Teeth whitening is a very popular type of cosmetic dentistry where there are several types of treatments to whiten teeth in a way best for your dental needs. You’ve likely seen many at-home teeth whitening products, but in this article, we’ll focus more on the types of in-office teeth whitening that your dentist can perform for you. 

Why Whiten?

Before we discuss your whitening options, why would your teeth need to be whitened in the first place? Each tooth has a protective layer called enamel and it’s designed to stop the harmful effects of acid, sugar, chewing, and gnashing, but it’s worn down with time. As it wears down, it becomes more transparent which allows the natural core material of the tooth to show, and that color is yellow. Beyond the tooth’s core color showing, cracks in the enamel allow for stains and debris to set in which robs your teeth of their bright white. 

Generally, there are two categories of tooth staining that create tooth discoloration:

Intrinsic teeth stains: These tooth stains are on the inside of the teeth, caused by aging, trauma to the tooth, minerals like tetracycline, or excessive fluoride. 

Extrinsic teeth stains: These are the stains that are on the surface of the tooth and come from dark-color beverages, foods, smoking, and the everyday wear and tear. Usually, these types of teeth stains can be removed with brushing and dental cleaning as they are more superficial.

Specific causes of tooth discoloration and the need for dental whitening include:

• Age, teeth darken as a result of wear and tear, as well as stain accumulation
• Translucency and thinness, a genetic trait that causes the teeth to have less pigment. 
• Smoking and eating, many foods can cause staining over the years like red wine, coffee, soda, carrots, oranges, and acidic foods can cause enamel erosion. If a smoker, nicotine leaves brownish deposits that slowly soak into the tooth and cause intrinsic discoloration. 
• Grinding, can cause micro-cracks and the edges of a tooth to darken
• Tooth trauma, injuries to the tooth can create large cracks where stains and debris can collect in them.

Tooth Whitening vs. Teeth Bleaching

When people consider having teeth whitening done, they are surprised to learn that there is a difference between bleaching teeth and whitening them. Bleaching means that the teeth are whitened beyond their natural color and applies only to products that contain bleach in the whitening treatment, such as hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. The two chemicals work in different timetables, for example, hydrogen peroxide is often used in a dental office because it’s fast-acting and powerful. You’ll likely find carbamide peroxide with at-home teeth whitening products or a teeth whitening kit because it’s slower-acting. 

Whitening refers to any treatment that restores the tooth’s surface color by removing the dirt and debris from the tooth. By that definition, run-of-the-mill toothpaste could be considered teeth whiteners. While it’s true that both bleaching and whitening are used interchangeably, it’s good information to know when discussing options with your dentist to ensure you’re getting what you want. 

Teeth Whitening Treatment Options

While there are three major options for teeth whitening, we’ll forgo discussing the over-the-counter teeth whiteners and discuss the two options you have at a dental office:

In-office Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening provided by your dentist at their office is the fastest way to whiten your teeth. The dentist will first place a rubber dam that is painted on the gums to protect them and then use a high-concentration peroxide gel that is applied to the teeth. The gel sits on the teeth in 15 to 20-minute intervals that altogether add up to an hour. While this usually takes care of all the stains affecting your smile, sometimes a follow-up treatment will be given if there is a stubborn stain or two.

Professional Home Teeth Whitening

There are professional teeth whitening products only available through your dentist that you’re able to take home. The home whitening kit uses a lower concentration peroxide gel that can be left to sit for an hour or longer, including overnight using custom-made bleaching trays, like a mouth guard. 

No matter which type of teeth whitening you and your dentist agree is best, whitening your teeth can boost your self-esteem and recapture that bright smile. 

If you’re interested in having your teeth whitened, we have numerous payment options available and if you have dental benefits, we will submit your claims on your behalf. We also welcome cash, Visa, MasterCard, and e-Transfer payment methods to help make the dentist visit as pain-free as possible.

If you have any questions or concerns about our dental services or would like to schedule an appointment, you can call us at 780-705-9866 or contact us here.

Having whiter teeth is a goal many people have, and it’s no wonder why so many scour the internet looking for solutions. There are so many kinds of toothpaste, foods, drinks, types of mouthwash, and other products that offer relief from stains or yellow hues, it’s dizzying to think about which ones are right for you. 

In an attempt to help people get the color they want for their teeth, we’ve assembled some helpful ways to whiten teeth naturally, as well as methods dentists use to whiten teeth cosmetically. Let’s start with helpful tips you can use at your home.

How to Whiten Teeth Naturally

Brushing Your Teeth

It’s a bit of a no-brainer, but it really does work. Brushing your teeth daily is the best way to whiten your teeth and prevent stains from sticking. If your teeth are already a bit yellowish for your liking, brushing a bit more often isn’t a bad idea, in fact, it can help! A helpful tip for frequent brushers, don’t brush immediately after eating acidic foods or drinks, which can cause erosion of your teeth and the enamel. So don’t feel the need to rush to your toothbrush as soon as you’ve finished your meal. 

The Ol’ Baking Soda

Ever wonder why baking soda is in so many kinds of toothpaste? That’s because it helps to remove stains from the surface of your teeth without being harsh to them. Some home tips call for hydrogen peroxide to be mixed with baking soda, in which case you get a paste to brush with. Forewarning, though: pure hydrogen peroxide can be a bit too harsh on your gums. 

Cosmetic Dentistry to Whiten Teeth

Home tips are great and all, but they can take quite some time before you see any difference. The other option is to see your oral health professional for some cosmetic dentistry. Going to your dentist is a speedier process with the added benefit of being under supervision while your teeth reclaim their bright white. Here is what to expect if choosing to lighten your smile at the dental office:

• Be prepared for a 60 to 90 meeting appointment
• Before beginning the teeth whitening process, your dentist will record the current shade of your teeth
• Your teeth will be polished with pumice, which is a grainy material that removes any plaque on the surface of your teeth.
• Be prepared for a dry mouth, your dentist will use gauze and retractors to help keep your teeth dry and to keep the rest of the mouth away from the whitening solution.
• Your teeth will be coated in a whitening solution, usually either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Both are good bleaching agents.
• Depending on the product your dentist uses to whiten your teeth, they may use a curing light or laser to activate the peroxide. Once that is done, you’ll be sitting around for half an hour to an hour to let the solutions work their magic.
• Once the best shade for your teeth is reached or the maximum time is met, your teeth will be rinsed. 
• To help with any teeth sensitivity, your dentist may apply fluoride. Don’t worry, tooth sensitivity is common after having your teeth whitened.
• If the optimum shade isn’t reached in one visit, your dentist will want to schedule a follow-up appointment to help further whiten your teeth. 

Depending on your dentist, they may have a do-it-yourself teeth whitening kit. If you’re not wanting or are unable to hang around the dental office for 90 minutes, be sure to ask your dentist if this is an option for you. 

Whitened Teeth is a Brighter Smile

The best way to help prevent a yellowed smile is to brush regularly and see your dentist at least once a year. There is no better treatment than ongoing oral care. If you are in need of a dental check-up or looking for how to whiten your teeth, Dr. Li is available to restore your smile. We have numerous payment options available, and if you have dental benefits, we submit your claims on your behalf. We also accept cash, Visa, MasterCard, and e-Transfer payment methods to help make your visit as quick and pain-free as possible.

If you have any questions or concerns about our dental services or would like to schedule an appointment, you can call us at 587-801-1939 or contact us here.

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures because it can help restore confidence in your smile. Some patients might feel embarrassed about wanting to undergo a teeth whitening procedure, and we hope we can help you understand that teeth whitening is very common, and many people do it!

We assure you that there is nothing to be ashamed of. Teeth whitening is a great way to remove stubborn stains that most people will encounter over the course of their lives.

Discoloration in your teeth may be caused by:

• Tobacco use
• Aging
• Side effects from certain medication
• Consumption of coffee, tea, wine and other deeply pigmented food and drink
• Poor dental hygiene due to lack of preventative dental care
• Many other reasons that may be beyond your control

It’s important to understand that not all teeth can be whitened, and there are many health factors that will determine if tooth whitening is right for you. In cases where teeth whitening will not be effective, dental veneers might be a suitable alternative for brightening your smile.

How to Whiten Teeth

Teeth whitening can be performed in several ways, and a qualified teeth whitening dentist can help you make a decision based on your health history and whitening goals. The three most common ways to whiten teeth are:

In-Office with the help of Dr. Li and our friendly team

Teeth whitening can be performed in the office and is the fastest method of whitening teeth. In-office teeth whitening is performed through the use of high concentrations of bleaching gel in precise applications. This form of teeth whitening is not permanent, and patients may need to book follow up appointments to keep their teeth white over time.

Custom made trays that contain teeth whitening gel

Teeth whitening trays work by gradually whitening teeth over time through the use of teeth whitening gel applied to a tray that is custom-fit to a patient’s mouth. The whitening gel used in our take home trays is professional strength and more powerful than teeth whitening products you find at a store.

Over the counter teeth whitening kits

There are many teeth whitening kits and strips available over the counter at pharmacies and other retail outlets. Because there are so many brands available, it can be difficult to know which teeth whitening kit is best for you. We suggest that you speak with Dr. Li and our care team to understand your options and which teeth whitening method will be most effective for you.

Find Out the Best Way to Whiten Your Teeth

When you meet with Dr. Li and our friendly care team, we will review your dental health history and fully examine your teeth to determine if you are a candidate for teeth whitening. Dr. Li will explain which teeth whitening method might be most effective for you, and will take the time to answer all of your questions.

We understand that going to the dentist can sometimes be stressful, and we’re committed to making you feel comfortable and relaxed. 

To book a teeth whitening consultation, fill out our convenient online form, or call us at 780-705-9866.