Having your teeth whitened in-office will cost approximately $600, and while this is significantly more money than the cost of take-home kits or other teeth whitening products, such as gels, gums, or whitening toothpastes, which can range from $5 to $50, having your teeth whitened in office will result in a ...
Most whitening gel lasts about a year after it is made. If it is kept in the refrigerator, the gel can still be good for use a little longer than a year. Over time the gel oxidizes and loses its potency. The gel will begin to look white or foggy if it is old.
So, is it worth it? Whether you choose to have your teeth whitened in-office, or opt for the take-home trays, professional teeth whitening is the best choice for permanently whiter teeth. The quick and lasting results combined with an increased comfortability make the higher cost completely worth it.
Teeth whitening products — whether an over-the-counter option you use at home or a professional treatment — can be effective and safe, if used correctly. “If you want a brighter smile, teeth whitening products can be good tools,” says Dr. Clemons. “But they aren't a substitute for good dental hygiene.”
We all want a white brighter smile. But this begs the question “does teeth whitening damage the enamel?” The answer is no. While there may sometimes be side effects, whitening treatment is safe on tooth enamel. The process of tooth whitening is essentially the tooth will become dehydrated, meaning dried out.
Patients with the following conditions or circumstances may not be the best candidates: Pregnant and lactating women. People who have restorations such as fillings, implants, crowns and dental bridges. Children under 16 years of age.
How often teeth whitening treatments are recommended by dentists. Professional teeth whitening performed in the dentist's office is recommended once every year to every 18 months, depending on how long the results last. At-home kits can be used as often as once every four to six months.
Wearing the trays once every 2 months will keep your teeth at a very stable colour indefinitely, however if you want to keep them at an even brighter white, you may want to wear the trays once a month. Whitening gel, for maintenance, is available from the practice.
What Can Be Done to Whiten Yellow Teeth? If you're looking for a radical change in the coloring of your teeth, you need professional-grade whitening to get the job done. Your cosmetic dentist can provide treatment that penetrates deep into the enamel and removes years of stains with a powerful bleaching agent.
You should still refrain from using such products more often than 3-4 a week, so as to prevent gradual enamel erosion. Tooth whitening works by bleaching your teeth with one of two ingredients: carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide.
Carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are commonly used in whitening interventions and can readily permeate dental hard tissues.
Longer-Lasting, Brighter Smile
One of the most significant advantages of getting your teeth whitened at the dentist is the treatment oversight before and during treatment to guarantee good results that you cannot get with at-home methods.
No matter what type of tooth whitening process you use, it won't last forever. At-home products may give minimal-to-great results that last for a few months. Professional dental procedures may extend that time up to 2-3 years. Read on to learn the effects of whitening procedures and products to consider.
The Whiteness Will Fade with Time
Unfortunately, professional teeth whitening will not permanently get rid of teeth stains. Your teeth will start to go back to normal again, and follow up appointments for teeth whitening may be necessary. Most people get their teeth whitened about every other month.
Constant refrigeration virtually stops breakdown of whitening gels. More importantly, refrigeration protects whitening gels against the potency-robbing damage of heat during storage and shipping. Even when stored at room temperature (73.4°F), whitening gels more than double or triple in acidity.
If your bleaching product is a 35% carbamide peroxide solution, wear your bleaching trays for 30 minutes each day. You may increase to one hour each day if you do not develop sensitivity.
To do this, a cosmetic dentist might target the size, shape, alignment, or whiteness of the patient's teeth. For celebrity-level whiteness, cosmetic dentists will usually use one of three different procedures: professional whitening treatments, veneers, or crowns.
Consuming Certain Foods and Drinks
“Certain foods that are high in tannins, such as red wine, are potential causes of yellow teeth,” notes Crest. Other teeth-staining foods include coffee, citrus fruits and juices, soft drinks, teas, berries, tomato-based sauces, curry, balsamic vinegar, and soy sauce.
Even with daily brushing, certain foods and drinks can cause stained teeth. For example, frequently drinking coffee, tea and wine can all lead to yellow teeth. In addition, even regular brushing cannot always combat yellow teeth caused by smoking cigarettes.
It's safe to brush and floss your teeth after using whitening strips. It won't reduce the whitening effects of the treatment. Manufacturers recommend doing so gently. This will help you avoid gum irritation and discomfort.
While beverages and liquids such as milk and water are okay to drink, dark-colored beverages should be avoided after a teeth whitening procedure. Avoid beverages such as coffee, dark sodas, red wines, and tea. You should also avoid dark juices including cranberry, grape, orange, and tomato juice.
If teeth whitening does not work for you, it might be because of the product you are using, the type of tooth stains or spots, or strength of the bleaching gel. Product type – Whitening toothpaste does not remove deeply embedded stains.
If you're using an over-the-counter product, you should start the whitening process around two months before your big event. This will allow time for the whitening agents to work and to make any necessary adjustments. If you're receiving professional teeth whitening, you typically don't need as much lead time.
If you undergo a teeth whitening treatment with your dentist, you can expect to whiten your teeth in one day. However, it will usually take a week or two for your best results to show. There are also alternative ways to whiten your teeth through products such as DIY whitening kits and whitening toothpastes.
Teeth that have yellowed with age
As we age, the enamel becomes thinner due to wear and tear, revealing the underlying layer of tooth structure called dentin. Dentin is naturally yellowish and cannot be lightened with teeth whitening products.