Although the phrase “teeth whitening” sounds self-explanatory, the huge array of options that phrase denotes tends to intimidate people. Teeth whitening can be done at home or at a dentist’s office, with a tray or a strip. What teeth whitening techniques are available to you, and which best fit your individual dental situation?
You already conduct teeth whitening on a daily basis when you brush your teeth. The term “teeth whitening” technically means simply cleaning out the natural minimalistic cracks in your teeth’s enamel (think of them as pores for your teeth), where waste commonly gathers. Teeth bleaching, on the other hand, means brightening your teeth’s shade past its natural bright glow using such bleaching agents as hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. Toothpaste is a tool for teeth whitening.
You can further brighten your teeth using such self-use methods available at any grocery store or pharmacy: paint-on applicators, bleaching trays and whitening strips are the most common. Some dentists say the paint-on applications are ineffective. The bleaching trays and whitening strips require you to leave them on your teeth for a dictated amount of time, then remove them, and repeat the process daily or weekly to maintain a bright smile.
Your local cosmetic dentist can also offer you a teeth whitening tray – more effective, since it’s molded specifically to your teeth – or an in-house teeth whitening session, when a dental hygienist will directly apply the bleaching agent to your teeth.
For further exploration of which whitening or bleaching process best suits your individual lifestyle and dental set, discuss your options with a qualified cosmetic dentist. For example, San Antonio’s Culebra North Dental Care offers free consultations to new customers, allowing you to get educated about your teeth’s potential for free before making any potentially expensive decisions. Call today to schedule your free appointment.