The Types of Teeth Whitening

It is safe to say that everyone wants to show a beautiful smile. White and bright teeth are the goal for many people, and we offer teeth whitening treatment near you for it!

What is Teeth Whitening?

Our teeth whitening in Longmont is perfect for people with discolored teeth. It consists of applying a bleaching agent (hydrogen or carbamide peroxide) over the visible surface of them in two applications of 20 minutes. The product will penetrate the enamel and dissolve the pigments that make your dentition look darker.

Why Teeth Get Darker

Teeth are not naturally white. They tend to be more yellowish because the enamel (the outer layer of the tooth) is translucent, and the underlying dentin is usually yellow (and sometimes grayish). 

Over time, the enamel wears away, so aging is one of the causes of discolored teeth. Among other causes, you may find:

- Consumption of colored foods and drinks – These stain your dentition in time, which is why our cosmetic dentist in Longmont advises drinking dark beverages such as coffee, black tea, and red wine with moderation. And the same with colored foods.

- Medications – Antibiotics, such as Tetracyclines, may discolor your teeth if you use them for long.

- A root canal – In some cases, a tooth with a root canal may get darker. You may look for teeth whitening treatment near you if it’s your case.

Types of Teeth Whitening

There are multiple ways of whitening your dentition, such as:

In-office Whitening

We recommend it since a cosmetic dentist near you may supervise that everything is correct. 

First, they will retract your lips with a device to see all the surfaces of your teeth. Then, they will protect your gums with resin because bleaching products burn the gingiva. Next, they will apply the peroxide and leave it for twenty minutes.

After washing it away and dry your teeth, they will repeat this step.

You will see results right away. You may experience tooth sensitivity for the first days, which you will alleviate by taking any over-the-counter painkillers.

At-home Whitening

Before applying it at home, you must visit a cosmetic dentist near you for your whitening trays. They will take a mold of your teeth and confect them. 

Depending on each patient, applications will be every day or every other day. The sensitivity is lower with at-home systems because their concentration is from 3% to 10%, while in-office systems contain around 40% peroxide.

You will see results after a couple of weeks.

Whitening Stripes

These stripes are coated with peroxide that you must use by following the package’s instructions. We suggest consulting with a dental professional before using over-the-counter products to avoid issues like gum irritation. Also, ensure that they don’t contain Chlorine Dioxide, as it wears away your enamel. 

Keep in mind that these will only remove surface stains. For long-lasting results, you should opt for another type of teeth whitening (in a dental office or at home with your customized whitening trays). You will see results after a couple of weeks, and they tend to last about three months.

Don’t overuse the stripes because they may harm your gingiva.

Which One is Best?

It depends on the wants and needs of the patient. If you want a fast, long-lasting result and you may afford it, you may opt for an in-office system. But if, for example, you want a little bit of bright on your teeth and are on a budget, you could use whitening strips. 

And if you have any doubts or want more information, you may contact us today and schedule a free consultation visit.