Many reasons exist for having your teeth whitened. You may not have brilliantly white teeth or your teeth may have discolored because of aging. The discoloration could be a result of having foods and beverages like blackcurrant, red wine, coffee, and tea or foods with dyes. Smoking can also lead to the discoloration that you want to rid from your mouth. The discoloration will not disappear by itself and the best solution available to you would be in the form of teeth whitening that can lighten the color of your natural teeth.

How Effective Is Teeth Whitening

If your teeth are severely discolored teeth whitening at a dentist’s office can lighten the existing shade without offering you any guarantees of a complete change in color. You must understand that this is a treatment that is provided without removing any of the tooth surfaces. Therefore you must be prepared to discuss with the dentist in advance about the changes you can expect before opting for the treatment.

What Does The Treatment Involve?

The usual method of teeth whitening by dentists is professional bleaching. During your initial appointment, the dental team at the dentist’s office will determine whether you are suitable for this treatment and will also supervise the procedure if you are.

The dental team will put a rubber shield on your gums to protect them before applying the whitening agent on the teeth with the help of a specially designed tray that fits into your mouth similar to a mouthguard. Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide oxide are usually active ingredients in the whitening agent. As the active ingredients are broken down oxygen reaches the enamel of the teeth to make their color appear lighter.

What Other Procedures Are Available?

Teeth whitening in Richmond, TX, also uses laser whitening to offer you faster treatment. Here again, a rubber dam will be placed over your teeth before the bleaching agent is applied and a laser is used to activate the chemical on your teeth. The reaction time of the whitening agent is speeded up by the light to achieve the color change you are looking for, faster. Laser whitening is reputed to change the color of your teeth by 5 to 6 shades lighter.

Can Teeth Whitening Fail?

If you have dental restorations such as veneers, crowns, and dentures the dentist offering teeth whitening in Spring, TX, will inform you that the whitening will be ineffective on the restorations. Teeth whitening is only effective on your natural teeth.

How Long Will Teeth Whitening Last?

Professional teeth whitening is believed to last for up to 3 years. However, differences will be noticed between people because if you are having staining foods or smoking the effects are unlikely to last as long. You can inquire with your dental team for their opinion before you begin the teeth whitening treatment.

Are Home Whitening Kits Effective?

Many types of home whitening kits are available in the form of paint on whiteners and strips. The effectiveness of these products will depend on the potency of the whitening agent they contain. Home whitening kits are also cheaper but tend to be more acidic and therefore could cause damages to your teeth and gums. The procedure of teeth whitening is complicated and it is recommended that you always have a discussion with your dentist before opting for this treatment. Perhaps the best option for you would be to visit your dentist for advice about this treatment before you make an independent decision to use any over-the-counter product.

What Are the Costs of Professional Teeth Whitening?

The costs of professional teeth whitening can differ according to the region and the expertise of the dentist. Laser whitening is more expensive than professional bleaching. Therefore it is suggested that you get a written estimate of the costs from the dentist before you begin the treatment.

How Much Time Will the Treatment Require?

The dentist you are visiting will examine your teeth to determine whether you are suitable for teeth whitening treatment. After the examination, the time taken for the treatment is approximately one hour.

Smiling before everyone with a set of discolored teeth will be embarrassing and could tempt you to call your dentist to schedule an appointment for teeth cleaning. It will be a wise decision but will need an evaluation from the dentist and agreement on the procedure and costs from both of you before you can give the go-ahead to make your teeth appear whiter and brighter than they presently are.