Teeth whitening in Clearwater
We offer both in-office and at-home teeth whitening options to help brighten your smile by five to seven shades, depending on the treatment you choose. If you have crowns, bridges, or other replacement teeth, those will not whiten, so it may help to whiten your natural teeth before dental work is done.
Teeth Whitening Options
You have a variety of choices available of ways to whiten your teeth. There are gentle whiteners that just get the surface of the teeth, and there are stronger whiteners that can get rid of deeper stains as well. The three basic kinds of teeth bleaching products are:
- Teeth whitening toothpastes
- At-home teeth whitening systems or kits
- In-office, professional teeth whitening
Teeth Whitening At Home
The gentlest option for teeth whitening in Clearwater, whitening toothpastes help to remove surface stains on your teeth. The way they work is by relying on a polishing action instead of chemicals. Therefore, they have little in the way of side effects. They do, however, take some time to work, taking several days or weeks to lighten the teeth to a satisfactory shade.
You can obtain at-home teeth whiteners over the counter at your local grocery or drug store or from your Clearwater dentist. You can also apply them in several ways: on strips, with trays, using a brush or as a mouth rinse. Typically, they contain peroxide, a chemical that lightens tooth enamel by getting below the surface of the tooth.
If you get home-use whitening trays from your dentist, they may be custom-fit for your lower and upper teeth. To use them, you pour in a whitening gel, then wear them overnight or for short periods of the day. Your dentist will let you know how long you should wear them. Avoid wearing them too long, however, so the peroxide in the whitening gel doesn't irritate your teeth.
Teeth Whitening In Office
In-office teeth whitening is performed by your Clearwater dentist or a dental assistant or dental hygienist in the office. The whiteners applied in a dental office in Clearwater contain much more peroxide and, therefore, are a lot stronger than home-use teeth whiteners and whitening toothpastes. As such, they also brighten and whiten teeth quicker than those other ways.
In-office teeth whitening typically takes about an hour. The teeth bleaching dentist may cover your gum tissue with a protective gel or a thin, rubber sheet in order to help protect the rest of your mouth from the peroxide. The dentist may also use a laser or light to help quicken the process.
Teeth Bleaching Cost
To get your teeth whitened in a dentist's office costs more than take-home kits. The total cost will depend on the kind of bleaching used and if molds will be made of your teeth.
Speak with your Clearwater dentist before trying any tooth whitening solution if your gums have pulled back from your teeth in places, as this process can irritate those areas. Your dentist may also suggest you get any cavities or other dental damage, disease or decay taken care of before you use any tooth whitening products.
Note, as well, that crowns, fillings and implants will not change color from tooth whitening products and treatments. For that reason, it could be wise to whiten your teeth before getting those dental restorations, if possible, so that your dentist can match their shade to the shade of your natural teeth after they've been whitened.
How to Keep Your Teeth Bright
Once you've whitened your teeth, your next step is to make sure you retain that brightness as much as possible. Recently whitened teeth could actually stain easier. So, avoid foods and drinks that can stain (like sodas, coffee, red wine, and berries) and tobacco products for a few days after your teeth have been freshly whitened. Over time, your teeth will return to their natural shade. But, with the right habits, including good daily dental hygiene, you can keep your whiter teeth brighter for years to come.
