaching agents. Next, she will apply the bleach, typically using a tray system that fits over your teeth.
While teeth whitening works quite well in most scenarios, it may not work on all of your teeth. For example, crowns, veneers and fillings cannot be whitened. In addition, if your natural teeth have gray rather than yellow undertones, whitening may not work much if at all.
Preserving Your White Teeth
Once you achieve the shade of white teeth that you want, you will certainly want to keep them looking beautiful for as long as possible. Although teeth whitening results are not permanent, they can last for quite some time if you care for your teeth well after your treatments. Be sure to brush your teeth twice per day for two minutes at each session. Floss daily to remove plaque from around the teeth.
In addition, you may want to make some changes to the things you eat and drink to prevent future staining. Tea, coffee and wine are considered to be highly staining substances. If you do consume them, be sure to rinse out your mouth with water as soon as possible, or brush your teeth thoroughly.
