Teeth whitening is amongst the most popular cosmetic dental procedures today. This dental procedure is designed to remove stains from your teeth. These stains can be caused by age, coffee, wine, soda, or tobacco. If your teeth have stains, teeth whitening can help. With so many products and procedures available, patients often wonder which will work best for them.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening by your dentist is a whitening procedure that uses a whitening gel to whiten teeth. A protective barrier is placed on your gums to protect the soft tissue and roots.
After your gums are carefully protected, the whitening gel is applied to the teeth. A light may be used to enhance the effectiveness of the gel. The procedure usually takes 60 – 90 minutes.
Professional or in-office teeth whitening uses the strongest bleaching agents. Patients can see dramatic results after just one session. Whitening gels are not recommended for people with gum disease or teeth weakened from dental work.
Home Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening can be done at home, although professional treatments tend to work better. However, some patients prefer a more gradual change. For these patients, an at-home whitening kit may be a better option. The at-home kit uses a lower concentration of bleaching agents. Patients wear the tray filled with the whitening solution for several hours each day. These kits generally require several weeks to produce results.
Over-the-counter whitening products are available, but some of these products contain chemicals that can harm your tooth enamel. It’s usually best to consult with your dentist before using an over-the-counter whitening product.
What to Expect After Teeth Whitening
The whitening we provide at our practice is extremely safe and effective. Many patients report that their whitening results are even better than expected.
However, there are some steps patients can take to help maintain their white smile. First, avoid consuming foods that will stain your teeth. This includes wine, coffee, and foods with tomato sauce and curries in them. The acids in these foods are what cause dental discoloration.
You can also avoid stain-causing drinks. Steer clear of colas, black tea, coffee, and red wine. When you do drink, use a straw.
So if you are looking forward to whitening your teeth with teeth whitening, we suggest you book an appointment soon by calling us at (832) 939-9999 or emailing us at info@sweetwaterdentalstudio.com. Visit us in Sweetwater Dental Studio at 4840 Sweetwater Blvd suite A, Sugar Land, TX 77479.