At-Home and Professional Teeth Whitening – The Basics

If your teeth have turned an unappealing shade of yellow or gray, you’re not alone. Most people are at risk of tooth stains and discoloration from the foods and beverages they consume, their tobacco habits, and even the simple passing of years. Fortunately, there are many options for restoring your white smile including chairside professional teeth whitening treatments, abrasive toothpastes, and over-the-counter kits. Regardless of how complex whitening products seem, they all work in either one of two ways:

Bleaching Methods

Bleaching removes surface stains and deep stains, and can make your teeth up to seven shades lighter. In-office professional teeth whitening treatments rely on concentrated bleaching agents such as carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. Light-activated whitening treatments generally cost more, but they provide immediate results. Custom whitening trays created by your dentist whiten teeth at home over a period of several weeks; this option allows you to perform your own touch-ups when needed. Professional treatments can be repeated when stains return over a period of months or years.

Over-the-counter bleaching kit options include boil-and-bite trays, brush-on whitening gels, and pre-treated strips. Do-it-yourself kits may help you save money, but they won’t give you professional teeth whitening results. Your dentist knows how to whiten teeth evenly, and he or she can manage tooth sensitivity symptoms, which are common after the use of whitening products.

Abrasive Whitening Products

A good example of an abrasive whitening product is over-the-counter whitening toothpaste. Abrasive teeth whitening products do not contain bleach; they remove most external stains with physical polishing agents or chemicals. Professional dental cleanings also rely on abrasive action and polishing agents. Abrasion is generally effective for food and tobacco stains.

Talk to Your Dentist About How to Whiten Teeth

Your dentist in Owings Mills is best equipped to determine which treatment types will work best for your teeth. If you have severe tooth discoloration that teeth whitening procedures can’t correct, your dentist can offer other options such as veneers or bonding to give you the smile you’ve always wanted.

To get the dental care you deserve from an affordable dentist in Owings Mills, call Valley Dental Associates today at (443) 898-1240 or make an appointment.