Are you ready for a whiter, brighter smile? Before you purchase that teeth whitening kit from the pharmacy, find out whether it’s going to work here. We’ll answer all your teeth whitening questions so that you can make the right choice!
Do All Teeth Whitening Kits Work The Same?
Unfortunately, no. Many over-the-counter teeth whitening solutions offer inconsistent results. If you want a truly brighter smile, only a professional-grade system will penetrate deep into your teeth’s enamel to the pulp (the innermost layer) to remove stains and whiten the colour. We call this ‘intrinsic whitening’ because it can actually change the colour of the inside of your teeth. Most OTC methods only remove stains on the outside of your teeth, which is referred to as ‘extrinsic whitening.’ If you want the best whitening solution, you need an intrinsic system that will provide you with consistent and long-lasting results.
How Many Options Are There?
The most common options include OTC products, in-office whitening done by your dentist, and at-home bleaching with trays. The strongest of the three is the in-office bleaching done by your dentist. These are most effective because your dentist can identify your current tooth colour to estimate how many shades whiter you can go. Their technique will also ensure that your teeth and gums are protected during the process. This is something you can’t do at home.
How Is In Office Bleaching Performed?
Most systems will involve adding a whitening gel to your teeth and then using an ultraviolet light to whiten the teeth. Some dentists will even take impressions of your teeth to create whitening trays so that you can continue the process at home to achieve maximum results.
Can Bleaching Ruin Existing Dental Work?
Dental restorations such as crowns and bridges cannot absorb whitening agents. They are not made of porous materials, so you shouldn’t worry if you get any of the bleaching agents on these dental appliances. However, you should be extra careful if you have any underlying natural tooth material exposed, as this does have the potential to lighten during teeth whitening procedures.
If you’re looking to have bright, white teeth, we can help at the Teal Umbrella. Our dental clinic uses the Spa-Dent® whitening system that has been proven to provide exceptional whitening results. It’s a high-tech system that uses polaoffice+ bleach combined with LED lights to kick-start the process in the dental chair. Then we take impressions of your teeth to create your own at-home whitening trays so that you can continue to whiten your teeth. In just a few applications, you’ll experience amazing results. Find out more here or book an appointment today!
