Home Teeth Whitening Advice from Primary Dental Care

The process of home teeth whitening has become a popular cosmetic option for many people who have stained or discolored teeth. Over the course of time, every person’s teeth become discolored. There is an effective and simple way for those who desire a brighter smile.

Why Teeth Become Discolored

The reasons why teeth become discolored are various. For many people, discoloration is simply a natural process that is associated with aging and use. What you eat and drink can influence how discolored your teeth become. As an example, wine and cola beverages can greatly increase the staining of teeth. Also, smoking will tarnish teeth. Certain medicines will turn teeth grey or light brown.

How effective the home teeth whitening process will be depends on a few factors, including how badly stained your teeth are, how much whitening agent is used, and for how long a period the whitening agent is applied at a given time.

Home Teeth Bleaching

The home teeth whitening process is done in four basic steps. The first involves engaging in a consultation with a dentist who will examine your teeth, discuss the process with you, and will tell you what types of results to expect.

Once you decide to undergo teeth bleaching, the dentist will make an impression of your teeth after making sure they are clean. A custom mouth tray is then made from the impression.

Your next visit involves your dentist making sure the custom tray fits properly and instructing you on the whitening process, which involves loading the tray with a hydrogen peroxide gel. Your dentist will show you how to put the gel in the tray and place it in your mouth.

On average, when one engages in home teeth whitening, they will use trays one to two hours at a time, twice a day, for two weeks. Times do vary, and the strength of the gel, how stained your teeth are, and the degree of whitening you want to achieve will influence how long you need to have the tray in your mouth.

Possible Risks

There are a few minor risks involved in home teeth whitening. The most common one involves teeth sensitivity. This side effect is often mild, and it is no longer a problem once you have completed the whitening process. If the discomfort is especially bothersome, you may be able to reduce it by using toothpaste with high levels of fluoride or one with desensitizing agents. Also, your dentist may prescribe a fluoride gel, which will help reduce your discomfort.

Some people opt to find relief for their sensitivity by shortening the amount of time they expose their teeth to the gel, or others, who are very sensitive, will stop treatment entirely. Alert you dentist to the problem, and they will be able to make an appropriate recommendation.

Another common side effect is gum irritation and/or discoloration, which is usually the result of putting too much of the whitening gel in your tray. Stopping the process for a day or two, and then adjusting the amount of hydrogen peroxide gel you use, will usually take care of this problem.

How Long Does Whitening Last?

Whitening is not permanent, as, once again, you will be exposing your teeth to the agents that cause staining. The length of time that your teeth will remain white will vary. It can be as long as a few months or up to two or three years.

Make an Appointment

Primary Dental Care in Garden Grove, California, offers home teeth whitening. This is a simple cosmetic process that can offer amazing results, brightening your smile in a major way.

For more information on home teeth whitening or to set up an appointment with Primary Dental Care, call us at 714-537-5700.