Maximize the Effectiveness of Tooth Whitening Treatments

Over time, it’s normal for teeth to gradually lose their whiteness, but it’s not something that you have to just accept and live with. Having a set of clean, white teeth is important for many of us, and can have a significant impact on your self-esteem and confidence. Fortunately, there are many different ways to get your teeth back to the bright shade of white that you want.

Tooth whitening treatments are extremely popular, and help you get your smile back in style quickly and easily. These treatments come in many forms, including professional and at-home methods, each with their own advantages and range of effects. Some provide a drastic change very quickly, while others are more gradual. The method you choose depends entirely on what your objectives are, but when you do undertake the procedure, you’re also going to want to take steps to ensure that the results last as long as possible.

In this article, we’re going to give you some tips and tricks that you can use to help prolong the effects and make the most out of your tooth whitening treatment. We’ll also provide some information on how some of the most popular tooth whitening treatments work, and the kinds of results that you can expect from them. But first, let’s talk a little about why you may want to get a tooth whitening treatment in the first place.

Why get a tooth whitening treatment?

Having a bright white set of teeth can have a big impact on how you feel about your appearance. When you are pleased with the way you look, you will have more self-confidence and self-esteem, which in turn can have notable effects on your mood and overall sense of well-being.

As your life progresses, it’s perfectly natural for your teeth to gradually become less white for many reasons. Some types of food and drink can have staining effects on your teeth, such as red wine, coffee, tomato sauce, colas, and berries, just to name a few. In addition, the use of tobacco products also has discoloration and staining effects on teeth. The onset and severity of tooth staining and discoloration is directly related to the frequency that these factors occur as part of your daily life. Because of this, some patients experience rapid tooth discoloration, others experience it far more gradually.

Tooth whitening treatments help to reverse the visual appearance of stains and discoloration of teeth, allowing you to get the look of your teeth back to a state that you are happy with. Having your smile look the way you want it to definitely gives a boost to your self-esteem and confidence.

How do tooth whitening treatments work?

There are two general methods for achieving a brighter, whiter smile. The first is through physical abrasion to scrub the stains off of the surface of your teeth. Whitening toothpastes contain an abrasive ingredient, usually along with a mild chemical agent to provide additional whitening effects, to help whiten your teeth each time you brush. Whitening toothpastes are very popular and offer a simple solution for getting a whiter smile, but the process takes time and does not achieve as dramatic a change as other tooth whitening methods.

The second, and more effective way to whiten teeth quickly, is with a bleaching treatment. Bleaching treatments can be done in multiple different ways, but the general principle is the same. A bleaching chemical is applied to the teeth for a short period of time, which helps to remove surface stains as well as deeper staining and discoloration of the tooth enamel.

Typical bleaching chemicals used to whiten teeth are hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These chemicals break down the staining compounds that are responsible for the discoloration of the teeth, removing the stains.

Tooth whitening treatments can be done in your dentists’ office, or at home. For the fastest results, the in-office treatment can be done in less than two hours and produces dramatically whiter teeth. At-home treatments offer added convenience for you, but take longer to achieve the final results.

To whiten your teeth at home, your dentist can provide you with a professional-strength whitening gel and a special whitening tray to use to apply the gel to your teeth. These custom-fitted trays are generally worn at night before bed, and can take between 10 and 14 days on average to achieve the final results.

You can also purchase over-the-counter tooth whitening kits at most pharmacies. These can either be similar to the gel-and-tray method provided by your dentist, or a kit of flexible strips. Although the chemicals used in these kits will be the same as professional treatments, the gels used will have a lower concentration of whitening compound in it, and as such will take longer and do not offer as dramatic a final result.

What can I do to better prepare for my tooth whitening treatment?

If you’ve decided to undergo a tooth whitening treatment, there are things that you can do in order to better prepare for it. First, you’re going to want to be diligent with your oral cleaning habits. The best results will come when your teeth are at their cleanest. You may even want to coordinate the timing of your teeth whitening treatment following your next oral hygiene checkup and cleaning with your dentist.

You’re also going to want to be sure that you don’t have any underlying dental health issues before you undergo a tooth whitening treatment. Consult with your dentist to confirm that there are no risks from complications related to other dental issues. If there are concerns, it’s best to deal with them first and then arrange for a tooth whitening at a later date when there will not be a risk of other problems developing.

How should I care for my teeth after my whitening treatment?

Once you’ve completed your tooth whitening treatment and are blessed with a bright white smile, you’re definitely going to want to care for your teeth to maintain the look for as long as possible. In order to prolong the effects of your tooth whitening treatment, here are some tips to follow.

Avoid Foods & Drinks That Stain

Be aware of the types of foods and drinks that tend to stain, and moderate your consumption of them. For example, while you may not be able to completely forgo your morning cup of coffee, you may want to choose an alternative beverage instead of going back for a second or third cup.

Rinse Regularly

Another quick tip to help reduce the effects of staining foods and drinks is to swish and rinse your mouth with water after consuming them. It will help to wash away any remaining particles that could continue to stain your teeth after eating.

Cease Tobacco Use

The dangers of tobacco use are common knowledge, so we encourage you to cease any and all use of tobacco as part of a healthy lifestyle. Tobacco has many negative effects on the body, including staining the teeth.

Be Diligent with Your Oral Care Habits

The best way to make sure that your teeth stay clean, white, and healthy is to be diligent with proper oral care habits including brushing and flossing, use of oral rinses, and regular cleanings and hygiene treatments with your dentist.

Book a tooth whitening treatment today & get your smile in style.

If you are considering tooth whitening to help improve the look of your smile, contact the team at Georgian Dental® today to arrange for your appointment. We’re confident that you’ll love the results, and how great you’ll feel with a set of bright and beautiful white teeth.