If you are wondering what you can do to make your teeth whiter, you are not alone.  One of the most common questions we receive from our patients is how to make their smiles brighter and whiter.  When considering your options, it is important to consult your dentist to make sure you have all the facts and understand how teeth whitening may affect your teeth and mouth.

One common misconception is the belief that discoloring of teeth is due to plaque or staining from foods.  The reality is a variety of factors can affect the color or your teeth.  These factors include food, drink, tobacco, age, injury, and medications.  Understanding what is causing the discoloration is important to properly whiten your teeth.

Teeth whitening products use bleaches (either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) to break stains into smaller pieces.  This makes them harder to see and results in a whiter brighter smile.  Bleaches do not work on all teeth.  It is important to consult your dentist before any treatment.  Whitening is not effective on caps, veneers, crowns, fillings, or if the color is caused by medication or injury.

Options for teeth whitening include whitening toothpaste, tray whitening systems, and in-office laser whitening.  Of course, effectiveness, safety, and results vary greatly among products.  Laser whitening provides immediate results in one office visit.  Tray whitening typically requires 5-7 days to achieve results.  Consult with your dentist if you are considering these choices so you may choose the right option for your smile.

It is important to have your teeth professionally cleaned prior to any of these whitening options.  Your dentist will determine if you have an issue that will result in sensitivity or which will not give you the whitening results you desire.  Many patients experience sensitivity with any whitening procedure.  Our practice will provide you with the most appropriate product to minimize this sensitivity.

Give us a call at (863) 658-4272 to explore your options for a whiter, brighter smile.