These days, teeth whitening has become so much more than simply making your teeth look whiter. While that’s certainly a wonderful perk, this treatment is also a way to increase your self-confidence and give you that extra boost to help you make a positive first impression. Our smiles say a lot about us, which is why it’s important to keep them healthy and radiant.
Our local dental practice offers teeth whitening in London. For more information about this process, get in touch with our staff today.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is just one of many treatments that fall under the large umbrella of cosmetic dentistry. This branch of dental care is mainly concerned with enhancing the aesthetics of your smile. However, cosmetic processes often walk the line with restorative dentistry since a beautiful smile is, in most cases, a healthy smile.
Receiving porcelain veneers, dental fillings, whether they’re composite or silver amalgam, dental bonding, and dental sealant are other examples of cosmetic dental treatments.
Over the course of past few years, teeth whitening has grown in popularity; everyone wants to show off that pearly white, Hollywood smile. Thanks to contemporary advancements within this field, doing so has never been so easy – you can receive professional teeth whitening from a dentist near you, or you can take matters into your own hands and do it yourself. But do keep in mind that there is no “perfect” treatment; what’s best for you personally depends on your current dental situation, your preferences, what you can afford, and what your dentist recommends.
Why is my Smile Discolored?
The primary purpose of teeth whitening is to remove stains and other visible problems that can happen to your teeth – discoloration is a particularly prominent one. Our smiles become dull and more stained over time due to multiple reasons including, but not limited to the ones noted below:
- Smoking.
- Consuming a lot of food and drinks that leave behind residue. Berries, soy sauce, tomato sauce, curry, tea, coffee, wine, and beer are some of the most notorious examples.
- Genetics.
- Aging.
- Tooth decay.
- Infection.
- Poor oral hygiene. This usually comes down to infrequent brushing and flossing.
- Taking certain medications.
In-Office vs At-Home Whitening
In-office, or professional whitening is when you visit a dentist in London to have your teeth bleached. They’ll thoroughly clean your mouth before applying the whitening gel. Hydrogen peroxide or hydrogen carbamide are the two most frequently used substances since they can easily penetrate your enamel and scrub away stains. Too much of these chemicals can harm your smile, so they’re applied in a strictly controlled dosage.
The bleach is spread over your teeth and a special UV is used to kickstart the actual whitening process. Once a minute is up, it’s wiped off and then reapplied, starting the process over. These actions are repeated until your smile resembles the shade of white that you want.
In comparison, at-home treatments are a good alternative if you’re not interested in spending a lot of money. With that said, the effects won’t last as long, and you’ll have to redo your treatment in a few weeks’ time.
The most popular forms of DIY whitening are:
- Whitening strips, toothpaste, and trays.
- Swishing with coconut oil.
- Taking lemon peels and rubbing them on your teeth.
- Brushing with a combination of baking soda and toothpaste.
- Brushing and flossing after each meal! This is the simplest, most effective way to keep your smile beautiful all year round. Attending regular dental cleanings help as well.
Furthermore, more and more dental clinics are providing take-home kits to their patients. These kits contain everything you need to illuminate your smile, including a predetermined amount of bleach. To learn more about this, don’t hesitate to speak with your dentist today.
At Maple Ridge Family Dental, we provide teeth whitening near you to new and returning patients alike. If you have any questions or concerns about the process, our staff is standing by to help you with whatever you need.
So, if you’re ready to book a consultation and take another step towards achieving the smile of your dreams, call or visit our website today!