• What should you ask your dentist about teeth whitening?
• What is in-office teeth bleaching?
• What are at-home teeth whitening kits procedures and products?
• How should I choose a tooth whitening product?
What teeth whitening questions should you ask your dentist?
It is recommended that you start by speaking with your dentist. A professional dentist can tell you whether or not whitening procedures will be effective for your situation. Whiteners do not correct all types of discoloration.
- Yellow colored teeth usually bleach well
- Brown teeth may bleach less well
- Gray hued teeth may not bleach well at all
Bleaching may not enhance your smile if you have bonding or tooth-colored fillings placed in your front teeth. The whitening agents will not affect the color of these materials. As a result they will stand out in your whitened smile.
In these cases you have alternative options.
- porcelain veneers
- dental bonding
What is in-office teeth bleaching?
If you are a candidate for bleaching, your dentist might suggest a procedure that can be done “in-office”. This procedure is called chairside bleaching and may require more than one office visit. Each visit may take from 30 minutes to one hour.
During chairside bleaching, the dentist will apply either a protective gel to your gums or a rubber shield to protect the oral soft tissues. A bleaching agent is then applied to the teeth, and a special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent.
A number of in-office bleaching agents have the ADA Seal of Acceptance, your assurance that they have met ADA standards of safety and effectiveness.
Lasers have been used during tooth whitening procedures to enhance the action of the whitening agent. No whitening products using lasers currently are on the ADA list of Accepted products.
What are at-home procedures and products?
There are several types of products available for use at home, which can either be dispensed by your dentist or purchased over-the-counter.
Bleaching solutions. These products contain peroxide(s), which actually bleach the tooth enamel. These products typically rely on percent carbamide peroxide as the bleaching agent, carbamide peroxide comes in several different concentrations (10%, 16%, 22%).
Peroxide-containing whiteners typically come in a gel and are placed in a mouthguard. Usage regimens vary. Some products are used for about twice a day for 2 weeks, and others are intended for overnight use for 1-2 weeks. If you obtain the bleaching solution from your dentist, he or she can make a custom-fitted mouthguard for you that will fit your teeth precisely. Currently, only dentist-dispensed home-use 10% carbamide peroxide tray-applied gels carry the ADA Seal.
You also may want to speak with your dentist should any side effects become bothersome. For example, teeth can become sensitive during the period when you are using the bleaching solution. In many cases, this sensitivity is temporary and should lessen once the treatment is finished. Some people also experience soft tissue irritation—either from a tray that doesn’t fit properly or from solution that may come in contact with the tissues. If you have concerns about such side effects, you should discuss them with your dentist.
Toothpastes. All toothpastes help remove surface stain through the action of mild abrasives. "Whitening" toothpastes in the ADA Seal of Acceptance program have special chemical or polishing agents that provide additional stain removal effectiveness. Unlike bleaches, these ADA Accepted products do not alter the intrinsic color of teeth.
How should I choose a tooth whitening product?
When selecting a whitener or any dental product, be sure to look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance—your assurance that they have met ADA standards of safety and effectiveness.
To learn more about McKinney teeth whitening options or to schedule an appointment call Dr. Berlin at 972-547-6453.
