Have you noticed how the bad guy in the movies has yellow teeth, but somehow the hero has white teeth? Even though our teeth are not naturally white, dark teeth don’t cause a good impression on other people. It may be a sign of bad habits, such as smoking or poor oral hygiene.
It is for this reason that we will discuss how teeth whitening near you can improve your appearance.
Let’s start by reviewing the causes of darker teeth:
- Antibiotics – Some antibiotics, such as the tetracycline, stain your teeth.
- Dental trauma – After a tooth injury, it may get darker because of the internal bleeding.
- Smoking – Smoking tobacco or using it in any of its forms may stain your teeth over time.
- Pigmented foods – Colored foods and drinks, such as red wine, coffee, and chocolate, stain your dentition.
- Aging – As you age, the enamel gets thinner and thinner, and the underlying dentin shows more. The dentin is naturally yellowish; therefore, your teeth will look yellower as you get older.
As you can tell, many things discolor our teeth, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. Teeth whitening in Okotoks may be your solution.
What Is Teeth
Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure that
our cosmetic dentist in Okotoks performs to whiten your teeth. They do so with
a bleaching agent, which can be carbamide or hydrogen peroxide.
Professional Teeth
Whitening
If you decide to undergo teeth whitening in a dental
office, here’s what you can expect:
Your cosmetic dentist near you will choose a shade of
white that matches the rest of your teeth. Afterward, they will retract your
cheeks and lips for better vision.
Next, they will apply the bleaching agent with a brush
or a pen on the front surface of your teeth and let it act for about 20
minutes. They may activate the product with a special light. After that, they
will wash it off, dry your teeth, and apply the peroxide a second time.
Finally, they will wash it away, dry, and you will be
ready to show your whiter smile to the world.
The benefit of in-office teeth whitening is that your cosmetic dentist does it in a single appointment, it may last up to three years with proper care, and your dental professional is right there to manage any complications.
Dental
whitening is a safe procedure, but you may experience tooth sensitivity. Your
cosmetic dentist may use a desensitizing gel to make you feel better.
At-home Teeth Whitening
Another
option to whiten your teeth is to do so from the comfort of your house. Your
dental professional will give you whitening trays that you will use with the
bleaching agent to make your teeth whiter. The frequency of use will depend on
how white you want your teeth to be and on your sensitivity.
It is a
less expensive method because your dental professional doesn’t invest so much
time in it and because it achieves results in about two weeks.
Other Options
There are
over-the-counter products to whiten your teeth; however, we don’t recommend
them because they may harm your teeth and gums if not used carefully. We
strongly suggest that you visit a dental professional before choosing a
whitening method.
If you have any other questions, feel free to contact
our dental offices. We have a team of caring specialists that look forward to
helping you improve your smile.
You may schedule a consultation visit at your earliest
convenience to determine if you qualify for teeth whitening. Many factors
impact this decision, but our experts will guide you through the process.