A brighter, whiter smile has many benefits. Teeth whitening can improve your smile, boost your confidence, and even make you look younger. A recent study found that people with whiter teeth were perceived to be younger than those with a darker tooth color.

For many people, professional teeth whitening offers the safest, easiest, and most effective path to a more luminous smile. Whitening treatments, however, aren’t one-size-fits-all. Before you try a professional teeth whitening option, here’s what you should know.

Tooth discoloration is one of the biggest reasons our patients request teeth whitening. Stains, however, aren’t all created equal. They generally fall into one of two categories:

• Extrinsic: These stains are superficial, affecting only the outer enamel layer of your teeth, and are often caused by food, drinks, or tobacco.
• Intrinsic: These kinds of stains affect the inner layers of the teeth and may be a result of aging, genetics, or dental trauma.

While professional whitening treatments can address both intrinsic and extrinsic stains, the latter is harder to remove. Your dentist may recommend an alternate approach, such as a crown or veneer, when extrinsic stains are unlikely not respond to bleaching.

Both professional teeth whitening options and those you might find at a drug store typically use similar ingredients, like hydrogen peroxide, for example. The difference, however, is that professional solutions are more concentrated. Over-the-counter whitening solutions have a 3 to 10 percent concentration, while professional treatments usually contain a 25 to 40 percent concentration of hydrogen peroxide. As a result, professional options offer a few key advantages.

• Faster: Professional options offer more dramatic results, meaning a whiter, brighter smile in less time.
• More Effective: Compared to over-the-counter methods, professional teeth whitening is better at removing and lightening stubborn stains.
• Longer Lasting: Typically, professional whitening treatments offer a longer-lasting white smile, meaning less frequent treatments are needed.

Although tooth sensitivity is common after whitening treatments, it’s not a given. Your dentist can tailor the whitening treatment to your specific needs and provide options to mitigate any discomfort. Professional teeth whitening also offers more precision than over-the-counter options, meaning the whitening solution is applied directly to the teeth, with less risk of irritating your gums or tissue.

If you have a history of sensitive teeth, be sure to talk to your dentist before a whitening procedure about ways to mitigate any discomfort. For most patients, post-treatment sensitivity fades quickly. Your dentist might recommend using a special toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth, like Sensodyne, to reduce irritation after whitening.

Teeth whitening treatments are designed to treat natural tooth enamel. Any dental work you have had, including veneers, crowns, or fillings, will not change shade with whitening treatment.

If you have planned dental work coming up and you’re interested in whitening, we always recommend whitening first. That way, the material used in your dental restoration will match the lighter color of the teeth that surround it.

In some cases, your dentist might be able to redo past dental work to alter its shade. If you have questions about your smile and options for brightening it, talk to your dentist for a custom treatment plan.

For best results, be sure to schedule your routine dental cleaning before you start your whitening treatment. A hygiene appointment helps clear away any plaque or tartar that might be clinging to the surface of your teeth. This important step offers a smooth, clean surface for the whitening solution, promoting better, more uniform results.

Teeth whitening doesn’t last forever, but you can extend the life of your pearly white smile with a few simple tips.

• Keep up your dental routine. Brush twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste and floss once a day to maintain your oral health and preserve your whitening results.
• Schedule regular hygiene visits. At least every 6 months, schedule your visit to the dentist to keep up your bright smile. The exact frequency of your check-ups and cleanings will depend on your doctor’s recommendations.
• Avoid staining substances. Stay away from foods, drinks, and other substances that can discolor your teeth. Coffee, red wine, tobacco, and tea are all common culprits for tooth stains.

If you want to learn more about the right teeth whitening option for you, call our office to schedule an appointment. Our caring staff would love to help you navigate all your choices and land on a plan you feel great about.

Ready for a brighter smile? Contact us to get started with teeth whitening