subject: Experience A Brighter, Whiter Smile With In-office And Take-home Whitening Procedures [print this page] Not everyone is satisfied with the appearance of his or her smile, but there are procedures available to help you gain back your smile this season. With at-home and in-office whitening, you can successfully whiten your teeth for a dazzling smile. Teeth whitening is one of the most commonly asked for procedures performed by cosmetic dentists today. Over the years, many people will lose the shiny, white color that they once enjoyed because a dingy yellow tinge has developed on their teeth. Performed by your professional dentist in Syracuse, NY, teeth whitening procedures can be extremely effective in lightening the color of your teeth by several shades.
What Causes Stains to Occur?
When it comes to the coloring of your teeth, your diet plays a significant role. Clinical studies have shown that certain types of food can contribute to staining more than others, including red wine, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and some acidic foods like citrus fruits or vinegar. Smoking is also a huge impact on the color of your teeth as the nicotine has been shown to leave brown deposits, which are gradually absorbed by the tooth causing intrinsic stains. Additionally, if you grind your teeth at night your teeth can develop cracks, which can potentially cause a darkening in the edges of your teeth. Accidents or damage to your teeth can also produce cracks that are vulnerable to a buildup of stains and debris.
In-Office Whitening by Your Dentist in Syracuse
In-office whitening is a quick and efficient whitening procedure that requires less than an hour. However, before your whitening procedure can begin, it is important to receive a regular teeth cleaning in order to provide the best results. The in-office whitening procedure begins with a short preparation to cover your lips and gums, which leaves only your teeth exposed for added protection. Your dentist will then apply a hydrogen peroxide whitening gel, which works with a special light that penetrates the teeth to break up the stains and discoloration.
The whitening gel will remain on your teeth for approximately 15 minutes while the light is activated. During this time you can simply sit back and relax while your teeth whiten. The whitening gel will be applied for a total of three 15-minute sessions of light activation to provide the best results. Immediately after your procedure is completed, your dentist will apply a sensitivity-reducing fluoride paste to your teeth.
In order to maintain the best whitening effects from your in-office treatment, your dentist may recommend that you avoid certain foods and beverages to avoid staining your teeth again. This will often include tea, soda, coffee, red wine, and many other dark beverages. Additionally, it is also important to quit smoking if you have not done so already. Proper oral hygiene is also recommended in order to prevent stains from reforming, in addition to visiting your dentist regularly for scheduled teeth cleanings.
Whiten Your Smile in the Comfort of Your Own Home
When used as directed, dentist-dispensed whitening trays can be extremely successful. In the long run, they can sometimes be more successful than in-office whitening. Even though you can get over-the-counter whiteners without a dentist's recommendation, if you over-use them or use them incorrectly, they can harm your tooth enamel and irritate your gum tissue. Over-bleaching can also produce an undesirable bluish hue, chalky whiteness, or uneven results. Supervision by your dentist can help prevent these problems.
With whitening trays, your dentist will create a mold of your teeth in order to fabricate mouth trays that properly fit your teeth. You will take the trays and bleaching agent home to begin the whitening process. After a couple weeks you will visit your dentist for a brief visit or two to allow your dentist to ensure that you are properly performing the home treatments, in addition to inspecting your gums for irritation.
Teeth whitening results are subjective, varying considerably from person to person. Before beginning your whitening process, consult your cosmetic dentist in Syracuse for a realistic idea of the results you are likely to achieve and how long it should take to achieve them.
