Teeth
Whitening
Types of Whitening
There are several types of teeth bleaching that you can try. Many people in Florence, AL start by using whitening toothpaste at home. This can help to brighten your teeth but is typically not enough to actually whiten them. We recommend toothpaste as part of an overall teeth whitening treatment but not by itself. After professional whitening, the toothpaste can help your teeth stay bright. Many people try over the counter solutions like whitening trays or strips. These treatments work but not as well as professional solutions. As with most things, what you buy in the store is simply not as strong as what you can get from a medical professional. Additionally, store bought whitening trays are designed to fit everyone’s teeth, not your teeth specifically. This means that they can become loose, and the solution can leak, leading to gum irritation.
We recommend that people in the Florence area schedule an appointment with Dr. Ian Fawcett, instead. Our professional tooth whitening solutions can transform the appearance of your teeth in a dynamic way. This is partially due to the strength of the solution that we use. Professional grade whitening gel can whiten teeth by eight shades or more versus around two shades with store bought solutions. If you are looking for immediate and dramatic results then in-office whitening is a far better option.
How It Works
When a whitening solution is applied to the teeth, the hydrogen peroxide inside of the solution penetrates through the enamel. It then starts the oxidation process where molecules are transformed to reflect less or no light. This makes them appear colorless, and teeth appear white. This process is typically extremely effective for eliminating stains and can be repeated frequently.
On occasion, the stains are too strong for a teeth bleaching procedure to work. When this happens, Dr. Ian Fawcett can provide an alternative treatment. For example, patients in Florence, AL can have dental veneers placed on the surface of teeth in order to cover dark stains. This is often preferable for patients that smoke since veneers are stain resistant and won’t yellow quickly like natural teeth. Still, it is wise to try a teeth whitening procedure first, before starting a cosmetic one.