Studies show that individuals with brighter and whiter teeth are seen as more friendly, successful, and attractive. Those with stained teeth are perceived as less confident and not as capable. Whether or not these assumptions are true about the individual, the impact that a healthy white smile can have on your personal and professional life should not be ignored. Let’s address how teeth whitening works and what it can do for you.
The two types of whitening
- Bleaching: When you bleach your teeth you alter the color of the tooth enamel and diminish the appearance of stains both on the surface and deeper in the teeth. Dentists provide in office whitening services or take came whitening kits.
- Whitening toothpastes: These types of toothpastes utilize an abrasive ingredient that will sand away surface stains and provide a polished look to your teeth.
Bleaching
If you opt for an in office bleaching treatment, the dentist may use bleach combined with a laser or special light to hasten the whitening process. These visits can take from 30 minutes up to an hour. Depending on the severity of your teeth discoloration, you may require more than one in office whitening treatment. During the whitening process, the gums will be guarded with a gel or shield. A bleach concentrate will be carefully placed on your teeth and is typically stronger than at home whitening kits.
Over the counter whitening kits generally have a lower bleach concentration than in office whitening treatments. For at home whitening products, the amount of bleach and how long you apply it vary from brand to brand. Bleach products can work well on yellowish teeth. For those with gray colored teeth, bleaching may not be as effective.
Whitening is not permanent, but there are measures you can take to avoid the accumulation of more stains. Avoid foods and beverages that cause stains such as coffee or red wine. Also, be sure to regularly get your teeth cleaned and polished by your dentist.
Arrange a consultation
If you are interested in what teeth whitening can do for you smile this New Year, contact Broadway Family Dentistry in Minot, North Dakota. You can reach our team at (701) 839-1299. We look forward to helping you achieve a whiter and more confident smile this year!
