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.
Professional teeth whiteners are safe, effective, and done under the supervision of a dental professional. In most cases, it is worth the extra cost to visit the dentist to get long-lasting, safe results.
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.
Because there is such a wide range of whitening options, the average teeth bleaching results can last anywhere from six months to three years. In most cases, however, people tend to have results that last about one year.
In-Office Tooth Whitening
Teeth whitening done by your dentist can get teeth brighter faster. The bleaching solution is usually much stronger than at-home kits. Also, heat, light, or a combination of the two may be used to speed and intensify the whitening process.
Average Cost of Teeth Whitening
Once the tray is formed, your dentist will provide instructions for wearing the trays at home. These custom kits typically cost around $250 to $500, with an additional $30 factored in for annual maintenance.
Most patients only require one teeth whitening treatment session, although it may involve several applications of the bleaching agent. For at-home whitening kits, the process may involve wearing the whitening trays for up to two weeks.
Professional teeth whitening treatments are typically performed no more than once per year. These treatments involve using powerful bleaching agents. Overdoing these treatments can lead to permanent damage being done to the enamel.
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.
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.
The potential side effects of teeth whitening include teeth sensitivity, gum irritation, and ineffective results. However, most patients do not experience any notable side effects from professional teeth whitening, as the dentist can monitor the process and perform treatment in a way that minimizes risk.
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.
For the safest and most effective at-home teeth whitening method, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) recommends you use custom-fitted trays supplied by your dentist. Ill-fitting teeth whitening trays can cause the gel to ooze out and irritate your gums.
The Right Age To Whiten
Most dentists agree that teeth whitening should be done no earlier than age 14-16. Many pre-teens do not have all of their permanent teeth yet, so it's best not to undergo teeth whitening until all adult teeth are present, and there are no longer any baby teeth in your child's mouth.
That being said, legally approved tooth whitening products, applied by a trained professional is not dangerous for your teeth. You should still refrain from using such products more often than 3-4 a week, so as to prevent gradual enamel erosion.
Teeth whitening isn't permanent. It can last from a few months to up to 3 years – it varies from person to person. The whitening effect won't last as long if you smoke or drink red wine, tea or coffee, which can all stain your teeth.
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.
Porcelain Veneers
These are very popular amongst celebrities because of their incredible results. Veneers are thin, strong shells that are custom-made from dental porcelain to cover the front surface of your teeth. They can fix small cracks, chips, gaps, and discoloration all at once.
Some medical conditions may impact the tooth enamel, which can lead to changes in the color of your teeth. These conditions include metabolic diseases, calcium deficiency, liver disease, rickets, eating disorders, and celiac disease.
In some cases, whitening solutions can change the colour of your teeth up to nine or more shades. But in most cases the end results are from three to seven shades brighter. Keep in mind that teeth whitening doesn't last forever, so you will have to top up eventually after years more staining from your lifestyle.
With the modern improvements that have been made, teeth whitening can be done in one treatment. One-day teeth whitening has become extremely popular because it is a fast, effective, and often cost-efficient way to get a brighter, whiter smile.
For starters, teeth whitening is highly effective, however it only improves the color of your teeth and cannot remove all types of stains. Veneers on the other hand can correct the size, shape, color, alignment, and spacing of your teeth, however at the cost of making permanent enamel modifications.
After the 30-60 minutes treatment, your teeth whitening may vary: from 10 to 15 shades whiter, to 2 to 5 shades lighter.
But the Kardashians' go-to teeth whitening device? The Hi Smile Teeth Whitening Kit.
Tired of using teeth whitening strips, or going to the dentist for whitening treatments? Then dental veneers are an option that you should consider. Dental veneers are a great way to permanently whiten your teeth, so no more white strips and no need for whitening treatments.