Teeth whitening is actually a group of procedures that can be conducted with the goal of yielding whiter, brighter or lighter teeth color. The expert dentists remove stains caused by coffee, red wine, smoking, and general exposure to food and debris over a lifetime. These procedures do not have specific health advantages, but rather they are performed for cosmetic purposes.
Stained teeth can be completely healthy, as long as they are kept free from plaque and tartar or calculus. If you are unhappy with the current shade of your teeth, look no further than the local teeth whitening at South Cambridge Dental office.
It’s common for patients to wonder if they should have their teeth cleaned prior to getting a whitening procedure performed. In most cases, the answer is (yes) , many whitening treatments are more effective on clean teeth.
Types of Teeth Whitening
There are several different types of teeth whitening treatments, some of which are performed at home and others that can only be administered by a professional providers. Teeth whitening is safe. However, if you have a history of tooth sensitivity or weak enamel, you may not be a good candidate for teeth whitening. If you choose to go for a professional whitening treatment, we at South Cambridge Dental evaluate the condition of your teeth to make sure it’s safe to proceed. If you want to use over-the-counter whitening strips and trays, it’s a good idea to check with your Bright Now dentist before you begin using these products. We offer free take home whitening kit if you choose to do your cleaning at our dental office.
To help you decide which type of whitening treatment is right for you, here’s more details at the most common options :
- Over-The-Counter Whitening Strips and Trays:
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You can find numerous brands of whitening strips and trays available over-the-counter at your local pharmacy stores. These brands typically use hydrogen peroxide as the active ingredient, and they contain a lower concentration of peroxide than the in-office products that your dental provider will use.
Over-the-counter whitening strips and trays may be the best teeth whitening treatment if you only wish to lighten your teeth a few shades without deep-set stains. Our dental provider recommend using an ADA approved kit, and strictly adhering to the instructions provided by the company.
The best time to begin using over-the-counter whitening trays or strips is after your biannual teeth cleaning appointment. This way, the bleaching agents will have better contact with your newly cleaned teeth.
- In-Office Laser Bleaching
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If you have more serious dental staining or very yellow teeth, the best teeth whitening treatment is one performed by the dental provider. Laser bleaching is one of the most common in-office whitening treatments offered bySouth Cambridge Dental.
During the procedure, a bleaching material will be applied to your teeth, and then a special laser will be aimed at your smile to activate the bleaching product. Results can be seen in as little as one appointment. If you have stubborn stains or desire lighter shades, your provider may re-apply the bleach and activate it with the laser several times during one session.
There are many different brand name whitening treatments. Each contains a different concentration of bleaching agent, and some contain extra ingredients such as fluoride to strengthen the tooth enamel or potassium nitrate to reduce tooth sensitivity. During your appointment, your provider will recommend the best teeth whitening procedure based on your needs. Your tooth whitening procedure will typically take one to two hours, depending on the exact process your dental provider recommends.
Goals and Benefits of Teeth Whitening
The primary benefit of teeth whitening is, of course, a whiter and brighter smile. This can boost your self-confidence and also help inspire you to take better care of your teeth . If you are proud of your white, bright smile, you may be more inspired to brush, floss, and schedule cleaning appointments every 6 months. By keeping your teeth clean and avoiding foods that stain (think coffee and wine), your whitening results should last for years.
Some reasons you may want to undergo teeth whitening include:
- You are embarrassed to smile because of yellow or stain teeth.
- You have been using whitening toothpastes and rinses but no improvement.
- You have a special occasion (like a wedding or graduation) coming up, and you want to look like celebrities.
Conclusion Cleaning and Whitening
Teeth cleaning is essential for dental health, and teeth whitening is a cosmetic process that can improve the appearance of your smile. If you are unhappy with the color of your teeth and would like to schedule a whitening appointment, call us today at 226 3180927. We offer same day cleaning appointments and 50% off Zoom Fridays, and have made it easy to schedule you as soon as possible. Our South Cambridge Dental staff is looking forward to hearing your concerns and providing the very best treatment that you deserve.