Everybody loves a bright white smile, and there are a variety of products and procedures available to help you improve the look of yours. Many people are satisfied with the sparkle they get from daily oral hygiene and regular cleanings at your dentist’s office, but if you decide you would like to go beyond this to make your smile look brighter, you should investigate all of your whitening options.
Start by speaking with Drs. Marler or Armstrong. He or she can tell you whether whitening procedures would be effective for you. Whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration.
If you are a candidate for whitening there are several ways to whiten your smile:
- At-home Bleaching Trays
- Peroxide-containing whiteners actually bleach the tooth enamel. They typically come in a gel and are placed in a mouthguard. Usage regimens vary. There are potential side effects, such as increased sensitivity or gum irritation. Speak with your dentist if you have any concerns.
- At-home Bleaching Strips
- These strips are similar to what you can buy over-the-counter but have an increased amount of whitener in them so they can bleach your teeth more than over-the-counter whitening strips.
- Whitening Toothpastes
- All toothpastes help remove surface stain through the action of mild abrasives. "Whitening" toothpastes in the ADA Seal of Acceptance program have special chemical or polishing agents that provide additional stain removal effectiveness. Unlike bleaches, these ADA Accepted products do not change the color of teeth because they can only remove stains on the surface.
