Everyone knows that the best way to maintain oral health and a bright, white smile is through daily brushing and flossing. However, even with an excellent oral hygiene routine, you may still find that your smile lacks the sparkle you desire. At Dentus Family Dental, we provide professional teeth whitening in St. Albert as an effective, safe, and inexpensive way for our clients to get the bright, white smile of their dreams.
What Causes Tooth Discoloration?
There are many reasons that our teeth become yellow or less bright over time:
- Tobacco use- the chemicals found in tobacco not only harm your health but they create stubborn stains on your teeth.
- Food and drink- if you regularly drink coffee, indulge in red wine, or eat berries as a snack, you may notice some stains on your teeth.
- Aging- our teeth are made of many layers. Below the hard, white outer shell of our teeth is a softer layer called the dentin. The dentin has a yellow color, and as we age, the enamel thins out and allows the dentin to show through.
- Trauma- if you have been hit in the mouth, your tooth may react to the injury by creating more dentin, causing your tooth to darken in color.
It is important to understand the cause of your tooth discoloration to properly address it and effectively brighten your smile. If you are suffering from tooth discoloration, the best thing to do is schedule a comprehensive oral examination with a St. Albert dentist
Over the Counter vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
With so many cheap options for over-the-counter teeth whitening, you may be wondering why you should choose the more expensive option of professional teeth whitening. While over-the-counter whitening methods such as toothpaste and gels can be useful, they take much longer to whiten your teeth than professional whitening agents. Additionally, if used improperly, over-the-counter whitening products can significantly damage your teeth, breaking down your enamel and leading to permanent tooth sensitivity. If you want to guarantee safe and effective whitening treatment, you should always choose to get teeth whitening from a trusted and experienced dental professional.
How Does Professional Teeth Whitening Work?
There are two main options for professional teeth whitening: in-office and take-home teeth whitening.
When you visit our dental clinic for professional in-office teeth whitening, you can expect the process to be simple and efficient. Our dentist will begin by cleaning your teeth to ensure that there is a smooth surface for whitening. Next, they will place a dental dam in your mouth to protect your gums and lips from the whitening agent. After this, they will apply the whitening agent to your teeth and expose your teeth to an activation light to effectively bleach them. After just one round of professional teeth whitening near you, you can expect to benefit from a smile that is up to eight shades lighter.
If you opt for take-home professional whitening trays, you will need to visit our dentist so they can take impressions of your teeth. These impressions will be used to make custom-designed whitening trays that fit your teeth perfectly. Once your trays are ready, you will be given them along with professional-grade whitening agents to use to brighten your smile. Our dentist will provide you with precise instructions for use, and the perfectly-fitted trays will ensure smooth and even results.
Side Effects of Teeth Whitening
While professional teeth whitening is considered safe, you may experience some minor side effects from treatment:
- Tooth sensitivity- you may notice some temporary sensitivity after getting professional teeth whitening. Our dentist can provide you with options to help treat the sensitivity.
- Gum irritation- if your gums somehow come into contact with the whitening agent, they may become irritated for a short while. This should subside on its own.
It is important to remember that teeth whitening can only be performed every once in a while and should not be performed regularly.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on All Teeth?
Teeth whitening is only effective on certain kinds of teeth and forms of discoloration, which is why it is so important to speak to your dentist before moving forward with teeth whitening in St. Albert. While yellow teeth tend to bleach well, those who have brown discoloration may not be as responsive to whitening, and gray-toned teeth may not bleach at all. Whitening is also not effective on crowns, fillings, or veneers.
Visit Dentus Family Dental
If you would like to brighten and whiten your smile, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated team of dental professionals at Dentus Family Dental. We are happy to provide high-quality, professional teeth whitening so our patients can enjoy a healthy, radiant, and confident smile for years to come. Please get in touch with us to book a consultation today.