Teeth whitening is a procedure that people of all ages and races can do to brighten their smiles. Teeth can become stained by drinking coffee, tea, and red wine and smoking cigarettes which causes the teeth to look dull and dingy. A Leander teeth whitening specialist can perform this treatment in about an hour in their office. There are also home teeth whitening kits that you can purchase over the counter, which use a bleaching agent to lighten the teeth over some time.
There are several ways to whiten teeth, and we look at some of them in this article. Read on for more information.
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In-Office Teeth Whitening
A professional dentist or hygienist can perform an in-office teeth whitening treatment in about an hour. The dentist will first examine the teeth to ensure they are healthy and free of cavities. If there are any cavities, the dentist will need to fill them before starting the teeth whitening procedure.
The dentist will then apply a bleaching agent to the teeth and lighten them. The results of this thirty-minute treatment usually last six months or longer.
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Whitening Strips
Over-the-counter teeth whitening is easy and painless with strips custom-made for you by your dentist. By wearing these strips at night, your teeth will become whiter within the first week. When using whitening strips, it is essential to follow the directions and avoid contact with your gums, irritating them.
Whitening strips come with various advantages such as :
- being an affordable teeth whitening method
- the strips fit comfortably over your teeth and do not cause gum irritation
- teeth remain white for up to 12 months
- you can use them while you are at home or on the go
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Whitening Toothpaste
If you want to use a more natural way of whitening your teeth, you can use whitening toothpaste instead. You brush your teeth twice a day with this special paste, and you’re good to go! Remember that if your teeth are sensitive to cold or heat, this treatment might not be suitable for you. Whitening toothpaste works by gently removing surface stains from your teeth that can cause them to look dull and dingy. You will need to use it for a more extended period, but the results are often better than teeth-whitening strips.
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OTC Products
There are various over-the-counter (OTC) products that you can use to whiten teeth. They usually contain a bleaching agent that helps lighten the teeth over time. Some of these products work better than others, so it is vital to research before purchasing one.
One advantage of using an OTC product is that you can use it at home, and you do not need to go to a dentist or hygienist to have it done. It is also affordable when compared to professional teeth whitening treatments.
To summarize, teeth whitening is a procedure that people of all ages and races can do to brighten their smiles. There are four main types of teeth whitening, and they all offer different results. In-office teeth whitening is done at a dentist’s office. The other methods are the use of whitening strips, OTC products, and whitening toothpaste, all of which you can use at home.