Even though your teeth have a natural yellow hue, many people desire to have pearly whites. White teeth appear cleaner and give you a brilliant smile. You can achieve a whiter smile through whitening treatments from your cosmetic dentist.
But what are the best whitening treatments to try? Is one better than the other and which ones last the longest?
If you’re thinking about cosmetic teeth whitening, keep reading to learn more about cosmetic dentistry and how to whiten teeth
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is a specialized field of dentistry aimed to improve the appearance of your teeth. Cosmetic dentistry sometimes overlaps with restorative dentistry, but restorative dentistry focuses on restoring your teeth to their normal function versus their appearance.
Cosmetic dentists work with patients to fit dental issues in the gum, jaw, and teeth. This includes teeth whitening.
When you’re wondering how to whiten teeth, you’re probably wondering what options are available to you. Here are five common teeth whitening options for you to try.
1. Professional In-Office Whitening
One of the best ways to get your teeth whitened is by visiting your dentist. Your dentist has the best option for teeth whitening that has great results and lasts the longest.
Your dentist uses a hydrogen peroxide whitening agent that they brush onto your teeth and curate with a laser. The entire process should be painless and takes about an hour or so depending on how white you want your teeth. The dentist works with you to decide which level of whiteness works for you.
You’ll have a consultation with your dentist before your whitening appointment to make sure you’re healthy enough for this procedure. While in-office teeth whitening treatments are one of the most expensive, it’s important to remember that the results usually last several months.
2. Trays and Gel
If you don’t have time for a professional in-office whitening, you can get similar results at home using teeth whitening trays and gel. The gel is the same peroxide-based treatment that dentists use. The only difference is that there are no lasers and you do it yourself by wearing trays filled with gel for a few hours at a time each day.
You can purchase trays and gels over the counter or from your local dentist’s office. Trays and gels are significantly cheaper than in-office whitening, and even though the results are great, they don’t last as long and take more time to achieve results. However, the trays and gel purchased from your dentist produce better results than over-the-counter products.
3. Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste is the most economical choice for teeth whitening because it removes current stains. It’s also the easiest to use, though it doesn’t produce the same results as the previous methods. However, if you’re willing to wait and you don’t have the money to spend on more expensive methods, whitening toothpaste could be your go-to.
Because there are so many teeth whitening toothpaste available on the market, ask your dentist which one they recommend. Remember that it’s equally important to choose a toothpaste that fights bacteria and protects gums as well.
4. Whitening Strips
Whitening strips are widely available at most pharmacies and stores. These strips contain whitening agents like peroxide that you wear for short amounts of time. They’re similar in function to trays and gel, and though they may take longer to see the desired results, they do work well.
5. Combination Approach
All of these whitening approaches work on their own, but if you want you could take a combination approach to keep your teeth looking their whitest. By using whitening toothpaste consistently and using whitening strips, you’ll get a brighter smile.
Finding the Best Teeth Whitening Treatments
With a handful of whitening treatments available, it’s hard to decide which one is right for you. Ultimately, you can ask your dentist their opinion, but here are some ideas about how to find the best treatment.
Keep in mind that in-office whitening is the best course for long-lasting and natural-looking results. Because this is a cosmetic procedure, it’s likely not covered by dental insurance. Even though it’s one of the more expensive options, it’s well worth the money to get the best look.
Trays and gel are a great choice if you want a professional look. The trays fit over your teeth snuggly. Even though they seem fairly straightforward to use, if you have any hesitations about doing the process yourself, you’ll want to stick with a dentist.
Whitening strips (and even trays) are more budget-friendly. Strips are the most simple to use, outside of toothpaste, and easily accessible.
The amount of peroxide in each product contributes to how quickly you’ll see results. The higher the peroxide, the quicker the results. However, you may also experience some sensitivity as well.
If you choose an at-home whitening product like strips or trays, you’ll want to take into account the time allotted for the product to stay on. For example, generally speaking, strips should stay on for an hour or so. Always follow directions and be conscious of your time.
For people with crowns, veneers, or fillings, you should be aware that whitening products do not affect these dental treatments. If you use a whitening product, your dental treatment may become more apparent.
Keeping Your Teeth White
Teeth whitening treatments work great for a time, but they eventually wear off. Depending on which treatment you use, you’ll need to whiten them again at some point. But there are things you can do to keep your teeth whiter.
Stay away from foods that stain your teeth like coffee, wine, and certain teas. If you love these types of drinks, use a straw.
Brushing with a mildly abrasive whitening toothpaste helps remove stains. Keep up a good oral hygiene routine as well to prevent stains.
Crunchy whole foods produce more saliva in your mouth which protects against stains.
5 Types of Whitening Treatments to Try
Teeth whitening treatments help you achieve a brighter and whiter smile that you’ll love to show off. By choosing the best whitening treatment, you can feel confident in your smile.
Do you want to talk to your dentist about getting whiter teeth? Schedule your consultation today and be on your way to a beautiful smile.