Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a term that refers to various dental procedures used to lighten the color of your natural teeth.
Over time, your teeth become stained from the foods and drinks you consume or from smoking or using tobacco products.
Professional teeth whitening will remove those stains to improve your appearance and smile.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
There are two types of teeth whitening options.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening at our office will get your teeth whiter (up to eight shades whiter) and brighter faster than a DIY kit. The bleaching solution your dentist uses is much stronger than at-home kits.
When having your teeth whitened professionally, your dentist will apply a bleaching gel to their surface using a tray or brushing it on. That gel will help break down the discoloration and stains on your teeth, giving them a whiter appearance.
The dentist will let the bleaching gel sit on your teeth for about 30-60 minutes or so. Some dentists also use a special laser light to help activate and accelerate the bleaching process.
At-Home DIY Teeth Whitening Kits
The active ingredients in at-home DIY teeth whitening kits have a lower concentration of active ingredients. These kits aren’t as effective, don’t give you the same results, and don’t last as long as professional teeth whitening in your dentist’s office. Therefore, professional teeth whitening is the preferred method.
Benifits of Professional Teeth Whitening
- Professional teeth whitening gives you much better results than at-home DIY teeth whitening kits.
- Professional teeth whitening can be done quickly and easily in your dentist’s office.
- A whiter smile will give you more confidence and do away with your need to hide your smile.
- Professional teeth whitening is affordable.
- Professional teeth whitening is safe.
- Whiter teeth will enhance your appearance and give you a professional edge.
The Two Types of Tooth Discoloration
These are the two types of tooth discoloration.
Intrinsic – This is the internal discoloration of your teeth caused by a tooth injury, aging, certain medications, and health conditions.
Extrinsic – This is external discoloration caused by the foods and beverages you consume. Tobacco products and poor oral hygiene can also cause external discoloration.
How to Keep Your Teeth White After a Teeth Whitening Treatment
As you can probably guess, the best way to keep your teeth white after a teeth-whitening treatment is to avoid drinking coffee, black tea, and red wine, eating brightly colored fruits and vegetables like blueberries, and avoiding soy sauce, curries, etc.
Contact Rice Dental Arts – A Reputable Dentist in Bristol, TN
Rice Dental Arts has an exceptional team that is committed to providing you with personalized dental care in a warm and welcoming environment. We will take the time to listen to your concerns and goals. Then, we’ll provide you with a customized dental plan that best suits your needs.
If you want to have your teeth whitened or if you have some other dental concerns, please Contact Rice Dental Arts today. We will assist you in scheduling an exam and consultation that fits your schedule. We’d love to show you just how easy and affordable teeth whitening can be!