Teeth whitening has grown in popularity over the years, and why not? Many people find their “pearly whites” aren’t so white, and they want to change that. Home kits can provide teeth whitening, but there are many more advantages to having your teeth whitened professionally by your dentist. Endicott Dental offers teeth whitening services that go well beyond what you can get in a little home kit. We can prepare your teeth for the best whitening results possible and tell you how to keep them white.
Why come to Endicott Dental for your teeth whitening? Why not just use those strips in the home kit? Let’s look at what teeth whitening entails and why it’s better to get it done professionally.
What Is Teeth Whitening?
What exactly do we mean by “teeth whitening?” It’s a process that uses certain solutions — usually containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide — to bleach out stains and discoloration in the enamel, the outer shell of your teeth. The peroxide causes a chemical reaction that essentially eats away at the elements discoloring your teeth.
Special ultraviolet (UV) lights can accelerate the chemical reaction and dry the teeth faster, which can decrease the length of time it takes to make your teeth whiter. Patients require more than one treatment to get their teeth truly white in most cases.
Why Are My Teeth Discolored?
Several factors can cause tooth discoloration. Some are as simple as the foods and drinks you consume. Coffee, tea, soft drinks, fruits such as blueberries and other berries, and other foods and drinks can discolor your teeth.
Other factors can cause discoloration, and they may need to be addressed right away by your dentist. Tooth decay can cause your teeth to turn gray or brown as a cavity forms. Your dentist needs to fix this immediately before it causes total rot in the tooth and tooth loss.
Poor hygiene can discolor teeth because plaque and tartar build up on the teeth. This can cause the teeth to become more yellow over time. That’s why you need to visit your dentist at least twice a year for a thorough cleaning.
Tobacco use is another big culprit when it comes to tooth discoloration. While chewing tobacco makes a huge difference, smoking can also cause the teeth to become yellow and even brown. Any tobacco use can and likely will discolor your teeth.
Trauma to the tooth can cause part or all of it to discolor. This can include mouth injuries from accidents or sports injuries. Aging can also discolor the tooth as you lose enamel.
Other factors can range from genetics to the use of certain prescription medications. You’ll want to discuss your tooth discoloration with your dentist and possibly your doctor to see if there are ways to reduce or eliminate further tooth discoloration.
Why Get Professional Teeth Whitening at the Dentist?
You may be tempted to grab one of those home kits to whiten your teeth. They may be OK, but they won’t do as good a job as what you will get at your dentist. There are so many advantages to having your teeth whitened professionally. The biggest advantage is professional teeth whitening is better for your overall dental health.
Before your dentist begins whitening your teeth, he’ll give them a thorough cleaning to remove all plaque and tartar buildup. This gives you much better results from the whitening. Your dentist will also give your teeth a thorough examination to ensure you don’t have any cavities, tooth decay, or other problems that could cause your teeth to discolor.
The tooth-whitening process is better professionally because your dentist will use a higher concentration of peroxide, the key ingredient that whitens your teeth. Your dentist may also use special lights to stimulate the process and speed it up. These produce better results and whiter teeth than the at-home trays or strips. It also means you have to perform it fewer times.
Professional whitening is better for those with sensitive teeth than at-home kits. The strips use about 6% peroxide; the at-home trays use about 22%. The dentist will use a solution of 35% or more, providing better results faster. Your dentist will also know exactly how long to keep the solution on your teeth. This is important because keeping the solution on for too long can wear down your enamel and make your teeth even more sensitive. It can also cause a lot of pain or discomfort. Your dentist can provide better results without the pain.
Get Started With Professional Teeth Whitening
It’s easy to get started with professional teeth whitening. Patients in the Broken Arrow, OK area can contact Endicott Dental or request an appointment online. We provide professional teeth whitening services and several other cosmetic dentistry services, such as bonding and veneers. With Endicott Dental, you can show off those truly white “pearly whites” in no time!
