Brighten Your Smile: The Teeth Whitening Guide
Your smile is the first thing people notice. A survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry found that almost all (99.7%) Americans feel that a great smile is a social asset.
Whitening your teeth is the fastest, easiest, and least expensive way to improve your overall appearance. It is a simple process that can provide exceptional results.
Why Do Teeth Need Whitening?
Tooth enamel is the hard, white coating that protects your teeth. While tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, it contains tiny holes that extend inside from the crown (top) of the tooth towards the root. These holes, known as rods, can absorb staining agents from food and drinks. Once inside the pores, these stain-causing agents can discolor your tooth enamel.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening works by introducing a whitening agent into the pores. The active ingredients in whitening agents temporarily widen the pores, lifting and breaking down stains.
Teeth whitening can cause sensitivity
Opening the rods can allow hot or cold food, water, or air to enter the tooth enamel and cause pain. This is known as tooth sensitivity, and it can last for days or weeks after teeth whitening.
Types of Teeth Whitening in Melbourne
Several approaches to teeth whitening are available, and each has its advantages, so one may work better for you than the others. You may find a combination of teeth-whitening approaches that work best for you.
Over-the-counter products
You can purchase teeth whitening products at your local pharmacy or big box store. These products come as:
Toothpaste – brush with a whitening toothpaste for two minutes twice daily
Strips – remove the strip from the package and press it to the visible surfaces of your front teeth, with the gel side against your teeth
Gels – place the recommended amount of gel at the front of each tooth in a tray; put the tray in your mouth and press it against your teeth firmly; wear the tray for the recommended amount of time
Rinses – swish the whitening rinse around your mouth, then spit it into the sink; use as often as directed
Chewing gum – chew for the recommended amount of time each day
Benefits of over-the-counter products
These whitening products are easy to use at home and inexpensive as a one-time-only purchase. Over-the-counter whiteners can help maintain the results of professional whitening.
Drawbacks to using over-the-counter products only
While it may seem simple, using over-the-counter teeth whiteners may be surprisingly complex. For example, they will not whiten some types of dental work, which means they can create uneven results. Overuse can cause sensitivity.
Over-the-counter products cannot use the most potent whitening agents available, so they won’t work as well as professional whitening. What’s more, it can take days or weeks to see results. Using these weaker products for longer can cost more than professional whitening.
Professional teeth whitening
Professional teeth whitening in Melbourne provides the fastest, most effective whitening results possible. Only dentists can use the most potent dental-grade whitening agents, which are unavailable over the counter. These powerful whitening agents bring your teeth to their whitest shade possible. Dentists also use state-of-the-art whitening techniques and equipment to whiten your teeth.
Your dentist can adjust the strength of your whitening agent or the length of your treatment to reduce the risk of tooth sensitivity.
In-office teeth whitening is the fastest way to whiten your teeth – you’ll walk into our office with dull, discolored, and brilliantly white teeth. No more waiting for weeks or months for a great smile!
If you have veneers, crowns, or other specific dental work, your Melbourne dentist can accurately predict how much you can whiten your teeth without worrying about uneven results.
Professional teeth whitening can create a baseline for whitening at home. Ask your dentist to recommend an at-home product to maintain your professional teeth whitening results for as long as possible.
Benefits of in-office whitening in Melbourne
- Getting the whitest teeth possible
- Enjoying even results
- Lower risk of tooth sensitivity
- Cost-savings over time
Drawbacks of professional teeth whitening
- Time at the dentist
- Higher one-time cost
Family Dentists in Melbourne, Florida, Can Help You Brighten Your Smile
Artistic Touch Dentistry is the Melbourne, FL, dentist that patients rely on for a white, healthy smile. Our Melbourne dentists take a highly individualized approach to help you choose the right braces for your smile. Make an appointment with Artistic Touch Dentistry today by calling 321.724.1400.