Whitening for Brighter Smiles

This may be the treatment of the new millennium! We all want to do our best to greet the day with a bright, beautiful smile.

There are many different causes of tooth staining. The most common ones are stains from food and beverages. Tetracycline antibiotics or nerve degeneration can also cause discoloration. Whitening is effective for all of these types of stains.

The best part of whitening is that you are in control. whitening can be done at home. A quick visit to my office, a simple impression, is all it takes to have your customized whitening trays, which allow you to use with your preferred gel purchased online. You decide when and how often to whiten your teeth.

Whitening has never been safer or more effective. There is actually no bleach involved at all. A clear-flavored gel made up of carbamide peroxide is applied to the bleach tray or strip. The tray should be loaded with the gel and used as per the manufacturers recommended time only.

As the carbamide peroxide (superoxygenated water) is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and whitens the colored tooth structure. The structure of the tooth is not changed; only the tooth surface is made lighter. Teeth may need to be re-bleached for two or three applications every three to six months.

Occasionally, sensitivity is experienced. When that occurs, I suggest alternating the use of the whitening product with a desensitizing fluoride agent.

I am delighted with the results of whitening, especially in our teenagers, who feel so much better about their smiles.