Teeth Whitening is Not a Small Thing!

Feb 23

It may seem like a small matter but you might wanna start searching for "Teeth whitening near me" online. You may choose to get your teeth professionally whitened if you want to add a little additional glitter to your teeth beyond what regular daily brushing and routine dental cleanings can provide.

Unlike everyday brushing and teeth cleanings, which remove plaque and discoloration from the tooth's surface, in-office professional whitening penetrates the tooth from the inside, where age and medication-related discoloration arises. As a result, the main advantage of in-office whitening over routine dental maintenance and over-the-counter solutions is that it produces a considerable color change in a short amount of time.

Also, you might want to ask a dentist for advice. They will tell you that teeth-whitening products available over the counter or in a dental office won't only give your pearly whites a little extra sparkle but they may also lead to some adverse effects. Make sure you read product labels so as not to let something shocking happen to you.

Some of these whitening agents are bleach-based, which means they contain peroxide or carbamide, chemical compounds that break down stains on the surface of your teeth. Others are acidic or abrasive in nature, meaning they contain acids or components that will abrade the enamel of your teeth, leaving them sensitive and vulnerable to damage in the days following treatment.

As peroxide is a strong bleaching agent that can harm both your enamel and gums, the American Dental Association discourages over-the-counter whitening products containing this ingredient. And although peroxide is not an active ingredient in all teeth-whitening products, it may be present in others, so be sure to check the label before buying. What's more, some whitening agents also irritate the inside of your mouth, causing excessive saliva production and burning sensations.

Overall, it is not really advisable to DIY your teeth whitening. You must seek professional help to avoid any adverse effects.

Why Do Our Teeth need whitening in the first place?

To understand why some people have to whiten their teeth, you first need to understand why they are not naturally as white as they should be.

Teeth start out as a creamy white color and gradually acquire stains from food and drink over time – coffee, tea, tobacco, red wine, etc. – which accumulate in the tiny spaces between the enamel and dentin layers of the tooth.

Stains are created when debris that is naturally occurring in our mouths combines with either naturally occurring or added substances to produce pigments. Certain foods, like blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and pomegranates contain natural pigment-producing ingredients; other foods, like the aforementioned coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco contain pigmentation-producing substances that are added during processing.

The permanent color of our teeth is determined by the enamel layer, which protects the dentin underneath. Unfortunately, the enamel can also be easily stained due to its porous nature. When stains get beyond the enamel's surface, they become fixed because the enamel can't be penetrated by whitening agents.

Whitening can get rid of surface stains on teeth, but not the ones below the tooth's enamel layer where they have become fixed.

Here at River District Smiles, we provide our patients with a thorough consultation before starting an in-office teeth whitening treatment. We take every measure to ensure the best possible experience, including taking digital impressions of your upper and lower arches which allows us to custom fit your tray for maximum comfort.

All our professional whitening trays are made with high-quality, food-grade plastic that will not irritate your gums or leave you feeling discomfort. And if after the first session, you decide to opt for the second round of at-home whitening using custom trays made from your impressions, we will provide them to you at a discounted price! Call us today for more information!

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