Your Kelowna Invisalign® Provider
You may be thinking of aiming for a brighter, whiter smile and wondering about the best teeth whitening option for you. Our dentists in Kelowna explain teeth whitening options and the effects they may have.
What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure intended to lighten the colour of your teeth using peroxide-based bleaching agents. Oxygen acts ton the tooth enamel to create the whitening effect as the active ingredient breaks down.
What are my options for teeth whitening?
There are numerous options available for whitening your teeth. You may find it challenging to choose the correct one for you, and each has its advantages and can offer positive results. There are also some disadvantages to each, just like with any other procedure.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Your dentist can perform the most effective teeth whitening procedures in their dental office. This is due to the fact that your dentist's gel contains whitening agents that are much stronger and thus, produce much more effective results than over-the-counter products.
Typically, the procedure takes approximately an hour. The dentist will apply a concentrated whitening solution to remove surface stains from your teeth and lighten their natural colour. This process allows for somewhat more efficient results than at-home whitening solutions, which take days or weeks to work.
At-Home Professional Teeth Whitening Trays
Your dentist would supervise the take-home option and create a dental impression during an initial visit to make your whitening trays.
After you take the teeth whitening trays home, you'll be able to manage the teeth whitening application yourself. The whitening gel will need to stay on for between 30 minutes to a few hours each day, for 1 to 3 weeks depending on your dentist's instructions.
The whitening solution will gradually eliminate surface stains and lighten the natural colour of your teeth.
Toothpastes
Whitening toothpastes work to remove surface stains and slightly whiten your teeth. However, keep in mind that whitening toothpastes will not affect the natural colour of your teeth, and they will be unable to lighten stains that have penetrated below the tooth’s surface.
Enamel strengthening toothpastes can help to defend your teeth from cavities and protect your enamel from further damage, which can prevent stains from developing in the first place.
Whitening Strips
These small plastic strips are coated with peroxide-based gel. When you apply the strip to your teeth, the peroxide coating removes surface stains, lightening the colour of your teeth.
You would typically apply whitening strips daily for a 2- to 3-week period, and keep them on for no more than 30 minutes at a time. Because these products contain only a small amount of peroxide, you will usually see only subtle results.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are razor-thin strips of porcelain that are affixed to the fronts of your teeth to improve their colour, shape and symmetry.
If only one or a few of your teeth are discoloured, porcelain veneers may be a practical solution to even out the colour of your teeth.
How do I know which are the best teeth whitening products?
The best teeth whitening products for you will depend on a number of factors, from personal preference to the time you have available in your schedule, and your budget. You may want to consider looking up teeth whitening reviews online for tips and ideas from other people who have opted to take the professional and/or at-home route.