You see white teeth everywhere. Magazines, movies, TV shows, pictures, and more feature people with big smiles and pearly white teeth. However, there’s a lot of things in modern life that get in the way of achieving that ideal look. For example, wine, coffee, cigarettes, and soda all stain the teeth. You don’t have to get frustrated with the color of your teeth and wonder why you can’t get the same results as someone else. Teeth whitening options are available so you can feel happy and confident with your smile. Learn more about cosmetic dentistry services today.
Over the Counter Teeth Whitening Options
Many people start with teeth whitening options available over the counter (or OTC) at pharmacies, supermarkets, and department stores. These products are convenient to access since you don’t need to see a dentist before purchasing them. There are a few different types on the market for home use:
- Toothpaste: Whitening toothpaste typically has an abrasive agent added, allowing the paste to remove the stains on the teeth. In some cases, this item will also have peroxide in it to help with the whitening process. Since this is the mechanical removal of the stain rather than bleaching the teeth, it can take some time before you start to see your efforts’ results.
- Whitening strips: These strips use peroxide to achieve their goal. You typically get a box that contains a course of these strips, and at the end of it, you’ll have a noticeably brighter smile. While these strips can be effective, they are also quite pricey compared to other OTC options.
- Paint-on gels: These gels function in a similar method to the strips, but you paint them on. It’s a less convenient form of the strips, and it can be challenging for a beginner to use properly.
- Mouth rinses: You can add in mouth rinses and other related products to improve your overall dental hygiene so that you can get ahead of the staining agents.
While at-home OTC options are convenient, they can take a significant amount of time to show results. Even the fastest OTC option will require a longer treatment cycle compared to the professional-grade whitening treatments and equipment available to a dental clinic.
At-Home Dentist Supervised
This product category consists of professional-grade products prescribed by a dentist, but they don’t require the dentist to apply them directly. You would go in for an appointment, and your dentist will recommend the product type that best suits your situation and your teeth whitening goals. They give you thorough instructions on using it and support you throughout the entire course. If you have questions throughout the process, you’ll have a dental professional available to know that you’re on the right track.
When you have at-home teeth whitening options, you use peroxide gel placed in a customized tray. This tray is designed, so the gel only touches the teeth and does not have a lot of contact with your gums. The typical treatment lasts for up to a month.
In-Office Dentist Applied
Your dentist may recommend a method that requires in-office care. You would have peroxide gel applied to your teeth, and then a special light is turned on. This light speeds up the bleaching process, so the in-office option is an ideal one if you need to whiten your teeth in a hurry. Generally, you don’t have to have many appointments before you see great results from this method. In addition to teeth whitening, we also offer dental services like:
Getting a brighter, whiter smile doesn’t have to be a hassle. Whether you want to use OTC or professional-grade teeth whitening options, you have a lot of choices. Contact Lovett Dental Piney Point Village at 832-242-2030 to discuss your teeth whitening goals.
