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Teeth Whitening 101

teeth whitening 101

Are you self-conscious about smiling because of the colour of your teeth? Your teeth are a huge part of your face, appearance, and self-confidence. Many people are reluctant to show them in photographs or on special occasions because they don’t live up to their perception of perfect pearly whiteness.

If you’d like to feel confident and free to show your pearly whites day by day or are particularly excited to smile broadly on a special occasion, teeth whitening in Red Deer may be the perfect solution.

What causes teeth to change colour at all?

  • Intensely coloured foods and drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine stain your teeth because pigments called chromogens bind with enamel.

  • Nicotine, when combined with oxygen while smoking, is converted to a yellowy substance that stains teeth.

  • As you age, the white enamel on your teeth wears away, gradually revealing the dentin. Dentin is a yellowish substance.

  • Trauma to your teeth can cause them to change colour since your teeth can respond by producing more of that yellowish dentin.

  • Some medications have side effects that can darken the colour of teeth, particularly antihistamines, antipsychotics, high blood pressure medications, and antibiotics taken by young children.

How does teeth whitening work?

One of two types of bleaching compounds in teeth whitening products is carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. Both substances break down stains when applied to teeth. If the cause of discoloration on your teeth is because of trauma, teeth whitening treatments may not be effective. It is also important to note that whitening compounds do not remove stains on veneers, crowns, or fillings.

If you are interested in receiving teeth whitening in Red Deer, contact our dental clinic near you to determine if you are the right candidate for this treatment. You must consult with your dentist to determine if your teeth will respond well to the whitening agents. It is common for yellowed teeth to respond well to whitening treatments. However, browned teeth typically do not respond well.

What are your teeth whitening options?

For advice about teeth whitening in Red Deer, you should have an assessment with a dentist. As a general rule, there are four different approaches to teeth whitening.

  • Toothpaste. The American Dental Association (ADA) places its Seal of Acceptance on the packaging of toothpaste with mild abrasives that will whiten teeth. Keep in mind that toothpaste doesn’t actually change the colour of your teeth. All they do is remove stains and add polish.

  • Over-the-Counter Bleach Products. The ADA has approved some at-home bleaching products that you can buy at almost every drugstore and grocery store. DIY kits contain the same bleaching compounds as your dentist would use, but at a much lower strength and without the option of adjusting them to your particular stains and sensitivity.

  • At-Home Bleaching Provided By Your Dentist: Dentists can provide trays that are customized to the shape of your teeth so that you can whiten your teeth at home!
  • Chairside Bleaching. Dental offices in Red Deer offer professional teeth whitening. In a single one-hour appointment, your dentist will use the strongest possible bleaching compounds tailored to your particular stains and sensitivity using specialized equipment including LED lights to accelerate the stain-dissolving process. In just one hour, your teeth may be whitened by as many as eight shades.

Are teeth whitening right for you?

Are you interested in receiving teeth whitening near you? Contact our dental clinic today to determine if you are the right candidate for this treatment. Although receiving teeth whitening in Red Deer is a great way to enhance the look of your smile, this treatment is not for everyone. If you experience intense tooth sensitivity, are pregnant, under the age of 14, or have other oral health issues, it is recommended that you do not receive teeth whitening. Contact our Red Deer dentist to learn more about teeth whitening near you!