There are many cosmetic procedures that a cosmetic dentist can perform, among them being teeth whitening. Brightening your smile can be achieved by paying a visit to your dentist or by purchasing the available home remedies and doing it yourself. You do not need to change your habits to whiten your teeth. Replacing your toothpaste with a whitening one can gradually whiten your teeth. By using the whitening mouthwash, trying strips, trays or whitening pens, you can improve your oral hygiene and the color of your teeth. There are also some chewing gums that whiten teeth especially for individuals who love chewing after meals. Some beverages such as wine, tea, and coffee may discolor your teeth, but a cosmetic dentist can whiten your teeth easily.
Some of the recommended teeth whitening procedures approved by cosmetic dentists at Pearl Dentistry in Charlotte include:
1. In-Office Whitening
In this process, you will have to visit a dentist so that a special gel can be applied to your teeth. It usually takes approximately thirty minutes for the gel to work. Since the gel may cause sensitivity to some individuals, the dentists could recommend some of the desensitizing toothpaste that you can use on your teeth for a period of time after the appointment. In-office whitening procedures may take a few appointments and your dentist can give you mouth trays that have weaker gels in order to enhance the whitening process at home.
2. At-Home Whitening
This is a method that is similar to the in-office whitening, but the teeth whitening is done at home using a mild whitening gel. You are supposed to wear the custom trays for about an hour in every session and you should stop using them after the teeth have reached the shade that you desire. Just like the in-office method, the dentist can recommend a desensitizing toothpaste.
Over the counter strips is another method that can be used for the home whitening procedure. The strips are applied for about an hour on a daily basis. This method is best for the teeth that are straight since the plastic whitening strips are supposed to touch the surface of each tooth completely. Whitening strips are however more expensive than the whitening toothpaste, which is the next method that we shall look at.
3. Whitening Toothpaste
Making visits to the dentist is essential so as to remove stains and plaque which develops after a period of time, however using whitening toothpaste can assist in the whitening process daily. The ingredients in a majority of toothpaste on the market today can scrub your teeth gently and get rid of stains. Therefore, using it between the whitenings and dental cleanings is a very good idea.
Most patients prefer the whitening toothpaste as their method of whitening their teeth. The advantage of using the whitening toothpaste is that it has components that strengthen both your teeth and keep your gums healthy. To get a whiter smile using this method, you should always follow the product’s instructions. When looking for whitening toothpaste, ensure it has met the American Dental Association standards by checking if it has the ADA seal of acceptance for your safety and best results.
4. Enamel Protection
The enamel is a hard substance that cannot repair itself after any breakdown since it does not have any living cells. Oral diseases usually make the enamel weak and prone to stains and that why protecting it is so important. Most kinds of toothpaste contain fluoride that strengthens the enamel against wear and tear caused by acidic beverages and foods, and thus, teeth can stay whiter for some time.
5. Dairy Products
Foods that contain high amounts of calcium such as cheese and yogurt can help keep teeth white. The advantage of eating dairy products is that they provide teeth with calcium that keeps teeth strong and helps in getting rid of food stains.
6. Using Crunchy Produce
Carrying a tube of toothpaste everywhere you go is not all that logical. You can, however, get the white shade of teeth you desire away from your sink. Some of the veggies and fruits such as apples, cherries, and carrots have a natural abrasive that discolor your teeth.
Using any of these methods can enhance your smile but always consult with a dental hygienist or a dentist to be guaranteed the best results.
Check out some of our tips to improve your teeth whitening at home by visiting our blog.
Contact our office to learn more about teeth whitening at Pearl Dentistry today!
