If there's one cosmetic dental issue people find quite often, it's the fact that, when they smile, they see stained, yellow, or otherwise discolored teeth in the mirror. Tooth discoloration can be caused by a number of different factors or combination thereof — but whatever the cause, very few people, if any, are happy with the results.
This has led to a rise in people using whitening products or treatment to brighten their smiles. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to decide what the best whitening route is for your personal dental needs. Here are some ways you can achieve a whiter smile that you’re proud to show off.
DIY Whitening Treatments
If you're not looking to break the bank or prefer using more natural oral care methods, you may be tempted to try a DIY whitening treatment. One of the more popular ones tends to be creating a paste of water and baking soda and scrubbing your teeth with it every so often — in some cases, you may even try adding activated charcoal.
However, this isn't always a good idea. While baking soda and activated charcoal can help remove stains from your teeth, both these methods are abrasive and can wear down your enamel. If you go this route at home, only do so sporadically in order to avoid wearing down your teeth.
Whitening Toothpastes
A step up from DIY treatments, whitening toothpastes work by removing surface stains from your teeth. Depending on the amount of active whitening ingredients that your toothpaste has, it may be able to remove stains below the enamel as well.
If you use this toothpaste each day, you should aim to find one that also helps protect, if not strengthen your enamel. While decently effective, whitening toothpaste can take a while to truly give you the results you're hoping for, so you must be patient when choosing this whitening method.
Whitening Strips
If you're looking for a treatment that is a bit more effective, you may want to consider using whitening strips. These products use hydrogen peroxide to remove stains from your teeth and brighten your smile. When worn as often as directed, you should see results within a few weeks of wearing the strips.
The main downside, however, is that some strips may not stick to your teeth as securely as you would like and can be uncomfortable if they keep slipping and sliding around in your mouth.
At-Home Whitening Kits
A step up from whitening strips, at-home whitening kits can help improve the appearance of your smile much more effectively than store-bought solutions. If you opt for this method, your dentist will make custom-fit molds of your teeth and provide you with several syringes of clinical whitening solution to place in the molds and wear at home. Because of the strength of the whitening gel, you'll see much better results through the use of these kits over a shorter period of time.
In-Office Whitening Treatments
If you are preparing for a special occasion or want to see drastic results right away, then you should consider having your teeth whitened at your dental office. In as little as 1 hour, your dentist can perform a procedure that combines a high concentration of whitening solution with a special light that can have your teeth looking several shades whiter.
This method is also especially effective and beneficial for people who have severe staining on their teeth, for one reason or another.
Veneers
If you have severe staining, are not seeing lasting results with other whitening methods or want something a bit more permanent, you may want to discuss getting veneers with your dentist. Veneers are thin, porcelain caps that our place securely over your teeth to provide you with a straightener, wider, more beautiful smile. And since they tend to last for around 15 years, you will have those dazzling teeth for years to come.
If you’re looking for a trusted cosmetic dentist in the Spring Hill area, consider Dentistry by Design. We can talk to you about your concerns and offer helpful information regarding the different options available to address these. We can work closely with you to provide the cosmetic dentistry solutions that give you a reason to smile with confidence.
Call (931) 771-8500 or contact us online to schedule your consultation!