How Teeth Whitening May Improve Your Smile

Teeth whitening treatments are an effective way to improve the color of your teeth significantly. These treatments consist of using chemicals with bleaching properties like hydrogen carbamide or hydrogen peroxide to remove stains from the inner and outer layers of teeth.

The types of stains teeth whitening treatments are effective on include the yellow stains teeth pick up due to aging, stains caused by foods and beverages, and stains caused by tobacco use. Teeth whitening treatments are not effective on some types of stains like those caused by tooth decay, fluorosis, and tetracycline antibiotics. These treatments will not whiten dental restorations like crowns or veneers.

There are countless teeth whitening products that can be purchased from grocery stores, drug stores, and online marketplaces, but none of these are as concentrated as the powerful bleaching agents used for professional whitening treatments performed by dentists. These products lead to drastically improved results, and the typical session improves the color of the patient’s teeth by up to eight shades. Dentists can also provide their patients with at-home whitening kits that are more concentrated than anything sold over the counter.

How teeth whitening treatments work

As was mentioned earlier, the bleaching agents in whitening products remove stains from the inner and outer layers of teeth. According to WebMD, the products used for in-office whitening treatments typically contain somewhere between 15 to 43% hydrogen carbamide or hydrogen peroxide, while the kits dentists provide for at-home whitening treatments contain up to 20%.

These bleaching agents react with stains in and on a person’s teeth, oxidizing them away. Generally speaking, the longer these whitening products are kept on a person’s teeth, the whiter their teeth will be. Also, the more concentrated a whitening product is, the shorter it should be left on teeth since the bleaching agents in them weaken enamel. Leaving teeth exposed to these bleaching agents for prolonged periods can lead to teeth being dehydrated and increased sensitivity.

A custom mouth tray is typically used to administer teeth whitening treatments. It prevents the bleaching products from getting into gum tissues and causing irritation. It also keeps the patient’s teeth evenly coated with the whitening product during their treatment. The mouth tray is made from an impression of the patient’s mouth in a dental lab. The process takes about two weeks.

During each treatment session, the patient sits in a treatment chair and they are asked to bite down on a mouth tray that has been filled with a whitening product. The patient keeps the tray in their mouth for 60 to 90 minutes to complete the session. Their teeth should be noticeably whiter at that point.

Some patients get their desired shade of white after a single treatment, while others might need follow-up sessions to get there. For most people, dentists recommend aiming for a few shades whiter than the white of their eyes for natural-looking, whiter teeth.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Teeth Whitening in Lilburn, GA

Whiter teeth lead to a better smile

Ready to get rid of stains and discoloration on your teeth? Call or visit our Lilburn clinic to learn more about how teeth whitening treatments can improve the color of your teeth.

Request an appointment or call Lilburn Family Dentistry at 770-800-0178 for an appointment in our Lilburn office.

Recent Posts

What Does A Dentist Recommend For Teeth Whitening

A dentist recommends teeth whitening for patients that have mild to moderate teeth stains. They use a peroxide bleach that can safely target and remove stains on visible front teeth, improving the color and shade of your smile. The following is a discussion of professional teeth whitening and how to determine if treatment is right…

Side Effects Of Teeth Whitening Treatments

The potential side effects of teeth whitening include teeth sensitivity, gum irritation, and ineffective results. However, most patients do not experience any notable side effects from professional teeth whitening, as the dentist can monitor the process and perform treatment in a way that minimizes risk.Dentists take every precaution possible to minimize the risk of teeth…

Improve The Color Of Your Teeth With Teeth Whitening Treatments

Teeth whitening treatments can get you noticeably whiter teeth in less than an hour. They are one of the most popular cosmetic treatments and involve using compounds with bleaching properties like hydrogen carbamide or hydrogen peroxide to take off stains from the outer and inner layers of your teeth.There are numerous ways to go about…

Dr. Jalpa Dave

Share
Published by
Dr. Jalpa Dave

Recent Posts

What to Do When You Have a Broken Tooth: Expert Dental Advice

Having a broken tooth can be a stressful situation, but it does not need to…

4 days ago

Oral Hygiene Basics: Good Habits To Maintain

Keeping up with oral hygiene basics can prevent cavities and other issues with your teeth.…

7 days ago

Oral Hygiene Basics: The Importance of Cleaning Your Tongue

Brushing and flossing are essential oral hygiene basics that help prevent tooth decay and gum…

2 weeks ago

Oral Hygiene Basics: What Are Tartar and Plaque?

Although many people believe that plaque and tartar are the same, they actually have significant…

3 weeks ago

3 Questions to Ask Your Dentist About Oral Hygiene Basics

When you visit the dentist, you expect to get your teeth cleaned and learn the…

4 weeks ago

Oral Hygiene Basics: Try to Stop Gum Disease Before it Starts

Chronic or severe gum disease can lead to infections, loose teeth, and eventually permanent tooth…

1 month ago