The most common cosmetic concern patients have about their teeth is staining. No matter how diligent we are with our oral care routines, some stains and yellowing are inevitable as we age. This is especially true if you partake in a few cups of coffee or tea each day! So how can you get that bright, white smile back? Here are 3 options for whitening your teeth.
1. Philips ZOOM!® Teeth Whitening
You've probably heard of this treatment before. It is popular for a reason: it works. After a single 45-minute treatment, your teeth will be up to 8 shades whiter. Zoom WhiteSpeed is ideal for reversing stains from food and drinks, aging, and certain medications.
During your treatment, your mouth with be prepped and your dentist will apply whitening gel to your teeth. Then, a blue LED lamp will be turned on and held up to your mouth to accelerate the whitening process. If you have sensitive teeth, the light can be adjusted to make sure you're comfortable throughout the procedure. This is repeated three times in 45 minutes; after that, we'll apply a post-treatment gel to protect your enamel.
Once you get home, it is recommended that you continue your treatment with custom whitening trays. These can be used to whiten your teeth even further right after treatment or weeks or months down the road, whenever you feel like you need a touch up.
2. Custom Fit Whitening Trays
Custom fit Whitening Trays offer a safe and effective way to whiten teeth. Whitening trays are made by taking impressions of your teeth in order to make trays that fit your mouth perfectly. Often, over the counter prefabricated trays or strips are ill fitting and can actually cause whitening solution to leak out of the trays and irritate your gums. Custom fit whitening trays are flexible and comfortable, allowing them to be worn for several hours at a time if needed.
Once the trays are made, your dentist will give you syringes of whitening solution and instruct you on how best to use it. You can safely whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home, car or office!
For faster results, it is recommended that an in office treatment is done in combination with office custom trays. However, if you are diligent about your treatment, custom fit whitening trays can offer you the results you desire!
3. Over-the-Counter Whitening Treatments
There's a wide array of whitening treatments available online and at your local pharmacy. Toothbrushes, mouth rinses, toothpaste, whitening strips and trays––even jars of charcoal! If you're wondering how to find a product that's both safe and effective with so many options out there, we have a tip that will make it easy: look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. The American Dental Association only gives their seal to products that work safely. Keep in mind, though, that home treatments are never quite as effective as the ones available at a dentist's office.
Learn More About Teeth Whitening in Waltham, MA
If you'd like to discuss whitening your teeth with us, we'd be happy to go over your options. Contact us to make an appointment at 781-373-3068.