Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dental procedure that can significantly enhance your smile, and many people attempt to use home teeth whitening strips to get the results they want. Unfortunately, these whitening strips don’t always deliver the sparkling results that most folks are looking for.
At Cedarwood Dentistry, we offer teeth whitening that is both very effective and personally tailored to meet the unique needs of our patients. Here’s how we talk to our patients about the different teeth whitening options available, and a few ways we ensure the safety and long-term results of these treatments.
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What We Tell Our Patients About Their Teeth Whitening Options
When it comes to teeth whitening, there are generally two categories of options: over-the-counter products and professional treatments. Over-the-counter teeth whitening products, such as whitening strips, are readily available and relatively inexpensive. However, they come with their own set of pros and cons. The main advantage is their accessibility; anyone can purchase and use them. The downside, however, is that these products are one-size-fits-all, and as we all know, everyone’s teeth are different.
At Cedarwood Dentistry, our preferred teeth whitening method involves the use of custom trays. This process begins with taking an impression or mold of your teeth. We then provide you with these custom trays and ten tubes of whitening gel to use at home. This method offers a ton of flexibility. For instance, if you experience any sensitivity, you can wear the trays for a shorter amount of time or even load them up with toothpaste. You can essentially create your own whitening schedule.
When recommending a particular whitening option, we consider several factors. One of the most important is your compliance level. Teeth whitening requires some work at home, so it’s essential to choose an option that fits into your lifestyle. While whitening strips may be cheaper, custom trays tend to be more effective.
It’s also important to note that teeth whitening treatments won’t change the color of crowns, implant crowns, or large fillings. Therefore, if you have any of these, it’s something to be aware of when considering teeth whitening.
Choosing A Tooth Whitening Option That’s Safe and Effective
We know that patients want the best results, but we also want them to stay safe and healthy. There are options that can be both safe and effective, and knowing how to best use the teeth whitening option you choose makes a big difference, too.
Over-The-Counter Teeth Whitening Strips
Anything that alters your body carries the potential to do some harm, even over-the-counter teeth whitening strips.
“If you get the gel on your gums, it can bleach your gums too and burn your gum tissue,” says Dr. Chris Wolberg.
But don’t worry too much – if you really want to use them, the doctor’s got a pro tip: “Trim them if you need to.”
Custom Tray And Gel Treatments To Whiten Teeth
Custom trays are simple enough to use: just add the gel to your tray and you’re pretty much good to go.
These gels have customizable intensities based on your personal level of sensitivity (15, 20, 35, etc.), so it may not be a good idea to experiment with them if you have questions about what’s best for your teeth.
Maintaining Your Bright Smile
Once you get that perfect smile, you’re going to want to do your best to maintain it so you don’t have to constantly repeat a costly or uncomfortable tooth whitening routine over and over.
Regular brushing, preferably with an electric toothbrush, can help maintain a brighter smile.
It’s also important to be mindful of dietary and lifestyle habits that can cause staining. Consuming coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco can impact the effectiveness of whitening treatments, just as they would for non-whitened teeth.
On top of following any specific instructions included in the whitening option you choose, you’ll also want to make sure you’re regularly seeing your dentist.
If you are attempting to use teeth whitening strips at home, you’ll want to come in sooner rather than later. We can check for any potential damage they may have done to help you correct it as quickly as possible.
If you’d like to know a few more ways to prevent staining of your teeth, check out our preventative dentistry information for tips and answers to the tooth whitening questions we hear the most.
What You Won’t Get When Using A Home Tooth Whitening Kit
While you can see some limited results when using home kits to whiten your teeth, you probably won’t see a drastic change.
It’s important to remember that some people won’t see any change, and their teeth remain the same shade no matter how many times or different ways they try to whiten their teeth.
Being able to talk to a dentist first can help you determine whether or not you are one of these people, so you don’t waste time and money on teeth whitening solutions that just won’t work for you. Since we specialize in whiter teeth, we’re able to offer cosmetic treatments that help people feel proud of the way their teeth look when they smile.
We Can Help You Get (And Keep) The Smile You Want
At Cedarwood Dentistry, we’re committed to helping you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. If you’re considering teeth whitening, we invite you to schedule an appointment with us to discuss the best options for you.