Whitening Options

-




Have you ever looked at your teeth and thought, “Man, I wish they were whiter”? Or maybe you’ve even picked up some whitening strips from the store to try, only to figure out that they don’t actually work as well as you had been hoping. Well, there are some solutions you can try. There are quite a few ways to whiten your teeth, but I have seen the best results with these two options:


  1. In-Office Whitening: This gives you the quickest results, but can be sensitive and varies in the amount of whitening that is achieved.  Usually this is 1-2 hours you spend in the dentist chair as the doctor and assistant apply a high concentration of whitening gel to your teeth in multiple, small segments of time. The results are fast (relatively speaking) and long-lasting provided you don’t eat or drink a lot of staining foods. Because of the limited predictability with this option it is used more as a quick fix before an event or for individuals that aren't motivated to do the treatment themselves at home.
  2. Take-Home Custom Whitening Trays: This is my favorite option and what I do for my own teeth. These may take a little longer than in the office to yield results but it is much easier to maintain and keep your teeth white and much faster than whitening strips. An impression is taken of your teeth and then trays are made to fit your teeth exactly. You will be given whitening gel and instructions on how to use your trays. The whitening happens in your home at your leisure. I give my patients Opalescence whitening gel. Typically instructions for this gel are: whiten for 30 minutes once a day for two to four weeks and touch-up as needed. This option is best because it gives the patient the opportunity to choose how white they want their teeth and gives the ability to maintain or touch up with time. 
Before Whitening                   After Whitening
It's as easy as that! There are some factors to consider for each type of whitening including cost, speed of results, length of time that effects last, and sensitivity. In general, take-home custom whitening trays are more cost effective than in-office whitening but the speed of your whitening results is much faster with in-office whitening than with at-home custom whitening trays. With any option it is important to have reasonable expectations as to how white your teeth will get. Do not expect them to turn Hollywood white without months and months of bleaching. At the same time most people notice a slight difference after just one week of whitening. Diet and smoking will affect how long they stay white.

At this time research shows no ill affects from whitening on the teeth. There is no damage done to the enamel during the process. The only recommendation is not to do it during pregnancy.

Your teeth typically will stay whiter longer with take-home custom whitening trays than an in-office whitening because you are able to touch up as needed. Some people experience sensitivity while using the whitening gel, this sensitivity is usually higher with in-office whitening sessions because the gel has a higher concentration of whitening agent than what would be given to you with take-home custom whitening trays. There are tips and tricks that you can do to alleviate this sensitivity, so don't let that scare you away from whitening!

If you have other questions or concerns, come in and talk to me.

Happy whitening!

~Cyrus Larson, DMD


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Is Fluoride Good or Bad?

-
Image
Fluoride.  One of the heavily debated topics of dentistry.  I have read a lot of information on both sides of the story. I'll start out by saying from the research I've done and the evidence I've seen as a dentist I am pro-fluoride.  As with most things fluoride is useful in moderation. (For studies and more information on fluoride click here .) Even water can be “toxic” in high enough doses. High levels of fluoride can cause dental or skeletal fluorosis. Dental fluorosis occurs from very high levels of fluoride as a child and results in mottling (spotting) of the teeth (and no cavities). (Click  here for more information on fluorosis.)  My patients that grow up in areas with high fluoride exposure often have NO cavities into their 20's, 30's and 40's. Fluoride is  found naturally in most water sources. The amount and concentration of naturally occurring fluoride in water is due to different types of soils and rocks found around a water source. Flu...
Read more

Are You Valentine’s Day Ready?

-
Image
Don't Let Bad Breath Ruin Date Night There are many different things that can contribute to having bad breath!  Some causes might be obvious like which foods you may be eating or having poor oral hygiene, but some might not be so evident. If you have date night or an important event coming up, here are some tricks to help you keep your breath fresh. Common Foods to Avoid: Garlic or Onions - The distinctive smell is caused by sulfur-containing chemicals in the garlic and onion. The smell can linger on a person's breath for hours and even overnight. Dairy - Naturally occurring bacteria from your tongue feeds on the amino acids in milk and cheese, which can result in an odor that is foul. Coffee - The caffeine in coffee can actually dry out your mouth by slowing saliva production which can be a trigger for bad breath This should be a little more obvious for most, but staying on top of your oral hygiene is the easiest way to keep your breath fresh. Ma...
Read more

Why are my teeth sensitive?

-
Image
Happy Independence Day! Nothing says summer more than celebrating our freedom with fireworks and ice cream! For those of you who just cringed at that sentence, it may be because the thought of having something cold hit your teeth sends preliminary phantom pains into the nerves of your teeth. If that's the case, you probably have sensitive teeth. There are a few different reasons why you might have sensitive teeth, but the good news is you can treat it!  Possible Causes: Cavities Gum Recession (Exposed Roots) Worn Enamel Fractured Teeth The treatment depends on the cause, so it is important to discuss with your dentist your sensitivity issues. The fix may be as easy as switching toothpaste! When worn enamel is the culprit, using a toothpaste targeted towards sensitivity can help with symptoms. I personally recommend Sensodyne brand. Sensitive toothpastes work because they contain potassium nitrate which calms your tooth's nerves and help...
Read more