You noticed that your smile is not what it used to be. Perhaps, you have been taking a lot of coffee, tea, or possibly tobacco, which has caused your tooth to discolor. So you decide to go for an over-the-counter whitening method. However, as time goes by, you don’t get the desired results. So you decide to look into other options. Whitening solutions are a popular topic in the beauty industry since many people want a brighter smile. There are many options at your disposal when it comes to teeth whitening.
You can choose from whitening strips, pens, toothpaste, rinses, or professional teeth whitening treatments. The only problem is in choosing the appropriate teeth whitening solution. To get the best results from a whitening agent, it has to be strong enough to remove the discoloration. However, most at-home teeth whitening options are not strong and will not give you noticeable results.
If you want to make your teeth several shades brighter, consider other whitening options apart from the over-the-counter products. Here is a look at three alternatives you can use instead of the at-home teeth whitening to give you a brighter smile.
Professional Teeth Whitening
In-office teeth whitening procedures are done in dental practices. When you come to our dental office for a teeth whitening procedure, you can relax and listen to music as your teeth are getting whitened.
We use the Opalescence whitening system in our dental practice. The procedure involves the application of a strong whitening agent that gives you immediate results. It penetrates the enamel and gets rid of the discolored molecules. With an in-office whitening procedure, you will get teeth whiter up to 8 shades in only one application.
Teeth whitening is an efficient way to get a brighter smile. The procedure is done in the office and is completed over short appointments. However, the time it takes depends on your needs.
In-office teeth whitening is a process that can be done either in the dentist’s office or at home. The dentist will use a special gel to cover the teeth and a light to activate the gel. This process can take up to an hour and is usually done in two sessions.
The following is what you should expect in professional teeth whitening.
- The dentist uses a chart to determine the appropriate shade for your teeth. You can choose the shades you want before the whitening begins.
- The dentist polishes the tooth and gets rid of any plaque that remains.
- The dentists exercise caution to ensure the whitening agent doesn’t go to your gums, tongue, or cheek by using tools to keep your mouth open. There is also a barrier placed in your gum line.
- The dentist will apply the whitening agent and allow it to stay on the teeth for one hour.
- Your dentist will apply another coat if need be
- Once the process is complete, the dentist will rinse your mouth. The dentist will apply fluoride to reduce the risk of sensitivity.
The dentist will also give you instructions on how to maintain your teeth after the procedure, such as avoiding certain foods and drinks for 24 hours.
Professional Take Home
Take-home whitening from your dentist is the ideal option if you are not looking for quick results. It involves the use of custom whitening trays that are similar to retainers. We will give you a stronger whitening gel; you load it onto the tray and put it on until you get the desired results.
If you don’t want to take the procedure at the dentist’s office, you can opt for a take-home. The take-home trays are custom-made to suit every patient’s needs. The dentist makes an impression of your teeth from a custom-fabricated tray.
You’ll get a comprehensive whitening result with the help of the tray compared to OTC trays. The tray will not have a hydrogen peroxide-based gel but a carbamide peroxide-based gel that you can safely use at home. You won’t experience any sensitivity if the gel gets on your gums, tongue, or cheek. According to the American Dental Association, the concentration of the gel used in making the custom-fit trays is between 10 and 38 percent of carbamide peroxide.
We use a Stratasys 3D printer to make an exact model of the patient’s teeth. This allows us to make custom trays within a day of your appointment. You will come back and pick up the custom tray and professional-grade gel. The whitening happens at home when you have time.
Therefore, the professional take-home is perfect if you are busy and do not want to have multiple appointments.
Staying Away from Foods that Stain Teeth
Everyone wishes to have a beautiful smile, but at times your teeth may discolor. You can’t control some factors like accidents or age, but
Eating a chocolate bar
The most common cause of teeth staining is the consumption of dark-colored beverages and foods. It includes coffee, tea, red wine, and dark sodas. Smoking cigarettes and using tobacco products also contribute to tooth staining.
If you want to keep your teeth white, you should avoid certain foods, including dark fruit juice, tea, and coffee. Eliminating pigment-rich foods is a natural way to whiten your teeth. You can rinse with water to avoid the effect of the pigment-rich foods. Even though it may not eliminate the staining potential, it will reduce the stain a bit.
Conclusion
If over-the-counter teeth whitening solutions do not yield the desired results, you have other options. You can use any of the above or go with a combination of the alternatives to get the best results. Get advice from your dentist on the best teeth whitening solution when you go for your next dental appointment. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for your teeth whitening session.