If your teeth are stained or discolored, you may have wondered what you can do to whiten them. The most common ways to whiten teeth are by using over the counter whitening products or having a professional Teeth Whitening in Norwood done at your dentist’s office. What are the pros and cons of store-bought whitening products and professional whitening services?
Whitening toothpastes, gels, and strips
Many toothpastes claim to whiten teeth, but most of them do not contain any substances that actually whiten teeth. They remove recent surface stains, but are unable to penetrate long-standing stains. Whitening strips are adhesive bands that are placed onto the teeth in the front of the mouth. The strips contain small amounts of bleaching agents like peroxide. Whitening gels are placed into dental molds and worn in the mouth for 10 to 20 minutes. Gels also contains natural whitening substances or bleaching agents, but in a slightly higher concentration than those found in strips. These products are relatively inexpensive and are more effective for people who have minor discoloration or to help maintain the results of professional whitening. Those with more pronounced yellowing may not see a big difference in color after using these types of products.
Professional Teeth Whitening in Norwood
People with yellowed teeth may benefit from whitening procedures offered in Cosmetic Dentistry. During a whitening procedure, the gums are coated in a protective gel so they are not damaged by the bleaching agent, which is a highly concentrated peroxide blend. The bleaching agent is applied to the teeth and allowed to set for 15 to 30 minutes. It is often used in combination with intense light, which enhances the effects of the whitening agent. Results are usually noticeable right away, but develop more over the course of several days. Some people may need to come back for another whitening session if their stains are particularly bad. The results of professional Teeth Whitening in Norwood are typically better and last longer than if over the counter products were used. However, teeth whitening procedures can be costly, averaging $600 per session.
Any type of whitening agent can cause tooth sensitivity, or exacerbate an existing sensitivity. Some people may not be able to get professional whitening because of extreme sensitivities, so it is important to talk to your dentist about this before you consider any type of whitening product. Click here
