When your teeth have stains from drinking colored beverages or eating foods with pigments, such as chocolates and tomatoes, you can use teeth whitening services offered by a dentist in Greenville, SC. Teeth whitening helps improve the look of your smile by removing the stains that accumulate on your teeth’s enamel. Depending on the level of whiteness that you prefer to achieve, your dentist can recommend several different teeth whitening procedures.
Take-Home Trays
Many dentists offer customized trays that you can take home and apply to your teeth at any time that is convenient to you. The trays will be made just for you and come with a tube of a bleaching solution. It’s important that you follow the instructions given to you by your dentist to a tee. Usually, your dentist will tell you how to insert the gel into the tray and how to affix the tray to your teeth. Your dentist will also tell you how long to leave the tray in place.
Professional Carbamide Peroxide Whitening
Dentists also offer in-office whitening procedures with two different types of bleaching products. Carbamide peroxide is a professional-grade bleaching solution. Your dentist will use a product with a 15 to 43 percent concentration of the carbamide peroxide. This is about twice the strength of over-the-counter teeth whitening products. You will be relaxed in the dentist’s chair while the trays containing the bleaching gel are applied to your teeth. Your teeth can be lightened by up to six shades with this in-office procedure.
Prescription Whitening Pastes and Rinses
Your dentist may also offer prescription-strength whitening toothpaste or mouth rinses. If your teeth are only lightly stained, these products may be sufficient for you to use on their own. You may also be able to use these products between in-office or at-home teeth whitening procedures. These products contain about 3 percent hydrogen peroxide or the equivalent concentration of carbamide peroxide.
Keeping Your Teeth White
After undergoing a teeth whitening procedure, you will need to make a few lifestyle changes to keep your teeth white. You may need to avoid coffee, tea, and other dark foods and drinks. You will also need to come in for regular cleanings to ensure your teeth remain white longer.
Sources:
In-Office Teeth Whitening: Professional Advantages, Costs and Options, Your Dentistry Guide
What Tooth Whitening Method Is Best for Me? Colgate
Teeth Whitening, WebMD.com
