05 Oct So you say you want white teeth? …West Kelowna Whitening Solutions
Whitening Your Sensational Smile
We often think of healthy teeth as having a bright, white smile. There are many reasons your grin can have more of a yellow or greyish tinge and definitely not pass the “tissue test” as the TV commercial shows (where people compare their smile to bleached paper products). Certain foods and beverages including red wine, nicotine, green and black tea, and coffee are among the top contenders for staining our pearly whites. However, many other factors including medication, mouth trauma, and aging can dramatically dull your smile. True Dental in West Kelowna has some fantastic tooth whitening options to help you revitalize your grin and remove those pesky surface stains!
2 Fast Facts About A White Smile
1. Stains don’t disappear overnight
No product on the market works within a few minutes or even within 24 hours. Chemically, it’s impossible for this to happen safely.
The truth is, a safe whitening process can take up to several months to work. This is especially true if you have severe teeth staining. Results can be expected within a few days to a few weeks for less severe staining.
But breathe easy, the results you want are easy to maintain after the stains are gone!
2. Yellow Teeth Have Many Different Causes
Yellow stains on the teeth can be caused by:
- Your diet;
- Aging;
- Smoking; and
- Poor oral hygiene habits.
It’s important that you work out what’s causing your yellow teeth before you start your treatment. The causes can affect the best course of treatment and the likely results.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a chemical process that removes stains from your teeth. Contrary to the name, it doesn’t do anything to the colouring of your tooth – other than removing the staining.
Most teeth whitening kits contain hydrogen peroxide. This chemical can be damaging to your oral health if used incorrectly.
Why Choose Professional Teeth Whitening?
Not everyone can achieve perfectly white teeth. Your tooth’s natural colouring and genetic makeup might mean that white teeth are not realistic for you.
All teeth whitening treatments can do is work to remove the stains on your teeth. It can’t change your DNA.
Consulting with a dentist and choosing professional teeth whitening means you’ll get access to advice about the best (and safest) way to remove your stains. Making achieving that bright, white smile more realistic than if you go it alone using over-the-counter products.
This is especially important if you have fillings, crowns or extremely dark stains, or if you’ve had a root canal treatment. Whitening agents may not be appropriate and could even be damaging for people who have had these tooth treatments in the past.
Read more about professional teeth whitening here.
Is it safe to whiten your teeth?
The Canadian Dental Association says:
“Clinical studies support the safety and effectiveness of home-use bleaching gels when used appropriately”.
So, yes whitening your teeth can be safe. But they do need to be used correctly.
Consulting with your dentist will increase your chances of safely achieving that white smile.
Which Staining Protocol Will Deliver You the Best Results?
Some staining situations will not respond to traditional whitening measures.
It is wise to book a consultation appointment with us to determine the cause and type of staining you are trying to amend and then we can make a professional recommendation.
Certain restorations including caps, veneers, crowns or fillings will not accept the whitening agent. Teeth that have become discoloured from tooth injury or medication will also not see any change.
Custom veneers may be an option for clients that desire a brighter smile who are not candidates for regular whitening products.
Your options for teeth whitening are:
Surface Whiteners
Surface whitening products contain abrasives designed to gently remove light staining. These fine particles are typically found in specialty toothpaste or chewing gums. They are unlikely to cause excessive tooth wear and tear.
However, these items should not be considered as a substitute for professional whitening and offer less dramatic results overall.
Peroxide-Based Bleaches
These are extremely strong bleaching products that are only administered chairside for ultimate client safety and comfort.
We protect the gums, lips and surrounding tissue with a special gel coating to ensure the whitening product stays on the teeth and does not cause any discomfort. The whitening agent becomes activated with a special light and the entire procedure takes approximately 45 min to 1 hour.
Custom Whitening Trays for At Home
Another excellent option is to have custom trays made to the specific fit of your mouth. True Dental sends you home with complete instructions and a peroxide-based gel that is less intense than our chairside bleaching. This allows clients to complete their teeth whitening routine in the comfort of their own home and provides some ongoing maintenance.
Non-Vital Bleaching Performed on Teeth No Longer “Alive”
This method is conducted on teeth that are no longer considered “living” due to a root canal for instance. This is a process of lightening your teeth from the inside out.
Sensitivity After Teeth Whitening
It’s completely normal to experience some sensitivity after your teeth whitening procedure. The sensitivity (and any irritation from the treatment) should be short-lived.
Check out this post to learn more about tooth sensitivity and how you can banish it.
Book Your Teeth Whitening Consultation at True Dental Today!
Our committed and experienced team at True Dental can assess your smile and give you the answers you need to make an informed decision.
Everyone is different and reacts to whitening products in their own way. So, it is essential to obtain a professional consultation for the best results.
Call us today to achieve that gleaming white smile you’ve always dreamed of! We can take years off your smile and help you renew your grin easily and effectively!