You may be interested in whitening your teeth but are unsure of how to best go about it and what all your options are for doing so. It’s important that you feel comfortable heading into the process or procedure that you ultimately choose to do.
One effective way to brighten your smile is to use professional teeth whitening services. However, there’s a lot to consider before you decide how you wish to proceed. Here you can learn everything you need to know about teeth whitening so that you are sure to have your facts straight and feel fully informed on the matter.
Here at Simple Dental, we are happy to help you achieve the smile you always dreamed of. Please contact us today for more information about our teeth whitening services and to schedule an appointment.
Why Consider Teeth Whitening?
Your teeth are similar to sponges in that they absorb what you put in your mouth. This means that over time items like coffee, wine, dark berries, or smoke can stain your teeth and have an impact on their natural color. The stains will only go away if you actively remove them, and one way to do so is by teeth whitening. Teeth whitening can enhance your appearance, boost your self-confidence, and is a simple and safe way to get the smile and teeth shade you’ve always wanted.
The good news is that teeth whitening doesn’t damage your teeth when used as instructed. Naturally, your teeth will remineralize and rehydrate after each teeth whitening session. Know that you may experience a little bit of sensitivity after whitening your teeth (especially with at-home kits), which is normal. For best results, you should consider whitening your teeth right before bed.
Can You Remove Stains Overnight?
Professional in-office whitening systems such as Zoom with blue activation lights are powerful at removing stains in a visit as short as an hour. This procedure is done only under a dentist’s supervision, so the dentist will do a consultation to see if this will be the best treatment for you.
As for an at-home system, it can be tempting to buy into marketing that claims you can get overnight results with teeth whitening products. However, this is never the case and you should be hesitant to use products that say this will hold true. There is no over-the-counter or at-home product on the market that can whiten your teeth in a day or hours. You should plan to see noticeable results anywhere from as few as 4 days and up to several months.
If you have severe stains on your teeth then you’ll need to be even more patient. The upside is that once the persistent stains are gone you can easily maintain the results. It’s also important to note that caps and veneers can’t be whitened and not everyone’s teeth can turn out and become perfectly white.
Is Hydrogen Peroxide Safe?
You likely see and use hydrogen peroxide in your daily life and maybe even often. It has many uses, one of which is to whiten teeth. However, you may be wondering if it is safe. Hydrogen peroxide is considered a safe method of teeth whitening when it’s performed correctly. Here at Simple Dental, we offer safe and effective teeth whitening services you can trust. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment.
You should also know that the concentration of hydrogen peroxide will defer based on your need and a dentist can recommend the best and safest concentration for you. Generally speaking, if it’s used safely and correctly then hydrogen peroxide can effectively whiten your teeth.
Hydrogen Peroxide Vs. Carbamide Peroxide
Carbamide peroxide also whitens teeth by breaking down into hydrogen peroxide and urea. This combination works as an acid to lift up stains from the teeth. You’ll find that hydrogen peroxide breaks down quicker than carbamide peroxide. Therefore, most of the whitening power is released within 30 to 60 minutes with hydrogen peroxide and the treatment time is quicker. On the other hand, carbamide peroxide releases half of its whitening power in the first few hours and can remain active for up to six more hours.
So, what’s the difference? The difference between the two is chemical combination and how hydrogen peroxide is released. Hydrogen peroxide is an effective whitening agent on its own. Alternatively, carbamide peroxide contains hydrogen peroxide in it at 1:3 ratio and is slower in its activation. This may be useful if you want an overnight tray. Overall, they are both safe and effective to use if you follow the instructions.
Is Blue Light Effective?
You may also be wondering if blue light is an effective teeth whitening method. It falls within the ultraviolet spectrum and is comparable to the light that the sun emits. Generally speaking, blue light is an excellent activation agent for hydrogen peroxide in tooth whitening systems like Zoom. It delivers dramatic results in a shorter time period and is a powerful teeth whitening agent. The blue light activates the hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide whitening gel and helps lift stains. This process is FDA regulated and it’s only offered under dentist supervision. Simple Dental offers Zoom whitening with the blue light. It works quickly and effectively and can be a good option for you if you want to see the difference in one visit.
At-Home & Over-the-Counter Kits
You may know about or have seen at-home and over-the-counter teeth whitening kits and are wondering if they’re safe and if they truly work or not. The reality is that your results will last longer and look more natural when you choose teeth whitening services from the dentist’s office.
There are many options to choose from such as a whitening tray, whitening gels, or whitening toothpaste. You’ll need to experiment and see which you prefer and which works best for you. While at-home teeth whitening kits can give you some noticeable results they do have their limitations. Professional teeth cleaning prior to whitening will increase the effectiveness of whitening. The strength of the whitening agent is also different. The over-the-counter kits can eliminate some of the stains and discoloration but a dentist’s office can help you achieve even greater results.
In-Home Vs. In-Office Whitening
Another matter to address and that you may be wondering about is if you should use in-home solutions or schedule an in-office whitening appointment. It’s a good question and one worth diving a bit deeper into.
Depending on your needs, in-office whitening sessions will usually require several short appointments for best results. Your entire appointment shouldn’t be longer than an hour and a half altogether. There are different methods used when it comes to professional whitening services. Some dentists use a high concentration hydrogen peroxide gel, while others use a combination of hydrogen peroxide and a high-intensity light. Here at Simple Dental, we use the Philips Zoom Whitening system. You’ll discover that in-office whitening solutions are a lot stronger than the in-home kits so you’ll see results quicker.
With an in-home kit, you have to remember to do it and choose one that has been proven to work. There are many kinds to choose from such as whitening strips, trays, lights, rinses, and brushes. Always follow the instructions and use regularly over the timeframe the product states. We offer Phillips Take-home Teeth Whitening Kits with customized trays for the safe and proven result.
The differences between professional teeth whitening and in-home kits is time, cost, and personal effort. You’ll see faster results when you visit a dentist to have your teeth whitened. You may experience inconsistent results depending on your teeth when you choose to use an in-home kit. Finally, the dentist will provide the full service from start to end when you opt for an in-clinic whitening method.
Our Solution: Philips Zoom Whitening
Here at Simple Dental, we are proud to offer the Philips Zoom Whitening procedure. Zoom Whitening is a leading brand of teeth whitening that is effective and can remove stains and brighten your smile within an hour. It’s not only speedy but you likely won’t experience as much tooth sensitivity when using this solution. The secret has to do with the use of ultraviolet light. There is a bleaching or whitening gel that will be applied along with just enough ultraviolet light to make your enamel shine with brightness. It’s a dependable procedure that can get your teeth up to eight shades whiter. It’s considered a safe and effective way to professionally and quickly whiten your teeth.
It’s a painless process that has the potential to remove even the toughest stains and create a dazzlingly white, and long-lasting smile within one hour. We are pleased to be able to offer the Philips Zoom Whitening procedure at our dental clinic and encourage you to check it out for yourself. Using this procedure, you’ll notice greater whitening power in combination with less tooth sensitivity. Our team strongly believes that taking care of your teeth shouldn’t be difficult. Contact our office today to learn more about our comprehensive list of services and how we can help you get whiter teeth and a brighter smile.
How Long Does Whitening Last
When it comes to learning everything you need to know about teeth whitening, you’re also probably wondering how long does whitening last. This is an important question since you’ll be investing time and money into getting whiter teeth. Results are going to vary from person to person and can last anywhere from six months to up to two or three years.
Your best defense is always a good offense so take preventative measures to keep your teeth healthy and white. Practice good oral hygiene and avoid stain-causing foods and drinks. Eat foods that are good for your teeth and body and consider using a straw for dark beverages. Take into account your lifestyle and if you smoke and drink coffee and wine, which all can more quickly stain your teeth and make your whitening procedure short-lived. It’s in your best interest to keep up with regular dental hygiene as well as pay attention to your diet and lifestyle and what you’re eating and drinking for longer-lasting results.
In Summary
You now are equipped with everything you need to know about teeth whitening and your options for how you can do so. While you have choices when it comes to how you whiten your teeth, you’re likely to see faster and better results when selecting in-office and professional teeth whitening services. Overall, teeth whitening is a fairly simple process. It’s a great option if you’re looking for an effective way to get whiter teeth that you will feel proud to show off. You’ll enjoy showing off your teeth instead of trying to hide them.
You should feel informed and confident in making a choice about how you want to go about whitening your teeth after reviewing these details. While in-office teeth whitening services involve several steps, it’s usually worth the time and money in the end. Discuss with your dentist the shade you wish to achieve and the procedure that they will use to complete the whitening process. It’s important that you feel comfortable with all the details before you commit to any type of teeth whitening solution. Let today be the day you decide to do something for yourself and whiten and brighten your smile with professional teeth whitening services.
Next Steps
If you’re self-conscious about your teeth and smile then why wait any longer to get help and treatment for it? You’ll feel more confident and have better oral health when you keep up with dentist appointments and take advantage of services that can improve your smile.
Here at Simple Dental we offer dentistry with integrity and are experts when it comes to Cosmetic dentistry. We want to help you achieve a brighter, whiter, and healthier smile today. We encourage you to check out our website further for a list of our services and to read more about us.
Do you want whiter teeth and to show off your smile with confidence? We want to provide you with the opportunity to do just that. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or if you wish to schedule an appointment.
We look forward to hearing from you soon and helping you get the results you desire as it relates to your oral health and teeth.
