Teeth Whitening For You And For Your Smile
We can’t tell you how many times this has happened at our dentist office in Tulsa, OK, but it’s happened enough.
A patient comes to our office looking for a way to remove the deep stains from his or her teeth. Many times, this is a patient who has tried over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments but has been disappointed with the results of those products.
There is a reason that professional teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dental service in the United States. Our team at Galleria of Smiles can help you see why.
To get started, call (918) 496-8010 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
What Teeth Whitening Products Can & Can’t Do
Do all teeth whitening products work? Yes, they do to some degree.
The problem is that commercials and packaging proclaiming everything from toothpaste to mouthrinses to gels as “whitening” products can be confusing. As more and more of these products were introduced, the American Dental Association decided to take a closer look at what these products could do.
After researching a variety of products the ADA’s Council on Scientific Affairs issued a statement.
The council divided whitening products into two large categories: bleaching and non-bleaching products.
It’s important to point out that whitening toothpaste falls in the non-bleaching category. This is important because it helps to explain why nearly every toothpaste box you see mentions whitening.
Non-bleaching whitening products basically remove surface stains from your teeth. In other words, they can have a limited effect on fairly recent stains that have been added to your teeth.
To get the deeper stains, you will need to use something with a bleaching agent. Typically, this is a peroxide-based ingredient, usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
Many teeth whitening gels and strips do contain these ingredients. However, the amount of bleaching agent is limited in over-the-counter products. As a result, they can make your teeth a little white given enough time. Unfortunately, this is often not as white as patients would like.
The Power Of Professional Teeth Whitening
At Galleria of Smiles, we offer options for patients interested in professional teeth whitening.
If over-the-counter teeth whitening products were like the average guy at the gym, then KöR and Opalescence are like competitive power lifters. Not only can professional whitening do more, it can do it in less time.
The biggest difference between professional and commercial whitening products is the concentration of the bleaching agents. This also is why you should only use professional whitening products under the supervision of a dental professional.
With that said, professional whitening can make a huge different in the color of your teeth in as little as a single visit. We can’t say this happens to every patient, but we have had people cry tears of joy when they see their new smiles for the first time.
In addition to KöR and Opalescence, we also offer laser teeth whitening.
This process combines the benefits of hydrogen peroxide with a dental laser to get to the deepest stains on your teeth.
All of our professional whitening options have proven to be quite effective at removing stubborn stains from discolored teeth. To learn how they are different and which one might be right for you, call Galleria of Smiles at 918-302-2401.
Will Teeth Whitening Work For Everyone?
Professional teeth whitening is a great way to remove stains from your teeth.
These kinds of stains are caused by the foods we eat (pasta, pizza, desserts, etc.) and by things we drink (coffee, tea, soft drinks, etc.).
Unfortunately, staining is just one possible reason your teeth can become discolored.
Tooth decay can damage your enamel and expose more of the yellow dentin (the layer below the enamel). Trauma to your teeth can cause them to change color as well.
Illnesses, as well as some medications, can cause teeth to become discolored as well.
For those situations, teeth whitening may not produce the results that you want.
However, there is hope. We also offer dental veneers as part of our cosmetic dentistry.
Dental veneers are shells that can be bonded to the front of your teeth. Veneers can be shaded to look as white as you want them to be. These means that they are another way you can create a bright smile or restore the white smile of your younger days.
Want A Whiter Smile?
Then start by scheduling a consultation at Galleria of Smiles. Call 918-302-2401 for our Tulsa location or contact us online.
