Every day, more and more patients visit our cosmetic dentist in Lethbridge, asking for teeth whitening, and we will tell you why!
Teeth are naturally yellow. The outer layer of your teeth is the enamel, which is translucent; beneath it, it lays the dentin, which is yellow. The result of it is a yellowish tooth.
When we are young, the shade of yellow is very slight, and teeth look good; however, in time, many factors have an impact on the color of your dentin.
Our cosmetic dentist near you will list the factors that darken your teeth:
- Consumption of colored foods and drinks –Beverages such as red wine, tea, or coffee stain your teeth’s surfaces. If it’s your case, you should look for teeth whitening near you.
- Medications –Some antibiotics also stain your teeth, such as tetracycline and doxycycline. Teeth whitening in Lethbridge can be your solution if you have teeth stains due to certain medications.
- Nocive habits –Smoking or using tobacco in any of its forms also darkens your dental pieces. Keep in mind that if you whiten your teeth and keep smoking severely, the results won’t last as much as if you were a non-smoker.
- Root canal treatment –It is not the usual, but some patients that undergo root canal therapy experience a change of color in their tooth. It is due to internal bleeding.
If you made it this far, now you know that your teeth can get darker for multiple reasons. If it is your case, and you are interested in teeth whitening, you should know some things about the procedure.
What to Expect?
Teeth bleaching is a simple cosmetic procedure, and it can be done in a dental office or the comfort of your home. If you opt to bleach your teeth at home, we strongly suggest you visit your cosmetic dentist in Lethbridge first, so he or she can give you proper instructions. Remember that dentistry is not one-size-fits-all, and what might work for some people doesn’t necessarily have to be your best option.
In-Office Whitening
If you choose the in-office system, your dental professional will choose a shade of white that looks natural on you and will apply it with a pen or a brush on the visible part of your teeth. After 20 minutes or so, he or she will wash it away and apply again for better results. After the second application, you will be ready to go home.
If you experience too much sensitivity, you can manage it with any over-the-counter painkillers. Also, you may ask your doctor for any desensitizing gels.
At-Home Whitening
As we mentioned above, you can also whiten your teeth at your home. Your dental professional will create a set of trays for you to put the bleaching agent and wear them from 30 minutes up to an hour each day, for up to four weeks. The amount of gel that you have to place in the trays and the frequency of usage will vary depending on the amount of stain and other factors, such as if you suffer from tooth sensitivity.
Both methods are excellent and achieve the same results; however, whitening your teeth at a dental office shows results faster. It is also a more expensive option.
If you opt for at-home systems, you may start seeing results after a couple of weeks.
If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us, and we will be happy to solve your doubts. Also, you may schedule a free consultation with our team of dental professionals to determine if you qualify for teeth whitening.