Teeth Whitening
Whiten Teeth For Beautiful A Smile
If you brush and floss regularly but can’t seem to get your smile as bright as you want it, you’re not alone. That’s why our teeth whitening treatment is so popular. If you’ve ever thought about having your teeth whitened or doing it yourself at home, here are some things you need to know.
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Why Aren’t My Teeth Getting White From Brushing Alone?
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No matter how diligent you are about brushing, there are a lot of reasons why brushing alone won’t get or keep your teeth white:
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Food stains – Coffee, tea, and red wine are some of the bigger culprits, but soda, citrus fruits, and berries can stain teeth too
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Tobacco – The tar and nicotine found in tobacco smoke can turn them yellow
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Age – As you get older, the enamel of your teeth thins, allowing the yellow color of the dentin inside your teeth to show through
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Injury – If you’ve had an injury that affected one or more teeth, you probably notice that the injured tooth is darker. This is because a tooth’s response to an injury is to lay down more dentin, making the inside layers darker
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Medicines – Various medications can change the color of your teeth. Certain antibiotics, antihistamines, blood pressure medications, and chemotherapies can darken them
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Most of these stains can be removed with whitening treatment; however, color changes due to injury or medication cannot and you may need to explore other options for these, like veneers.
What Is The Teeth Whitening Process?
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Teeth whitening is quite simple, yet not all methods are equally effective. It is always a good idea to consult with your dentist before starting any whitening because they may have greater, longer lasting solutions. Teeth that are really stained with yellow, brown, or grey tones, and any teeth with veneers, crowns, or fillings will not bleach well.
There are several options, including:
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Whitening toothpaste – This type of toothpaste doesn’t use bleach; rather, they have special chemicals that allow them to remove more stains than normal toothpaste. That’s why they are for the most part available over the counter. While they may be more effective than regular toothpaste, they’re not the most effective whitening option.
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In office bleaching – This can usually be done in one dental visit. The dentist applies a gel or shield to protect your gums then applied bleach directly to the teeth. This method gives you the highest concentration of bleach and therefore the best results.
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At home bleaching – Home whitening kits use whiteners that contain peroxide, usually in the form of a gel, that will be placed on a tray and into your mouth. You can also buy whitening strips which have a thin layer of bleach on the surface that you place and wrap around your teeth.
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You will have some success with at home whitening, but whitening through the dentist will usually give your smile the best results. The treatment provided in our office is safer, more effective, and longer lasting than the other processes.
Are There Any Downsides To Whitening?
If you try this type of treatment at home, it may lead to sensitive teeth if the peroxide permeates the dentin and reaches the root of your tooth. Usually, this is temporary and you can try again, but this is an excellent reason why you should always speak with the dentist first.
If you whiten too frequently, you risk damaging your enamel or gums thus always follow directions carefully if you’re using an at-home kit.
Schedule Your Next Dental Appointment Today!
R & A Dentistry offers full-service dental exams, cleanings and a variety of dental services in Downtown Calgary. With flexible, available appointments, we can work around your busy schedule to help you stay on top of your dental health, today and into the future.
Contact us today to schedule your next visit, or let us answer any questions you have about our services. For appointments, call (403) 209-2299 today.