Teeth Whitening/Bleaching Dentists
The first thing people see is your smile. A bright, attractive smile will give you an advantage in job interviews, dating and self esteem. But what do you do if your teeth are stained? Thankfully there are several options for tooth whitening/bleaching available.
Your first impulse might be to reach for a tube of whitening toothpaste. If you have only very light yellowing, this might help. However the active ingredients in teeth whitening/bleaching toothpaste are at such a conservative level, they work better as a tool for maintaining white teeth once you get the stains removed.
You could use an over-the-counter tooth whitening/bleaching system, but you should know that there are risks if you do not use them properly. These risks include tooth sensitivity, gum inflammation and even damage to the roots of your teeth. There are some stains that will not respond to teeth whitening/bleaching such as stains from smoking, medication or illness. Yellowish stains are the easiest to remove, while grayish stains will be the most resistant. If you have bonding or tooth colored fillings,whitening will not work on these areas. Your teeth will be lightened, but the dental work will remain dingy. In this case, veneers may be necessary to correct the issue.
Teeth whitening dentists can be a valuable resource. Teeth whitening clinics offer a range of professional strength teeth whitening/bleaching services, and can ensure that your oral health is protected while you undergo your transformation.
One popular method is laser whitening/bleaching. In this procedure a whitening gel is applied to the teeth, and a laser is used to intensify the effect and penetrate teeth enamel. (Another variation of this method is a non laser, light activated tooth whitening/bleaching gel.) These are only available from teeth whitening dentists, and can be a little pricy. But for extremely stubborn stains, it may be worth the investment.
Another option from teeth whitening dentists is a customized whitening tray. This is a professional strength whitening/bleaching tool, crafted by a dentists for an exact fit in your mouth. The tray is applied at home, usually for a specified period of time each day, with the effects seen after a week or so. This method takes longer, but is often less expensive.
Whether you decide to bleach at home, or use professional services, an initial visit to a dentist is recommended before you start any tooth whitening/bleaching regime.