How often have you asked (or heard asked) this very common question? How can I get my teeth as white as possible? Over and over again, dentists tell their patients that, for the best results, they should let their dentist whiten their teeth for them. But how does professional teeth whitening by a dentist in West Edmonton work?
Here’s an introduction to professional teeth whitening and how it can help you accomplish your goals. If this feels like a good alternative for helping you to meet your needs, make an appointment with a dentist near you.
What does “bleaching” mean?
Yes, your dentist in West Edmonton will bleach your teeth. But, no, they won’t use bleach in the way that you might think of the phrase. In other words, your dentist will not use laundry bleach. Laundry bleach contains varying concentrations of a poisonous substance called sodium hypochlorite. Sodium hypochlorite is poisonous and is never used by dentists — except when doing laundry.
What does your dentist use to “bleach” your teeth? Teeth are whitened using compounds made from two common ingredients: hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. At concentration levels used by your dentist, both hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are safe for use on your teeth. Hydrogen peroxide is contained in many first aid kits and is even ingested by some people at 35% as an alternative treatment for various ailments. Carbamide peroxide breaks down, in part, into hydrogen peroxide in water. Carbamide peroxide at up to 22% concentration is commonly used in safe DIY teeth-whitening products. With their specialized training, equipment and expertise, dentists use even stronger concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide on your teeth without any risk to your health.
Many stains form on your teeth when compounds contained in foods and drinks produced by smoking accumulate in the porous outer layer of enamel on your teeth. From a casual glance, your teeth may look like they have a solid and smooth surface, but enamel is quite porous and prone to accumulating those staining deposits. When hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide is placed on your teeth, a chemical reaction breaks up those accumulations of staining substances to allow them to be cleared away.
What is the teeth whitening process?
There are two ways to obtain professional teeth whitening near you: In the dentist’s office through chairside whitening or at home using take-home trays provided by your dentist.
Chairside whitening
During an in-office appointment for teeth whitening in West Edmonton, your dentist and hygienist will completely clean your teeth. Once your teeth are clean, your dentist will apply a hydrogen peroxide gel of 10 to 35% concentration. Your dentist will apply a specialized light to the hydrogen peroxide-coated teeth to accelerate the breaking apart of the stains on your teeth. Your dentist will then remove the hydrogen peroxide substances from your teeth, then repeat the process several times during your appointment. Your teeth may be whitened by six to eight shades in a single appointment.
Take-home whitening trays
If you want the benefits of professional-grade bleaching products in the comfort of your home, a dentist will provide you with take-home whitening trays. Your dentist will examine your teeth to ensure whitening is an appropriate treatment for you, then take impressions to help technicians to create soft dental trays. A layer of gel containing 10 to 20% carbamide peroxide will be loaded into those trays. You can whiten your teeth by wearing those trays at home for a few hours (either during the day or even as you sleep). At-home trays contain stronger products than DIY options from retail stores but less powerful substances than those used in the dentist’s office.
What’s the next step to whitening teeth by your dentist in the office or home? Call a dentist near you and arrange a consultation and assessment appointment.