Lewis Center Teeth Whitening
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening products use active ingredients called peroxides. The two most commonly-used peroxides are hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. These compounds have a very volatile composition that reacts to organic surface stains on the teeth. When this reaction occurs, the chemical bonds that hold the stain onto your enamel are broken. In turn, this “bleaches” the stain away.
In-Office And Take-Home Whitening Options
Both in-office and take-home teeth whitening will offer similar results. The main difference is the speed of your treatment. For in-office whitening, Dr. Gavin uses KOR and Zoom products. These highly-concentrated whitening compounds are used with a special UV light to boost their potency and speed up results. With this treatment, you can get a smile that’s up to 5 shades whiter in just a single appointment.
In contrast, take-home teeth whitening can take several weeks. Dr. Gavin will provide you with custom Opalescence or KOR teeth whitening trays. Then, you’ll wear these in the comfort of your own home. You will gradually notice the shade of your smile becoming brighter and brighter.
The Benefits Of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening has a number of great benefits, making it the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatment among our patients:
Comparing Professional vs. Store-Bought Whitening Treatments
Not sure if professional teeth whitening is right for you? Considering an over-the-counter (OTC) store-bought whitening treatment? There are a few reasons that OTC treatments are not the best choice if you want whiter teeth.
First, OTC whitening treatments are “one-size-fits-all.” They are not customized for your teeth, or for your desired results. Because of this, they simply don’t offer the same level of whitening power as a professional take-home or in-office treatment from Dr. Amy Gavin.
In addition, most ADA-approved whitening kits like Crest Whitestrips have relatively low levels of whitening compounds. This is for your safety, and to ensure you don’t accidentally over-whiten your teeth. But it also means that these products take a long time to deliver results.
The opposite can also be true, though. Some whitening kits available online have extremely high, unsafe levels of peroxide whiteners. If you don’t use them properly, they could over-whiten your teeth, making the enamel look chalky and brittle. You could also damage your gums if the whitener contacts them, and this can cause a lot of pain and discomfort.
There are also some “whitening treatments” out there that simply don’t work, and can damage your teeth. Charcoal toothpaste is a good example of this. It’s become quite popular in recent years, but it doesn’t actually whiten your teeth at all. It’s a harsh abrasive, and brushing with it wears down your enamel. While this may make your teeth look a little bit whiter, it also causes permanent, irreversible damage to your teeth.
Professional in-office and take-home treatments from Dr. Gavin may be more expensive than OTC whitening treatments. But you get what you pay for! We guarantee safe, long-lasting, professional results when you work with the team at Olentangy Modern Dental.
How Long Do the Results of Teeth Whitening Last?
This mostly depends on how well you care for your teeth. Most patients find that their results last somewhere between 1-3 years. However, yearly touch-up treatments can extend your results indefinitely, and keep your teeth white for years to come.
You can also take a few steps to help keep your teeth white. Minimizing the consumption of beverages like coffee, tea, wine, and cola can help. You can also drink these beverages through a straw, which ensures they don’t contact your teeth directly.
It is important to continue brushing twice a day and flossing once a day to keep stains off of your teeth. Also, remember to come and see Dr. Gavin every six months for a teeth cleaning and oral exam.
You should also stop smoking or using oral tobacco products, as this will re-stain your teeth quickly. Whitening toothpaste and mouthwash that contain peroxide can also help keep your smile bright and prevent the buildup of stains.
Will My Teeth Whitening Treatment Be Painful?
No. The process of teeth whitening is completely painless and non-invasive. You may experience some minor tooth sensitivity during the whitening process, but this will usually go away within a few days of treatment, and it can be treated by using a sensitivity toothpaste like Sensodyne.
Brighten Your Smile at Olentangy Modern Dental Today!
If you would like to restore your smile and are curious to learn more about teeth whitening and your other cosmetic dentistry options, come to Olentangy Modern Dental for an appointment today. Dr. Gavin will examine your mouth, and help you understand the best options for brightening and restoring your smile. Contact us now at (740) 200-5100 to schedule your appointment. You can also feel free to come to our office in-person at 7100 Graphics Way, Suite 3800, Lewis Center, OH 43035.