Are You Interested in Teeth Whitening? Learn About the Two Main Options
Millions of Californians have some type of dental discoloration. Even a person who follows a perfect home oral health care routine can find that their teeth aren’t as white as they’d like them to be, thanks to the foods they eat, their aging process, or simply factors relating to their environment. The good news is that California Dental Group offers some innovative options for teeth whitening that can help eliminate or reduce stains and brighten your teeth.
Technically you have additional options but we don’t recommend them
When you read the headline, you may have wondered what it meant. After all, you’ve likely seen dozens of teeth whitening options on the shelves at your local drug store. In fact, it’s true that there are technically more options than ever before, we don’t recommend these over the counter options. Working with your dentist, whether with an in-office or at-home treatment, is the safest option and offers you the most dependable results.
Over the counter teeth whitening
The main advantage of over the counter teeth whitening options is that they’re cheaper. This includes everything from toothpastes to mouthwashes. These can be somewhat effective. For example, toothpastes include a mild abrasive that can lighten teeth by as much as a shade. Mouthwashes have peroxide and can bleach the teeth.
That said, these aren’t the best options. Mouthwashes only come in contact with your teeth for about a minute, which isn’t really enough time to be effective. The whitening trays you see at the store don’t fit well. The gel tends to ooze out and can actually inflame your gums. That’s why we recommend trays that are customized for your tooth.
In-office tooth whitening
If you visit California Dental Group for teeth whitening then the first thing we’ll do is to give you an oral exam. We’ll go over your health history and decide what type of restoration is going to work best for your specific needs.
You’ll see the quickest results with in-office bleaching. We apply a special product to your teeth and then treat it with heat, light, or laser. In just a single half hour or hour treatment, you are likely to see results. For the best results, we typically suggest a few appointments.
We may also suggest take-home whitening options. These are effective, though you don’t usually get the same dramatic results you get with in-office bleaching. We follow this method by placing a whitening gel on your teeth. It’s much stronger than peroxide. It’s on your teeth for less than an hour, and it will break down the molecules of the stains. In some cases, we may suggest combining in-office and at-home options.
The bottom line is that there is no one-size fits all teeth whitening option. We can provide you with detailed information on all the main options, their pros and cons, and their costs. Then you can make the most informed decision about what’s best for you. Reach out to California Dental Group today at (800) 407-0161 to make your appointment.
