You have probably seen people that have had great results from teeth whitening whether they are your friends or celebrities. Today, our Barrie dentists discuss the teeth whitening process and how this cosmetic treatment can help brighten your smile.
What is teeth whitening?
As we age our teeth naturally get darker. This gradual change in colour can be caused by various factors in a person's everyday lifestyle such as consuming dark beverages like coffee, tea, or alcohol, taking certain medications, smoking, as well as general wear and tear from use over the years.
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.
Professional In-Office Teeth Whitening
Professional in-office dental teeth whitening is a popular treatment method for lots of patients, as our dentists can typically finish the entire process in just one or two sessions.
During your in-office whitening treatment, your dentist will begin the process by placing a rubber shield over your gums to guard them against the whitening solution.
Then, 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. Your hygienist will then clear the solution and repeat the application process.
This process generally takes about 1 to 2 hours. For some patients, one session might be enough, however, depending on your specific case, you might need more treatments to obtain the whitening effect you had in mind.
Professional At-Home Teeth Whitening
Look up “how to whiten teeth” online and you’ll soon 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 we offer at our Barrie dental office.
The teeth whitening solutions we can provide come with custom whitening trays and specific instructions that explain how you can whiten your teeth from the comfort of your home. Plus, your dentist will be supervising the process, and your teeth whitening cost may be somewhat less than the in-office solution.
To start, you’ll first need to visit the dentist so an impression of your teeth can be taken in order to create custom whitening trays to fit your smile. 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.