The Safest Process for Whitening Your Discolored, Yellowing Teeth
ERASING DISCOLORATION FOR GLEAMING TEETH
Drinking tea or many other staining drinks during your day can help keep you awake, but it’s not brightening your teeth. Years of stains from foods and drinks can lead to dingy smiles. Even consistently brushing and flossing morning and night still might not effectively give you the bright smile you want. Following are some popular tooth whitening options at a range of prices, both medical-grade and at-home products, to help you obtain a whiter smile that will create a buzz in McKinney, TX.
IT ALL STARTS WITH REGULAR BRUSHING
Just brushing your teeth, flossing, and using mouthwash is a great place to begin. In addition, it's a great idea to pack a travel-sized dental hygiene kit in your purse or briefcase to keep handy at work or school. Whenever you visit the restroom or stop for a break, give your teeth a simple once over. Beyond taking care of your general dental hygiene, you'll also be helping maintain the appearance of your smile.
OVER-THE-COUNTER TEETH WHITENING OPTIONS
When you opt for a store-bought product to brighten your smile, you may see small improvements by just using these treatments in addition to your usual brushing, flossing, and mouthwash routine. At several retailers and pharmacies in McKinney, TX, you can purchase numerous types of tooth lightening options to try at home, such as whitening toothpaste, whitening strips, and bleaching gels. You should always pay careful attention to the instructions provided.
- BLEACHING KITS THAT USE LED LIGHTS
To enhance the outcomes from some teeth bleaching solutions or strips, you can purchase a particular kind of light. LED dental appliances need to be inserted around the teeth after you have applied your brightening solution or strips. LED devices have a specific exposure time and should be used only as instructed. - TEETH BLEACHING PENS AND STRIPS
A lot of retailers and pharmacies offer a large selection of different kinds of whitening pens and strips. The whitening strips are easily placed over your teeth and can be pretty hard to detect. A whitening pen allows you to strategically apply a bleaching solution to your teeth after they have been brushed and are dry. When you have correctly applied the strip or solution to your teeth, you should not disturb them for the duration directed on the product. - ORAL TRAYS WITH BRIGHTENING GEL
Universal-fit teeth bleaching products with mouth trays can be found in a variety of stores, and many have a similar process as the tray systems provided at a dental practice. Among the major differences between store-bought and professional whitening systems is the personalized fit. The dental trays in a consumer whitening system might not fit well or could give you spotty results. Further, the whitening solutions in over-the-counter systems aren't customized for your unique goals, so you may experience tooth sensitivity or other issues.
IF DIY OPTIONS WORK, WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR AN EXPERT PROCEDURE?
You need to remember that nonprofessional teeth whitening treatments aren't going to offer the same quality of results compared to teeth whitening treatments given by your dentist. Nonprofessional products are lesser strength, so depending on your degree of darkening and if you have any bridges or crowns, etc., your results will likely be visibly uneven. Further, the use of these products can cause inflamed gums and sensitive teeth. Talk to your dental practitioner about store-bought teeth whitening systems, how they perform compared to treatments they offer in their practice, and if they would recommend any of them to reduce your specific discoloration.
DENTIST-PERFORMED TEETH WHITENING CHOICES
Biannual oral exams and cleanings not only ensure that your teeth are healthy, but they will also help the look of your smile. Eliminating the accumulated debris and bacteria from your teeth is an easy way to visibly brighten your smile. To get more significant results, speak to your dental practitioner about the expert teeth whitening options they offer. They may offer prescription-strength teeth whitening treatments, professional at-home whitening kits, and cosmetic veneers for a complete smile upgrade.
- DENTAL VENEERS
For a total smile makeover to quickly make your teeth brighter and address other visible issues (such as chips, wide spacing, excessive staining, and short teeth), ceramic veneers may be a good treatment. Veneers are customized to look natural and fit comfortably on top of the teeth. Your dental practitioner will have to carefully shave away a tiny amount of your natural enamel in order to make room for the veneers. Once they're in place, you'll have a new, stunning smile. - IN-OFFICE LASER TEETH BLEACHING
For an in-office laser whitening treatment, your dental practitioner will first brush a medical-grade whitening solution onto your enamel and then utilize a laser light. The heat emitted by the laser boosts the whitening product to create the best outcomes. In-office laser whitening is great when you need fast results before a special event or for those who have crowns, bridges, inlays, etc. Some in-office teeth whitening procedures can also improve internal discoloration, which retail options can't do. - CUSTOM AT-HOME WHITENING PRODUCTS
If you’d rather whiten in the comfort of home, a lot of dental practitioners offer professional home whitening systems. With personalized tooth trays and a special whitening gel selected for your types of discoloration, a home whitening system from your dentist offers a much better fit and even results. They are just a better option than generic products. After applying the whitening gel to both trays, you put them in your mouth for a certain amount of time, as directed by your dentist. Once the treatment is done, you can take the trays out, clean them, and store them in a safe place. At your next appointment, you can get more of your whitening gel. You should not try to use store-bought whitening products with your custom systems, since they can degrade your trays. You may use an at-home whitening kit as your only treatment or to keep your results after a professional treatment.
GET READY TO ENJOY YOUR WHITEST, BEST SMILE
Experiencing minimal results or heat and cold sensitivity from over-the-counter whitening products can be very frustrating. At MINT dentistry in McKinney, our dentists provide home and in-office whitening treatments, as well as dental veneers. Each of these treatments can be personalized to achieve your aesthetic goals, so you see stunning results without damaging your oral health. Contact us to schedule an appointment at our practice in McKinney, TX to find out about all of our professional and at-home whitening options to get a glowing, sexy smile.