Many people with yellow or stained teeth are embarrassed by their appearance and feel that it affects their self-esteem and ability to interact with others. This, in turn, affects their confidence in the workplace and even in their personal lives. Other people may simply want to have a whiter smile that gives them the confidence boost that they need to get through their day. No matter the reason, teeth whitening treatment is a great way to improve your confidence and make your teeth look their best.
Explain Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic treatment that uses bleach to lighten and brighten the color of your teeth. It’s one of the most common dental treatments performed today, and it’s not hard to see why. Our teeth become discolored by daily exposure to dark foods and drinks like coffee, red wine, and dark berries. Smoking also causes discoloration of the teeth. The natural aging process can also darken our grins. With teeth whitening treatments, you can easily reverse years of tooth discoloration and restore your bright smile.
All types of stains can be lightened with professional teeth whitening treatments. This includes both intrinsic and extrinsic tooth stains. Intrinsic staining occurs deep within the tooth structure, often due to trauma or internal issues like decay. Extrinsic tooth stains occur on the surface layer of the teeth as a result of external factors, such as smoking. Both forms of staining can be treated with a professional teeth whitening system.
Types of Teeth Whitening
At-Home Whitening
You can whiten your teeth at home using whitening kits that you can pick up at your local pharmacy or grocery store. These work much the same way trays do, but they’re less expensive for take-home use. You apply the gel to your teeth and then wear it for a set amount of time. That time is usually around one hour per day, but the instructions may vary depending on the product you use. You may see results within a few weeks with this method. However, the bleach solution is weaker than what we use in the office and may not provide the results you’re looking for.
In-Office Whitening
Our dentist in Omaha will place gauze in your mouth to protect your gums from the bleaching agent. We will then apply the bleach solution to the teeth. Many patients experience sensitivity during this process, which is usually mild and temporary. When the procedure is over, our Omaha dentist may recommend avoiding certain foods and drinks until the teeth are healed. They may also recommend you use toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth to avoid discomfort.
Patients should practice good oral hygiene habits at home to prevent discoloration in the future. This may include brushing twice a day and flossing daily to remove plaque buildup from hard-to-reach places in the mouth. Routine visits to the dentist are also recommended to ensure teeth are clean and healthy.
Teeth Whitening Effectiveness
In-office teeth whitening is usually more effective than take-home kits because our dentist in Omaha will apply a professional-grade whitening gel to your teeth, which has a higher concentration of bleach than that of at-home products. They’ll use a special light to help activate that bleaching action as well. You can maintain your whiter teeth by regularly using a home whitening kit or toothpaste with whitening agents. If your teeth begin to look yellow again, you can also talk to our dentist about a touch-up appointment.
If you’re serious about keeping your smile looking bright and healthy, consider scheduling an appointment with our dentist in Omaha to discuss the best options for keeping your teeth white for the rest of your life. You can visit Homan Family Dentistry at 11840 NICHOLAS ST., STE. 210, Omaha, NE 68154, or call (402) 498-0400 for the best dental care.
