When it comes to achieving a whiter smile, you're really left with two options: in office teeth whitening or do-it-yourself solutions. People love the convenience and ease of grabbing a whitening kit off the shelves of their local drug store, but at home kits have their downsides, especially for those with sensitive teeth. With at home whitening kits, you really are left to your own devices and can easily damage your teeth or gums. You're also likely to feel tooth or gum sensitivity for results that don't compare to what in office teeth whitening services guarantee.
In office teeth whitening solutions are much safer and more effective than at home kits. With professional teeth whitening, you can expect to see results in a fraction of the time, sometimes even in a single day. You'll also be under the care of an experienced dentist during your visit, who will make sure that your whitening session is tailored to your teeth's sensitivity.
In office teeth whitening technology has evolved over the years, expanding beyond just bleaching. Zoom teeth whitening, laser teeth whitening, and Crest teeth whitening are a few of the most popular choices among patients.
Zoom Teeth Whitening
Zoom teeth whitening is a fast and effective in office whitening solution. Zoom whitening uses LED lights and gel to accelerate the bleaching process and it's not uncommon for this procedure to take less than an hour and a half.
Your dentist will begin by first cleaning any debris from your teeth before applying the Zoom peroxide gel to your teeth. Then you will be placed under the Zoom LED light for around 15 minutes while the LED light helps to activate the peroxide to break down stains and remove tooth discoloration. This specific whitening procedure can whiten your teeth up to 8 shades during your visit.
Zoom technology even allows your dentist to adjust the intensity settings to decrease the likelihood of severe tooth sensitivity from in office teeth whitening. Contact Kneib Dentistry to see if you would be a good candidate for Zoom teeth whitening!
Laser Teeth Whitening
Laser teeth whitening is similar to Zoom teeth whitening, however, they have some differences. Laser teeth whitening uses laser technology, which differs from LED lights, to whiten your teeth after a hydrogen peroxide gel has been applied.
Your dentist will take the small beam from the laser to go over each tooth individually while the heat from the laser oxidizes the whitening solution. Because this whitening procedure requires a large amount of attention to detail from your dentist, it can take some time to complete. Laser teeth whitening is typically the most expensive of all in office whitening solutions for this same reason.
Crest Teeth Whitening
Kneib Dentistry offers take-home Crest whitening strips, but these aren't to be confused with over-the-counter whitening products. These professional treatments use a stronger whitening agent than typical at-home kits and can provide better quality results, faster.
At Kneib Dentistry, we offer two types of take home whitening treatments: Crest whitening strips and custom molded trays. When you come into our office for whitening trays, your dentist will begin by taking an impression of your teeth so that a whitening tray can be accurately molded to the shape of your teeth and gums. "At home" whitening kits aren't custom made or molded to fit your mouth. This means that with "at home" kits there's a greater chance that poorly fitting strips will rub against your gums and irritate your mouth.
The Crest Whitestrips Supreme, which whitens your teeth with a high concentration of peroxide (14% to be exact), are beneficial because they don't use harsh bleaching methods to achieve a sparkling smile. This product can only be purchased through a dental professional and your dentist will instruct you on the best way to use this whitening method.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
One of the biggest questions most patients ask regarding teeth whitening is whether or not it is safe. As with many things, improper or incorrect usage of any product has the potential to result in negative side effects or experiences. The American Dental Association does deem hydrogen peroxide based whitening methods safe to use. They also recognize that both in office whitening and take home methods are safer than at home kits that entail no supervision from your dentist or dental professionals.
If you're curious about teeth whitening and have more questions about cosmetic dental procedures, talk to your dentist about the treatments that would be best for you.
How can I keep my teeth white after treatments?
Teeth whitening treatments can help to boost your confidence in your smile, but over time your white teeth may become yellow and dull over time. Yellow teeth are completely normal, so there's no need to fret if your teeth yellow after some time. However, we also understand that some patients may see greater benefits in whitening treatments and want to best understand how to keep their teeth white after their treatments.
Common reasons why teeth yellow:
- Consuming acidic beverages or foods, such as tomato based sauces, coffee, and wine
- Smoking
- Poor dental hygiene
- Genetic reasons
- Medications that contain ingredients that cause teeth to yellow
- Overexposure to fluoride
- Age-related reasons
Some of these are preventable, but others such as age and genetic predisposition, are out of your control. It's best to talk with your dentist about how frequently you can whiten your teeth without causing damage to your mouth and gums. Otherwise, staying away from acidic foods, using straws, and getting into the routine of healthy dental hygiene habits will help to keep your teeth whiter for longer.
Get Brighter Pearly Whites with Kneib Dentistry
In office treatments are safer, faster, and provide better results for our patients. If you're curious about teeth whitening, we would love to talk to you over the phone or in our office! Kneib Dentistry is committed to providing only the best dental care to our patients and you can rest assured that no matter what treatment brings you into our office, you'll receive outstanding dental care.
