Even when you watch your diet and take excellent care of your oral health, age will eventually affect the color of your teeth. The process from having bright white teeth as a child to dull or yellow teeth as an adult happens gradually for most people. However, certain lifestyle habits can accelerate the process of tooth discoloration. Common examples include smoking, regularly eating or drinking dark-colored foods and beverages, and not brushing your teeth as often as you should.Professional teeth whitening and brightening your teeth with a kit you buy from a drugstore are two options for improving the appearance of your smile. People naturally want to make a good impression on others, and having an attractive smile is a simple way to achieve this goal. You just need to decide whether professional or tooth whitening at home is the best option for you.
Pros and Cons of At-Home Teeth Whitening
The reason most people opt to buy a teeth whitening kit from a drugstore and complete the process themselves at home is that it costs far less money. Some options that may be available to you include strips, gels, bleaches, and trays.One of the biggest downsides to teeth whitening at home is that you cannot customize your treatment to meet your specific goals for aesthetic improvement. Results are not immediate, and you may not see the dramatic improvement the manufacturer promised when advertising the product. Another thing to consider is that having misaligned teeth can affect how well an over-the-counter tooth whitening kit works for you.
What to Expect with Professional Teeth Whitening
When you request this popular cosmetic dentistry procedure from Ideal Dental, the first thing our dental team does is take impressions of your top and bottom rows of teeth. The molds help your dentist create a customized treatment plan. You will return to our office within a few days after our laboratory technicians have had a chance to create your molds.During your second appointment, a dental assistant pours bleaching gel into each mold and places one over your top teeth and one over your bottom teeth. You will remain in the dental chair for under one hour as the bleaching agent penetrates the enamel of your teeth to brighten the shade.You also have the option of having Ideal Dental prepare your customized tooth whitening molds and then completing the process at home. You do not have to worry about the trays interfering with speaking or eating since you only wear them at night.While you will not see results right away, you should notice that your teeth are several times brighter within several weeks of your whitening treatment. Discoloration may start to return within several months to two years. You can always return to our office for a touch-up anytime you want a brighter smile.
Schedule an Appointment
From routine dental checkups to professional teeth whitening services, Ideal Dental is here to provide trusted services from experienced dentists. Find your local Ideal Dental office and schedule an appointment today.