Staining of the teeth is caused by a layer of stain buildup on teeth known as the pellicle film. This film builds up for years and develops noticeable staining on the teeth. Teeth whitening, either professional or with at home products, uses bleaching chemicals that penetrate into the enamel and break up the staining compounds, causing your teeth to appear whiter. Let’s take a closer look at teeth whitening products vs. professional teeth whitening procedures.
How Do Home Teeth Whitening Products Work?
In recent years, the amount of teeth whitening products on the market has quadrupled. And it’s no wonder; who wouldn’t want a beautiful, white smile? But how do they work? Often the hydrogen peroxide solution used in at-home teeth whitening products is a lower concentration than those used by dental professionals. Some teeth whitening products, such as whitening toothpastes have little actual whitening chemicals in them and rely more on heavy scrubbing of the enamel and pellicle film to scrub off topical stains. While they may be more cost effective than professional whitening, you may not see the results you hope to see.
How Does Professional Teeth Whitening Work?
The dentist will then instruct you on whether you are to wear the trays with a special whitening solution for 30 minutes twice a day or overnight for a couple of weeks based on the degree of staining and your teeth whitening goals.
What Are The Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening?
The benefits of professional teeth whitening include:
- Personalized care, with a dentist available to discuss teeth whitening
- A formal dental checkup to make sure your teeth and gums are in good health and can handle chemical teeth whitening procedures
- Higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, tailored specifically to your needs
- Dentist assigned at-home treatments with custom mouth trays, reducing discomfort and gum irritation related to teeth whitening
Visit Your Dentist to Learn More about Professional Teeth Whitening
If you’re interested in learning more about how professional teeth whitening can help you have a brighter, whiter smile, we recommend making an appointment to see Dr. Osborne. Osborne Family Dental guarantees excellence in dentistry and care that makes you feel like family. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for your teeth whitening.