A growing trend I see with my patients is the desire for whiter teeth. Many of my patients have discovered the remarkable and fast improvement in their smile through professional teeth whitening at my office. With teeth whitening, a person can regain their confidence with a better looking, brighter smile. The fact is, professional teeth whitening gives you the best bang for your buck to have a positive effect on other people.

How do teeth become white?

To understand how to make teeth whiter it is important to first understand what makes teeth look yellow and stained.
White teeth are a product of both genetics and care. People who are born with more enamel and whiter enamel will naturally have whiter looking teeth.

The primary factors that contribute to yellow and stained teeth directly relate to lifestyle choices. Patients who use tobacco products, such as cigarettes or chewing tobacco, have a high likelihood of stains. Certain beverages like coffee, tea, fountain drinks, grape juice, and red wine will yellow or stain teeth as well. Even foods like blueberries, cherries, soy sauce, and curry have been found to stain teeth.

Aging and thinning enamel are also common factors related to yellowing of the teeth. As your teeth age the hard coating, or enamel, can wear thin which lets the yellowish dentin show through, giving that yellowish look. Believe it or not the enamel on your teeth can be unintentionally worn thin through using a toothpaste with too much abrasive, toothbrushes with very hard bristles, and by scrubbing vigorously.

Whitening teeth is more about whitening the stains, both deep and surface level that are in your teeth. To avoid thinning your enamel over the lifetime of your teeth, please call our office at 817-380-3593 to find the right combination of toothpaste, toothbrush and brushing techniques for you.

What are the different teeth whitening options available?

As stated before, there are many common factors that cause yellowing and staining of the teeth. Patients today are easily confused by the many choices of teeth whitening products and services. Before experimenting on your own, I recommend setting an appointment at my office to have your teeth professionally examined and to discuss the best solution for your needs; every patient has unique teeth and a consultation can identify which procedure will give you the results you are looking for.

There are three ways you can go about teeth whitening. The first is a one-visit procedure provided at my office; the second is using custom trays with a gel solution at home; and the third is by visiting the dental products aisle at the local drug store. Teeth whitening products are categorized into two major groups: peroxide based whiteners or bleaching agents, and dentifrices, also know as whitening toothpastes.

Many teeth whitening solutions can be purchased over the counter; whitening strips, teeth whitening mouth rinses, and teeth whitening toothpaste. Other solutions include prescription strength whitening formulas with custom-fitted teeth trays, made from an impression of your teeth. And for immediate teeth whitening results in the Arlington area, I offer professional teeth whitening services at my office. Please call 817-380-3593.

What teeth whitening solutions are available over the counter?

Teeth whitening strips are thin, flexible strips that fit over the teeth. They come pre-coated in teeth whitening solutions and are typically worn for 30 minutes to one hour for several days in a row. Whitening strips are available at your local drug store and are affordable, but there are a few drawbacks; results can take many days to see, the strips are one size fits all so your teeth may not get the coverage they require, and most whitening strips are only capable of whitening surface stains.

Teeth whitening mouth rinses have become popular because of their availability and affordability. Most rinses recommend use prior to brushing, but each has its specific instructions. Recipes for “do it yourself” mouth rinses should generally be avoided because the primary content is Hydrogen Peroxide, a whitening agent that can damage oral tissues if improperly mixed.

Whitening toothpaste is formulated to whiten teeth and typically contains chemicals, like sodium tripolyphosphate, which are capable of breaking down stains. Whitening toothpaste mainly handles surface stains caused by coffee, tea, or cigarette smoke. I recommend whitening toothpaste to maintain levels of whiteness, but not for taking heavily stained teeth and making them significantly whiter.

Remember when choosing over the counter teeth whitening products, be sure to look for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval.

What professional teeth whitening solutions are available?

Your teeth can also be whitened with at-home trays and gels. At my office we regularly make custom-molded whitening trays for patients who would like better results than what over the counter products provide.

If after your consultation we find this is the best route for you we can make impressions that same day.

The benefits of custom fit teeth whitening trays are many. Custom fit trays offer patients an increased comfort level as well as a better fit. My patients who choose custom fit whitening trays find that their teeth get a deep level whitening. And the bleaching solutions for custom fit whitening trays come in a variety of concentrations. Patients with sensitive teeth can use a weaker concentration and, over time, will still get the desired result.

Laser teeth whitening is a safe whitening method performed in-office using peroxide bleaching agents and laser light. The bleaching agent is typically diluted to 35 percent potency and then the laser is used to heat up the peroxide solution and speed the chemical process needed to whiten teeth. Laser whitening treatments can take as little as 20 minutes and results can be seen immediately; with proper maintenance laser teeth whitening results can be sustained with regular care.

When will I start to see results?

Your results depend on which product or service you choose. In-office procedures provide immediate results; professional trays with gel provides results in about a week, and over the counter products give results after a few weeks of use. For a consultation on which product is right for your needs, I invite you to call my office at 817-380-3593 today.

Once I get my teeth whitened, what can I do to ensure my teeth stay white?

After going through the process of having your teeth whitened it is understandable that you will not want your teeth to yellow or darken again. Practicing proper oral hygiene is essential to maintain your whiter, brighter smile. This means flossing after meals, brushing twice a day and avoiding the staining foods and beverages mentioned earlier. Finally, having your teeth professionally cleaned twice each year will maintain clean, tartar free teeth that repel the staining effects of teas, coffees, and tobacco products.

You should invest in your smile. The confidence you’ll get from a brighter smile will be noticed each and every day. If you live in the Arlington or Mansfield area and would like whiter teeth, I invite you to schedule an appointment at my office. Please call me at 817-380-3593.