Teeth Whitening
There's no simpler way to revitalize and enhance your natural beauty than with professional teeth whitening treatments. Tooth enamel naturally becomes dull and stained over time, but professional whitening treatments can help lift stains and brighten your enamel to create a whiter, more dazzling smile.
Professional teeth whitening treatments are much safer and more effective than over-the-counter teeth whitening products. Professional whitening treatments contain stronger, more concentrated whitening agents that work more quickly and effectively than the active ingredients in over-the-counter products. As a result, you can achieve your desired results in much less time.
Additionally, professional whitening treatments are administered and monitored by a dental professional. This means you can begin treatments with clear expectations of your starting tooth enamel shade and clear treatment expectations. When whitening treatments are supervised by a dental professional, you can rest assured that your tooth enamel and oral health will be safe, tooth sensitivity will be kept to a minimum, and any resulting sensitivity will be promptly addressed.
There are two basic options in professional teeth whitening: at-home treatments or in-office treatments. Both provide fast, effective, and safe results.
In-office treatments are administered in our office by a dental professional. Since they are completely supervised, the whitening agents are slightly stronger. This means the treatments work more quickly, resulting in fewer whitening sessions.
At-home professional treatments consist of customized whitening trays and an at-home whitening agent that is slightly less potent than the whitening agents used in our office. We provide you with a schedule and treatment plan, and you can whiten your teeth at your convenience in the comfort of your home.
While professional whitening treatments are incredibly effective, some stains and discoloration cannot be removed or brightened. To address these kinds of imperfections, there are alternative treatments that can be used to cover up the discoloration and create a bright, evenly-colored smile. Some of these options include dental bonding, veneers, and crowns.
If you have permanent stains or discoloration in your smile that cannot be effectively addressed with professional whitening treatments, then our dentist can talk with you about these alternatives and help you determine which is best for you.
After having your teeth professionally whitened, there are some things you can do to care for your bright, white smile and lengthen the amount of time before you want to have your teeth whitened again.
Exposure to highly pigmented foods and drinks is the most common reason why teeth become discolored. Limiting your intake of things like coffee, tea, red wine, dark-colored soft drinks, chocolate, and even berries can help prevent your smile from becoming stained.
If you do enjoy these foods and drinks, rinse out your mouth with water after consuming. Also, drinking through a straw can help to minimize the exposure of your front teeth to these pigments.
All kinds of tobacco are also notoriously bad tooth-enamel-stainers. (They're also harmful to your health.) To keep your smile bright and white, you can prevent it from yellowing by refraining from tobacco use.
While over-the-counter whitening products are not as strong, fast, or effective as professional whitening treatments, they do work. As a result, they are a great tool for maintaining your bright, white smile in between professional treatments. Using whitening toothpaste on a daily basis can help you ward off the minor stains and discoloration that would otherwise accumulate each day.
Professional teeth whitening treatments can take years off of your appearance, enhance your natural beauty, and give you a boost of confidence. Whether you choose to whiten at home or in our office, you'll be able to enjoy a brighter, whiter, and more evenly-colored smile. To learn more about professional teeth whitening or alternative cosmetic treatments designed to enhance your smile, we welcome you to contact our dental office in Yarmouth, Maine today.
Call 207-550-2415 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.
