Dec
Everyone has heard of teeth whitening. It is impossible to go down the toothpaste aisle at your local grocery store without noticing the shelves of products that all claim they will give you a Hollywood smile. It is easy to see how many people can be lured into buying these products. Discoloration of the teeth is common among adults. Dark colored foods and beverages, medication, or tobacco use can leave teeth looking yellow, stained, or dingy. Over the counter methods of teeth whitening can be tempting. They are inexpensive, easy to obtain, and seem convenient.
At Holistic Dental Centers, we hear from many of our Cary area patients who have tried over the counter methods of teeth whitening only to be disappointed with the results. For these patients, or others who have yet to try whitening, we offer the convenience of at home treatments paired with the strength of a professional bleaching formula.
Professional at-home whitening kits are typically less expensive than in-office whitening procedures and give patients the flexibility to whiten on their own schedule. It’s an easy, effective, and affordable way to enhance the appearance of your teeth.
Before beginning at-home whitening treatment, patients will come into the office for an evaluation. During this appointment, you will be fitted with a custom tray that you will use to apply the whitening gel to the teeth. In most cases, we will perform a thorough cleaning prior to treatment to remove any plaque and tartar to leave the surface of the teeth ready for the whitening agent.
It is important that you understand the directions for wearing your trays at home. While the entire whitening process is simple, it does require commitment to wear them every day as directed for optimal results. In addition, it is advised to avoid the dark foods and beverages that may have caused staining in the first place. Coffee, tea, soda, red wine, berries, and dark pasta sauces are some of the biggest culprits. Practicing good oral hygiene will also help keep your newly whitened teeth sparkling. Remember to brush at least twice a day to remove food particles from the teeth. Drinking lots of water and using mouth rinses can also help keep the surface of the teeth clean.