The Safety of Teeth Whitening Treatments
Do you have a set of pearly yellows making you famous for the wrong reasons? You may decide to whiten your teeth using affordable methods advertised on print and electronic media. However, are you aware research suggests downsides exist to some popular whitening strips and gels? If not, we recommend not to use over-the-counter products but instead prefer teeth whitening near you from a qualified dentist.
Your teeth may have discolored or stained due to various reasons. If you want to make them whiter and brighter, you can accomplish the task safely because there are multiple options to choose from. For example, you can try natural at-home whitening products or visit your dentist for whitening treatments. However, the better option is to try to realize the reasons for the teeth discoloration affecting you.
Why Have Your Teeth Discolored?
Discoloration of the teeth can happen due to various reasons.
You may develop extrinsic discoloration by having pigmented foods or beverages and habits like smoking. Extrinsic staining affects the enamel of your teeth. Extrinsic staining is comfortably removable with whitening toothpaste targeting the external stains on your teeth.
If you have developed intrinsic discoloration within your tooth because of childhood illness, trauma, aging, or medications, you receive no help from whitening toothpaste but need professional bleaching to whiten your teeth.
Therefore you must decide how to whiten your teeth based on the kind of staining affecting them.
What Are Your Teeth Whitening Options?
Multiple products are available on the shelves of drugstores for whitening teeth. Unfortunately, the shelves leave you in a state of confusion about what to use and whether they are safe.
The three most popular categories of teeth whitening methods are:
- Administered by the dentist in Covington, GA.
- Dispensed by the dentist for use at home.
- Purchased over-the-counter or prepared at home without supervision from the dentist.
You may choose any options to whiten your teeth based on various factors, including the type of discoloration affecting your teeth, the cost of the treatment, your age, and your dental history. However, it is beneficial to discuss whitening methods with the dentist in Covington before trying any variety. The dentist recommends a treatment plan best suited for your needs. Remember, the time required to whiten your teeth depends on the kind of discoloration you have and the method you choose as a treatment.
Why Professional Teeth Whitening Is the Best?
Your dentist uses various methods to whiten your teeth, either in the dental office or at home. Usually, dentists bleach your teeth with hydrogen peroxide and target the tooth’s color in a chemical reaction. The treatment is considered safe for whitening teeth.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
In-office teeth whitening treatment from Anitha Reddy is beneficial because it delivers instant results. The effects of the whitening also last longer. The time required for the treatment is approximately an hour, but sometimes you may have to schedule additional appointments to whiten your teeth. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide applied to your teeth is higher than the products you use at home. In-office teeth whitening treatments are recommended if you have receding gums or other dental issues.
Dentists also use ultraviolet light to activate the whitening ingredient and to accelerate the process. As a result, you may witness results changing the color of your teeth by 3 to 8 shades in a single appointment with the dentist.
At-Home Teeth Whitening Dispensed by Your Dentist
Your dentist can also help you to whiten your teeth at home. They will prepare custom fit trays for your mouth and also provide whitening gel, which you add and wear the tray over your teeth for 30 minutes or more per day. Use the at-home treatment for a few weeks to maintain the results of the teeth whitening treatment.
Over-The-Counter Teeth Whitening Products
Over-the-counter teeth whitening products are displayed on the shelves of drugstores and supermarkets. However, before you pick up any product, ensure it is authenticated by the ADA and will not cause any harm to your teeth. Do not pick up fancy-looking products that may promise a lot but will likely send you the emergency dentist in Covington seeking treatments for sensitive teeth because the market is full of fake products for teeth whitening.
Teeth whitening from a qualified dentist is safe and will not cause any damage to your teeth. However, one cannot make similar claims about other products available over the counter. Therefore you must exercise caution when choosing an option to whiten your teeth safely.