How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Nothing puffs up confidence like a picture-perfect smile. The flash of a Hollywood smile can light up a room. That’s why we see countless people in our offices seeking ways to brighten their smiles. More than ever, people have become more enlightened on the oral health and aesthetic benefits of teeth whitening in Gillette.

Teeth whitening is not only a symbol of beauty, but it exudes health and youthful vigor. It might come as a shock to you to consider teeth whitening more than an aesthetic treatment. But remember, our dentist performs teeth whitening as the jewel that crowns a healthy smile. In other words, teeth whitening will not be performed unless other dental issues are dealt with.

So, are you interested to find out more about teeth whitening? If you are, dive right in!

What Is the Most Effective Way to Whiten Teeth?

Teeth whitening near you is not a new cosmetic treatment; ask the Egyptians. Teeth whitening has a long history and has been improving for centuries. You might have come across various ways of whitening stained teeth that range from professional teeth whitening to natural remedies.

Since millions of people are seeking methods of whitening their teeth, companies will continue to mass-produce products with the hope that they might meet the demand. Some of the methods of whitening teeth are:

Home Teeth Whitening Options

The home teeth whitening options apply the DIY-based approach. Most of the teeth whitening products that fall under this category will be found at your local stores, and they will include:

• Whitening Gels

You can apply these bleaching agents directly on your teeth using an applicator (brush). You will have to follow the instructions to prevent unwanted side effects.

• Whitening Strips

These are thin strips that are soaked in a bleaching agent. The strips contain instructions that will help you use them as you should. However, the results might not be as expected or inconsistent and will be noticeable after several applications.

• Tray-Based Whiteners

Tray-based whiteners resemble mouthguards. The package comes with a bleaching agent, which you will place in the whitening tray and then wear for a specified amount of time. However, whitening trays that you buy at the stores are usually one-size-fits-all. Therefore, you can expect inconsistent results.

• Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste will contain mild abrasives and some bleaching agents to remove the surface stain. The results might not be immediate, so you will have to use the whitening toothpaste for some time before you realize the desired outcome.

Professional Teeth Whitening

On the other hand, you have the option of receiving teeth whitening treatment from our office. That’s why the procedure is often referred to as in-office teeth whitening.

Professional teeth whitening is the best and most effective teeth whitening option as compared to the other options. Our dentist in Gillette, WY, is the one who will perform the procedure.

The whitening procedure will take about one hour. Our dentist will place the whitening agent, which is almost five times more concentrated than the other home teeth whitening agents.

Our dentist can regulate the amount used to produce the desired shade. So, your smile will be a few shades brighter after one hour. The results are instant, the procedure is safe, and an expert performs it. Therefore, there is no more effective teeth whitening procedure than professional teeth whitening.

Does Teeth Whitening Damage Your Teeth?

The process of bleaching teeth is not complex. However, there are precautions that our dentist undertakes to ensure you enjoy the procedure.

So, there is a protective material that our dentist will place in your mouth that covers the soft tissues, such as gums, cheeks and lips. The next step will be applying the bleaching agent, usually carbamide or hydrogen peroxide.

The teeth readily absorb the bleaching agent since it goes through the pores into the teeth. The process temporarily weakens the tooth, which explains why you will feel discomfort hours or days after the treatment. Once the bleaching agent reaches the inner parts of the teeth, it will release the free radicals, which break down the stains leading to a brighter smile.

Tooth sensitivity is one of the main issues most people complain about after the procedure. In most cases, this is temporary because of the weakening of the enamel. But this subsides after some days.

Teeth whitening cannot damage your teeth unless it is repeatedly done over short intervals because it could cause certain oral health issues, such as worn-down enamel. Professional teeth whitening should be done periodically, like once a year, depending on the state of your teeth and how long the results last.

We Are Here For You

In any case, you can always ask us anything about your dental health. So, contact us today at Mountain West Dental if you need teeth whitening.