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Teeth whitening treatments are one of the most commonly performed cosmetic dental procedures. It is a safe and easy way to improve the look of your smile. If you wish to learn more about professional teeth whitening treatments, read on.

Professional teeth whitening

Professional whitening is a process that whitens teeth by bleaching them. A whitening gel is used to strengthen the enamel and bleach the teeth to remove the stains, ultimately making them whiter. 

Professional strength hydrogen peroxide is used to whiten the teeth in the dentist's office because the concentration is higher than what you can purchase at the store. This higher concentration of peroxide breaks down the compounds that cause staining on the teeth. This is why it can typically take multiple treatments with at-home kits to see results. However, some whitening systems offer prescription-strength gel that speeds up the process even more.

• How does professional teeth whitening work?

Professional teeth whitening uses stronger whitening agents than those found in over-the-counter products, and your dentist will supervise your treatment to ensure that it's safe for your teeth. They'll start with an examination of your mouth to look for signs of tooth decay or gum disease before recommending teeth whitening treatments. Your dentist will then clean your teeth before applying the whitening gel to your teeth. During in-office whitening, a special light is used to activate the gel, causing it to penetrate deeply into your teeth and break up stains on a deeper level than at-home whitening methods can. Once the treatment is done, your dentist may require you to schedule a follow-up appointment to assess the results. If your teeth aren't as white as you'd like them to be, they can perform another treatment session.

• Are professional teeth whitening safe?

Yes! Professional whitening treatments use prescription-strength whitening agents that are safe for your smile. In fact, only your dentist can provide special application techniques that ensure you don't experience sensitivity or gum irritation as a result of your treatment. Additionally, custom-fitted whitening trays ensure that the solution is applied to your teeth evenly and that it won't slip off your gums. If you are worried about side effects from professional whitening, talk to your dentist for more information about how to avoid these issues.

• Is whitening toothpaste effective?

Whitening toothpaste is effective for removing surface stains from teeth. However, it does not contain bleaching agents and will not brighten your smile if it is more discolored than a white smile. The only way to brighten a smile is with a professional whitening treatment from a cosmetic or restorative dentist. These treatments contain hydrogen peroxide gel that deeply penetrates the teeth and breaks apart the stain molecules. Your cosmetic dentist will be able to assess your smile and let you know which type of whitening is right for you.

Professional teeth whitening lasts much longer than over-the-counter whitening solutions but costs slightly more as well. However, it is significantly safer for your teeth since the solution won't touch your gums. Over-the-counter whitening products can cause irritation to the soft tissue in the mouth.

For best results, you should brush your teeth with whitening toothpaste twice a day and floss at least once each day. You should also avoid eating sweets and drinking colorful beverages like soda, which can stain your teeth quickly if you consume them frequently.

While whitening toothpaste can be effective at removing some surface stains from your smile, it will not whiten your teeth if they are yellowed or brown due to past trauma to the tooth or other factors. Only your dentist can prescribe stronger whitening solutions that can give you the beautiful, sparkling smile you've always wanted.

• Does whitening gel really work?

Yes! Professional teeth whiteners use peroxide to break down stains and discoloration on the enamel of your teeth, revealing a whiter smile. When used as instructed, professional-strength whiteners provide the best results.

However, there are some limitations to using whitening gels. They aren't effective against certain types of staining or discoloration, like intrinsic tooth stains caused by tetracycline use or the ingestion of too much fluoride as a child. Teeth whitening gel also doesn't have much effect on the color of crowns, porcelain veneers, or other cosmetic dental work. Full coverage crowns and veneers can't be lightened with over-the-counter whitening products, either.

Get in touch with Willow Glen Dental Care at 1600 Willow St, Suite 203, San Jose, CA 95125, or call (408) 978-0911 to learn more about dental services.