Brightening Your Smile: Effective Teeth Whitening Techniques

Research shows that having a brighter smile can provide numerous benefits, for both your personal and you professional life. Fortunately, a number of teeth whitening techniques are now available to provide more patient options than ever before.  

Why are My Teeth Yellow?

Naturally, our teeth start to yellow as we age as the outer layer of enamel becomes thinner and the inner layer of your teeth become darker. However, regularly consuming things like coffee, tea, soft drinks, tobacco, and even some medicines can cause your teeth to yellow or stain much faster.

At-Home Teeth Whitening Products

Teeth-whitening toothpaste

Whitening toothpastes typically whiten teeth by combining the action of two main ingredients: abrasive ingredients that polish your teeth along with hydrogen peroxide bleaching agents that lighten the color of your teeth. Some whitening toothpastes contain blue covarine, a chemical that creates the illusion of whiter teeth quickly.  

Teeth-whitening gels

Gel whitening products contain peroxide, which often makes them more effective than teeth-whitening toothpaste. Peroxide gels need to be in contact with the enamel of your tooth for a long period of time in order to be most effective, so the gel is usually applied with a tray, similar to a mouth guard, to keep the gel in place.

Teeth-whitening strips

Teeth-whitening strips use the same peroxide ingredient to effectively whiten teeth in a short amount of time. They’re usually made with a thin, flexible plastic with an adhesive to stick to your teeth, making them a more convenient way to whiten your teeth compared to gel.

Professional Teeth Whitening

Cosmetic dentists like Dr. Sabour offer teeth whitening as part of their smile services. These teeth-whitening methods provided by your dentist are more effective than anything you can buy over the counter, as your dentist can use a stronger peroxide bleaching agent. In fact, in-office whitening can make your teeth up to eight shades lighter and provide results that last up to 18 months.  

KöR Teeth Whitening

Many dentists now use KöR Teeth Whitening treatments, which uses a high potency gel applied in a tray that patients can take home with them to wear continuously for long periods of time for maximum results. These whitening treatments also typically come with a desensitizing solution applied to the teeth and gums ahead of time to ensure comfort during and after the treatment.

Take-home kits

Your dentist may also provide you with a take-home teeth whitening kit to achieve whiter teeth or to maintain your results from professional teeth whitening. These kids typically include dental-grade whitening agents and a convenient tray.  

If you have severely discolored or stained teeth that cannot be whitened, your dentist may suggest other options, such as porcelain veneers or dental crowns.  

For more tips on getting your teeth as white as they can be, contact The Dental Studio in Flower Mound, TX for a consultation!

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