Graduation season is among us in Highlands Ranch and spring is here. Get a whiter smile this spring by following HR Family Dental tips on how to get a whiter smile. Schedule a whitening today.
Nothing says confidence like a bright, radiant smile. Nowadays, there are a variety of ways to make your teeth whiter, whether you try a home remedy, an over the counter (OTC) treatment, or a professional, in-office treatment. The only question is, which whitening treatment is best for you? Everyone’s teeth are different so that all depends on the state of your teeth and what you’re able to afford. To help you choose, you can take a look at our breakdown of the different ways to whiten your teeth.
Whiter Smile Tips
1. In-office Procedures
To get the fastest and most dramatic results, in-office is the preferred option. At an office, a dental professional is able to use stronger agents that quickly and effectively whiten teeth. You can actually see results within an hour, sometimes 10 shades lighter in a single session. Still, they keep the gums and the rest of the mouth protected from the bleach and other whitening materials. Only the front 8 teeth are treated, and your dentist may continue your treatment by recommending a take-home or OTC product as part of a whitening program. Depending on how well you care for your teeth, your treatments could last for one or more years.
Laser Teeth Whitening
First, the dentist will apply a barrier over your gums, protecting them from the whitening materials. Next, the dentist will use a syringe to accurately apply the concentrated whitening solution to your teeth. They will then use a small laser to activate the formula, and the compound will foam as it lifts the stains from your teeth.
Once all the teeth have been whitened, the dentist will let the solution remain for a few minutes before wiping it off with a small vacuum tool. Then, a new layer will be applied, and the steps will be repeated 2-3 times over.
Custom Bleaching Trays
Your dentist will begin this process by creating a customized mold of your teeth to create the trays. Unlike generic teeth trays, these are custom fit so that they provide uniform coverage of the whitening gel. In-office whitening treatments also use a much higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide (home treatments use about 5% whereas professional treatments use up to 43%). Your dentist will then seat the tray firmly against your teeth, wiping off any excess gel. Your dentist will keep the tray on your teeth anywhere from 30-60 minutes before removing it and cleaning your teeth.
2. Over the Counter Treatments
Although OTC whitening treatments may not be as affecting as in-office programs, they are often more affordable and convenient to use. Some common treatments are available at your local drugstore, including whitening strips, special kinds of toothpaste, and take-home whitening trays.
Whitening Strips
Whitening strips vary in price and procedure depending on the level of brightening your looking for. They are small, plastic strips that fit and stick to the outer surface of your teeth. The side that sticks to your teeth has a peroxide gel that helps to whiten teeth. Generally, the stips are used for 30 minutes a day over the course of several days, varying by the type of strip.
Toothpaste and Rinses
To whiten teeth at home, there’s the option of using a whitening toothpaste, mouth rinse, or both to get the results you want. Certain kinds of toothpaste contain gentle polishing agents to remove surface stains when you brush. A mouthwash can contain hydrogen peroxide as a bleaching agent to whiten teeth. Using them daily will help to whiten teeth over time.
Take-Home Whitening Tray
An OTC whitening tray kit works very similarly to the in-office procedure. However, because it’s meant to be used without a dental professional’s supervision, it contains a much milder formula in the gel. The trays can be used once a day, worn for 30 minutes during each session.
3. Natural Whiteners
Using natural whiteners at home are a cheap and healthy way to brighten your smile. Plus, you can find many of these options in your own pantry. However, they won’t be as effective as professional or OTC treatments, and there isn’t a lot of proof to back up their teeth whitening abilities. But they will at least leave your mouth feeling fresh, and maybe, possibly just a tad whiter.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Give us a call today at 303-346-4495 or email us at [email protected] to schedule your first visit. We would love to work with you toward a better, brighter smile.
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