TEETH WHITENING NEAR YOU
Do you have teeth that are stained and discolored? Are you sick of looking in the mirror and seeing a less than perfect smile? Well lucky for you there are teeth whitening services available at your local dental office. Professional teeth whitening procedures can whiten your smile about 5 to 10 shade in a single one hour dental appointment. Not only that, but teeth whitening is affordable and minimally invasive.
Did You Know?
Teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dental treatment because of its ability to improve the look of your smile while being one of the most affordable cosmetic dental treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Am I a candidate for teeth whitening?
You may be a candidate for teeth whitening if you have teeth that are currently stained or discolored. However teeth whitening procedures work best on stains caused by things like diet and bad oral hygiene habits. To find out if you are an ideal candidate for teeth whitening, schedule a consultation with your Kamloops dental office today.
What can I expect during teeth whitening procedures?
The first step to having your teeth whitening is to have them professionally cleaned by a dental hygienist. Teeth cleaning ensures that all the excess plaque and tartar is removed from the surface of your teeth in order to allow for a smooth and even application of the whitening product. Once your teeth have been thoroughly cleaned, the whitening product will be brushed onto the surface of your teeth. Sometimes, your dentist may choose to use whitening trays by filling the trays with a whitening product and placing them over your teeth. The Whitener will remain in place for approximately 30-60 minutes before it is rinsed off. Although the results may not be immediately noticeable, the whitener will continue to work for 24 hours after its initial application.
How does teeth whitening work?
Teeth whitening works because of chemistry. The whitening agents used for profession whitening treatments are made up of concentrated hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. Once absorbed into the enamel and dentin layers of the teeth, hydrogen molecules initiate an oxidation reaction that breaks the bonds of discolored molecules. This essentially dissolves the discolorations, leaving your teeth whiter and brighter. The waste product that results from the oxidation reaction is water, therefore it can safely be absorbed by the body.
What can I expect after having my teeth whitened?
After having your teeth whitened, you will want to avoid eating or drinking any highly pigmented food or beverages for the first 24 hours. This is because the whitener is still actively removing stains. To get the best results, you will not want to expose your teeth to additional pigments that can cause stains.
How long does teeth whitening last?
Teeth whitening results can last anywhere from 6 months to 3 years. The reason why this is such a broad range is because the length of your teeth whitening results will depend on a number of factors such as your diet, your oral hygiene habits, and even your age.
In order to keep your results lasting longer, you will want to minimize or avoid eating and drinking highly pigmented food and beverages. However, if you must have these foods and beverages, the next best thing is to brush your teeth immediately after their consumption. This prevents the pigments from being absorbed into the teeth where they can become permanent stains.
You will also want to practice good oral hygiene habits such as brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily. Additionally, you will also need to schedule regular dental cleanings with your dentist at least once every 6 months.
