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If you’re looking for a whiter, brighter smile, teeth whitening treatments are an excellent option to consider.
There are different teeth whitening products on the market, and many methods can be tried at home.
You can also get professional teeth whitening at Yonge & Seven Dental Care.
If it’s your first time experiencing teeth whitening, you might have many questions, with the most common being: how does teeth whitening work?
Keep reading to discover the secrets behind this popular cosmetic treatment that has gained attention over the last ten years.
To understand how teeth whitening treatments work, it is important to first look at why teeth become stained.
To be clear, there are two types of stains.
Depending on the type you have, you can choose a whitening method that safely fits your type.
Stains in the enamel of your teeth are called intrinsic stains.
Intrinsic stains can be caused by using antibiotics, getting too much fluoride, or the natural thinning of tooth enamel as you age.
Extrinsic stains are discolorations on the surface of your teeth.
They happen because of things outside your body that change the color of your tooth enamel.
Common causes include drinks like coffee, wine and smoking.
Teeth whitening is based on a simple scientific method.
Most at-home whitening kits use a bleaching agent like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
These ingredients trigger an oxidation reaction that effectively breaks down the compounds that stain your teeth.
Some alternative methods use baking soda as a key component, which can help reduce surface stains.
In contrast, teeth whitening at the dentist’s office uses stronger active ingredients, which leads to faster and more noticeable results.
Over-the-counter whitening products, like toothpaste and mouthwash, often contain baking soda and charcoal, which act as gentle abrasives to help lift stains.
Some products also contain small amounts of carbamide and hydrogen peroxide.
Many of these products have fluoride, which helps strengthen tooth enamel and prevent future stains.
However, using these products too frequently can damage tooth enamel, which cannot heal itself naturally.
It’s best to check with your dentist about how to use it during your next appointment.
You can find all kinds of whitening kits online or at local shops.
They typically come with a gel that you apply directly to your teeth or in the form of strips.
Some more advanced kits even feature an LED light that activates the gel, speeding up the whitening process.
Many of these kits need you to put the whitening agent on your teeth and then wear a custom mouth guard.
This mouth guard keeps the whitening agent in place and helps your teeth absorb it better, while also protecting your gums from the solution.
You can also pick whitening strips that fit your teeth easily and stay on for a little while.
However, whitening kits often have lower levels of active ingredients than those used by dentists. In other words, it might take longer to see results.
Most users notice improvements after using the kit daily for a few weeks, typically within 2 to 4 weeks.
As mentioned above, if your stains are deep within the enamel, seeking a professional whitening treatment is the best path.
For quicker results, in-office whitening uses stronger active ingredients, giving noticeable improvements in less time.
During a bleaching treatment at the dentist’s office, a strong hydrogen peroxide solution is applied to your teeth for about 20 to 30 minutes.
In some cases, the office whitening process uses laser therapy as well.
You have the option to undergo one or multiple dental whitening sessions, and based on your needs, your dentist may recommend a custom whitening kit from their office to help you achieve even better results.
In-office whitening treatments tend to last longer, so they’re a solid investment if you want that perfect smile.
Teeth whitening treatments, along with veneers and dental crowns, are a top choice for people who want to improve their smile.
Teeth whitening is all about a chemical reaction that helps make your teeth brighter, while also making sure your enamel stays safe and in good shape.
But to protect your teeth, you follow the instructions for any at-home product.
And if you’re ever unsure about something, just talk with your dentist.
For a quicker and more long-lasting solution, you can also choose our in-office treatment if you’re in Toronto.
