AT-HOME VS. IN-OFFICE TEETH WHITENING

If you feel like your smile is no longer as white, bright, or evenly colored as it used to be and you would like to restore the natural look of your teeth or make them look even more brilliant, then teeth whitening with our dentists at South Dayton Smiles might be right for you!

WHAT CAUSES TOOTH DISCOLORATION AND STAINING?

Teeth can become discolored and/or stained for several reasons. The most common way teeth lose their natural, brilliant, white color is due to staining from highly pigmented foods and drinks. Enjoying treats like berries, chocolate, coffee, tea, and red wine can all lead to stained teeth.

Teeth can also become discolored as a result of any kind of tobacco use, which is also quite harmful to oral and general health.

Additionally, teeth can become discolored as a side effect of certain medications, diseases, the overuse of fluoride in childhood, and as a natural part of the aging process. When teeth become discolored or dull-looking as a person ages, this is due to the natural thinning of the person’s tooth enamel. As the enamel grows thinner, the darker, porous layer of the tooth beneath it (dentin) becomes more apparent, creating an overall duller-looking smile.

A VARIETY OF IN-OFFICE AND AT-HOME TEETH WHITENING OPTIONS

If you’re looking for a simple, non-invasive way to improve the look of your smile, then teeth whitening is a great option. It offers a big impact with minimal time and effort required. Plus, there are plenty of whitening options that offer different results and processes, so you can choose the one that best meets your needs.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

In-office teeth whitening treatments are performed at the dentist’s office. These usually consist of gel and tray applications for the whitening agents, in addition to special solutions designed to prevent teeth sensitivity. With in-office treatments, a dentist works with the patient to determine the desired level of whitening and prescribes an exact whitening treatment to help achieve these results.

Over-the-Counter At-Home Teeth Whitening

As you are probably already aware, there are also plenty of at-home teeth whitening products that you can obtain from your local pharmacy, beauty shop, or grocery store. These products include items such as whitening strips, toothpaste, mouthwash, gels, and more.

Over-the-counter whitening products do not offer the same level of results as whitening products that come from the dentist’s office can. They work more slowly and do not whiten teeth as dramatically. While they cannot provide rapid results, they will gradually whiten your teeth over time. These products, such as whitening toothpaste and mouthwash, also make perfect options for maintaining a professionally whitened smile by helping to remove faint stains on a daily basis.

We recommend talking with a dentist before introducing any new teeth whitening products into your oral hygiene routine – especially if you have any dental appliances or cosmetic treatments such as dental bridges, dental implants, crowns, or veneers.

Professional At-Home Teeth Whitening Treatments

A third option for whitening your teeth is to use professional whitening treatments that come from the dentist’s office. With these treatments, you can enjoy the same amazing and fast results as you would with in-office whitening, but from the comfort of your own home.

For safety, these treatments do not act quite as quickly as in-office treatments because the whitening gel is slightly less concentrated. Instead of getting your desired results in one or two in-office whitening sessions, you’ll achieve your desired level of whitening after about a week of at-home treatments (depending on how many shades you want to whiten your teeth).

Professional at-home whitening treatments typically consist of custom-designed trays and professional whitening gel. These trays offer a seamless fit for even application and perfect results.

COSMETIC DENTISTRY TREATMENTS TO CORRECT PERMANENT STAINS AND DISCOLORATION

While most patients can achieve the whitening results they desire with regular teeth whitening treatments, others might have permanent tooth discoloration that is not actually part of a stain. In these cases, there are plenty of options available to cover the discolored portion of the tooth, even out the look of the patient’s smile, and create a beautiful aesthetic.

We offer a variety of treatments including veneers, dental bonding, and crowns that can expertly mask permanent tooth discoloration while blending in seamlessly with the patient’s natural smile.

GETTER A BRIGHTER, WHITER, MORE BRILLIANT SMILE AT South Dayton Smiles

At South Dayton Smiles, we provide patients with professional, at-home teeth whitening with professional-grade whitening gel, personalized whitening instructions, and a set of custom-designed whitening gel trays that offer a perfect fit and an easy-to-achieve even application for stunning results.

To learn more about professional teeth whitening or to schedule a smile makeover consultation, we welcome you to contact South Dayton Smiles today!