How many times have you looked into the mirror wishing that your smile glowed as brightly as your favorite movie star’s? Well, thanks to modern dental advancements, having beautifully white teeth is no longer exclusive to Hollywood A-listers.
Here at our local dental clinic, we offer professional teeth whitening in Downtown Vancouver. For more information about this process, get in touch with us today!
How Do Our Teeth Become Discolored?
Teeth whitening is classified as a means of cosmetic dentistry because the primary purpose of this process is to improve the aesthetic appearance of your smile. More specifically, to hide discoloration that stains the enamel and the dentin located on the surface of your teeth. We can acquire stains due to several different factors including the following:
• Aging
• Genetics
• Smoking
• Taking certain medications
• Consuming food and drink like strawberries, soy sauce, coffee, tea, and red wine
• An oral infection
With all that said, it’s important to keep in mind that our teeth are not naturally pearly white. Instead, they can range anywhere from a greyish yellow to a dull white.
Professional Teeth Whitening at SmileStone Dental
Sometimes referred to as in-office whitening, professional teeth whitening, involves bleaching your smile. Prior to receiving this treatment, however, it’s a wise idea to book a consultation with a dentist near you first. They’ll be able to identify whether you’re a suitable candidate for this process or if another avenue would be more appropriate. They’ll also explain each stage of treatment, so you know what to expect.
With that said, when you decide to have your teeth whitened, you’ll only need to attend a single appointment. It’ll take between thirty minutes to an hour to complete but once it’s done, you’ll be able to show off a dazzling new smile that you can feel proud of.
First, your dentist in Downtown Vancouver will evaluate your mouth and possibly take a series of x-rays to better understand the current state of your oral health. Next, they’ll thoroughly clean your teeth, making sure that no plaque and tartar remain. The bleaching agent will be applied to your teeth. Hydrogen peroxide or hydrogen carbamide are the two most frequently used substances. The bleach will sit on your teeth for a certain period before being wiped off and reapplied. This process is continued until the shade of white that you desire is officially achieved.
Take-Home Kits For Teeth Whitening
Even though professional teeth whitening is typically recommended to patients because of its effectiveness and because of its long-lasting results, sometimes, that’s not always a feasible option. But if you’re still interested in enhancing your smile, many dental clinics also offer take-home whitening kits.
Whitening trays and a predetermined amount of bleach are included in the kit – this is so that you don’t apply too much of the whitening agent to your teeth, since this may harm your enamel. Your teeth will appear brighter using this method too, but the effects are not as immediate or as long-lasting.
If you’re interested in learning more about this, reach out to your dentist in Downtown Vancouver. They’ll happily address any questions and concerns you might have.
Keeping Your Smile White
Once again, professional teeth whitening is not a permanent process. On average, the effects of this process last for a few months. Brushing and flossing after each meal, avoiding (or at least consuming less) coffee and beer, and tobacco will also help preserve the look of your smile. Water is especially great as well, as it keeps your teeth clean and helps get rid of food debris and bacteria.
If you’re interested in receiving professional teeth whitening near you, here at Smile Stone Dental, we’ve got you covered! You deserve to feel confident about your smile, and our staff is here to assist you however we can. Call, come in, or visit our website to get started! We look forward to speaking with you very soon!