You have most likely seen those in your social group or even celebrities get excellent results from teeth whitening treatments. Today, our Orangeville dentists talk about the teeth whitening process and how this treatment method may be able to provide you with a brighter smile.
Teeth Whitening Treatments
As we get older our teeth naturally get darker. This gradual change in colour can be a side effect of lifestyle factors such as drinking dark beverages like tea, coffee, or alcohol, taking certain medications, smoking, and general wear and tear as a result of years of use.
Professional teeth whitening treatments use peroxide-based bleaching agents to lighten the colour of your teeth and reduce the appearance of surface stains. As the peroxide breaks down, oxygen acts on tooth enamel and creates the whitening effect.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening in a dentist's office is a popular treatment for many people, as the full process can often be completed in one or two sessions.
At the start of the in-office whitening process, a dentist will place a rubber shield over your gums to protect them from the whitening solution.
Next, they will apply the bleaching solution to your teeth with a small brush-like applicator. The solution will be left to work on your teeth for 15 minutes under a low-heat lamp. The hygienist will then clear the solution and repeat the application process.
This process typically takes about 1 to 2 hours. For some people, one session is often enough, but depending on your specific case, you may require more treatments to achieve the whitening effect you had in mind.
Whitening Your Teeth At-Home
If you type “how to whiten teeth” into your search engine of choice you will find a wide range of at-home teeth whitening options. While these present one alternative, they are not quite as strong or as effective as the teeth whitening kits at our Orangeville dental office.
The teeth whitening solutions we offer come with custom whitening trays and specific instructions on how you can whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home. In addition to this, your dentist will be supervising the entire process.
To begin, you’ll first need to visit the dentist so an impression of your teeth can be taken in order to create your custom-made whitening trays. You’ll use these trays at home to apply the whitening solution yourself.
Once your trays are ready, you will return to the dentist’s office to confirm they are a good fit. Next, you’ll be sent home with the trays, the whitening solution, and clear instructions from your dentist.
At home, you’ll wear the trays for about 30 minutes every day for approximately 2 weeks, until you achieve the desired level of whiteness. Then, you can use the whitening solution to touch up your smile every 6 months or so.