Teeth Whitening
Teeth Whitening A dim or discolored smile may have you feeling insecure and unhappy. Like many people, you probably want to smile when your teeth are bright and white and try not to show them when they aren’t. At Creedmoor Family Dentistry, we’d like to help you feel and look your best, and we offer teeth whitening as a way to achieve that bright smile you want to show to the world. You’ve likely heard of teeth whitening through many over-the-counter products, but professional whitening will help you achieve a great smile much quicker and more effectively. Call Dr. Willis for an appointment to get a professional grade whitening kit. The Difference between Professional and OTC Teeth Whitening While you can pick up a whitening kit at many nearby stores and pharmacies, you’ll get better results by coming to see Dr. Willis. Over-the-counter kits may be cheaper and easier to purchase, but they lack the concentration of whitening agents that professional treatments do. The darker the stain, in fact, the more difficult it may be to remove, which means you may end up with blotchy, unevenly whitened teeth after using an over-the-counter product. Over-the-counter kits aren’t strong enough to achieve the results of professional teeth whitening treatments. You can tell Dr. Willis if your teeth have been stained by tobacco use, caffeine and alcohol consumption, medications, or acidic foods, and he will able to adjust your treatments to get your teeth to look the way you wish. Since whitening doesn’t affect the color of dental restorations, Dr. Willis can recommend such options as dental bonding or veneers to give you a whiter smile if whitening isn’t available. Also, while whitening your teeth is considered safe, the higher concentration of professional whitening treatments, as well as their administration by a dentist, means you don’t need to use as much to achieve great results. Over-the-counter whitening products aren’t as strong, leading many to overuse them to get the same level of whiteness. This can lead to two common side effects: tooth sensitivity due to damage to the enamel, and pain along the gum line from repeated applications of the whitening gel (which can “burn” the gums). The Teeth Whitening Procedure Teeth whitening is a simple procedure. When you make an appointment with Dr. Willis, you can find out what will be done and if you are a good candidate. You cannot whiten crowns and veneers, and if you have very sensitive gums and teeth, this procedure may not be for you. If your teeth are brown or grayish, a condition often caused by certain medications, you may also want to consider choosing veneers over whitening, as those types of stains often do not bleach well. To keep your teeth white, you’ll need to take care of them. Talk to Dr. Willis about whitening products you can use, such as toothpaste and mouthwash, to maintain your bright smile. Also, avoid foods that can stain your teeth again, including red wine and dark liquids, and definitely avoid tobacco products. Maintaining your oral hygiene routine will also help keep your smile looking bright and youthful. We want you to look and feel your best at Creedmoor Family Dentistry. If you’d like to have your teeth whitened, contact us and make an appointment with Dr. Willis to explore your potential for treatment. |