How Teeth Whitening May Improve Your Smile

How Teeth Whitening May Improve Your Smile from Oak Tree Dental in McLean, VATeeth whitening treatments are an effective way to improve the color of your teeth significantly. These treatments consist of using chemicals with bleaching properties like hydrogen carbamide or hydrogen peroxide to remove stains from the inner and outer layers of teeth.

The types of stains teeth whitening treatments are effective on include the yellow stains teeth pick up due to aging, stains caused by foods and beverages, and stains caused by tobacco use. Teeth whitening treatments are not effective on some types of stains like those caused by tooth decay, fluorosis, and tetracycline antibiotics. These treatments will not whiten dental restorations like crowns or veneers.

There are countless teeth whitening products that can be purchased from grocery stores, drug stores, and online marketplaces, but none of these are as concentrated as the powerful bleaching agents used for professional whitening treatments performed by dentists. These products lead to drastically improved results, and the typical session improves the color of the patient’s teeth by up to eight shades. Dentists can also provide their patients with at-home whitening kits that are more concentrated than anything sold over the counter.

How teeth whitening treatments work

As was mentioned earlier, the bleaching agents in whitening products remove stains from the inner and outer layers of teeth. According to WebMD, the products used for in-office whitening treatments typically contain somewhere between 15 to 43% hydrogen carbamide or hydrogen peroxide, while the kits dentists provide for at-home whitening treatments contain up to 20%.

These bleaching agents react with stains in and on a person’s teeth, oxidizing them away. Generally speaking, the longer these whitening products are kept on a person’s teeth, the whiter their teeth will be. Also, the more concentrated a whitening product is, the shorter it should be left on teeth since the bleaching agents in them weaken enamel. Leaving teeth exposed to these bleaching agents for prolonged periods can lead to teeth being dehydrated and increased sensitivity.

A custom mouth tray is typically used to administer teeth whitening treatments. It prevents the bleaching products from getting into gum tissues and causing irritation. It also keeps the patient’s teeth evenly coated with the whitening product during their treatment. The mouth tray is made from an impression of the patient’s mouth in a dental lab. The process takes about two weeks.

During each treatment session, the patient sits in a treatment chair and they are asked to bite down on a mouth tray that has been filled with a whitening product. The patient keeps the tray in their mouth for 60 to 90 minutes to complete the session. Their teeth should be noticeably whiter at that point.

Some patients get their desired shade of white after a single treatment, while others might need follow-up sessions to get there. For most people, dentists recommend aiming for a few shades whiter than the white of their eyes for natural-looking, whiter teeth.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Teeth Whitening in McLean, VA

Whiter teeth lead to a better smile

Ready to get rid of stains and discoloration on your teeth? Call or visit our McLean clinic to learn more about how teeth whitening treatments can improve the color of your teeth.

Request an appointment or call Oak Tree Dental at 703-763-5239 for an appointment in our McLean office.

Recent Posts

Find A Dentist For Professional Teeth Whitening

Though it is possible to find teeth whitening products at major retailers and pharmacies, whitening will be more successful when done by a professional dentist. There are a number of things on the market, such as strips, trays, pens, and more, and though these are affordable at-home services, the results are drastically different from professional…

How Teeth Whitening Treatments Work

Teeth whitening treatments get you whiter teeth in as little as 60 minutes. These treatments are performed under the supervision of a dentist, and the American Academy for Cosmetic Dentistry states a treatment session can improve the color of a person’s teeth by up to eight shades.Over-the-counter teeth whitening alternatives typically provide a cheaper alternative,…

Are Teeth Whitening Treatments Effective On All Types Of Stains

Teeth whitening treatments can get you the pearly set of white teeth you have always wanted. It is an effective way to get rid of most types of stains and discoloration like those caused by the coloring agents in the things you eat and drink, habits like smoking, and the yellowing effect of aging on…

Recent Posts

Common Questions About Dental Implants

Common Questions About Dental Implants

Dental implants are a popular and effective treatment option for missing teeth. However, it can be overwhelming to learn about the details of the entire process. In addition, it is normal to have questions about the procedure. This article will review the most commonly asked questions and help you determine if this procedure may be…

Tooth Colored Fillings FAQs

Tooth Colored Fillings FAQs

Having tooth-colored fillings is always better than amalgam fillings. Switching to these natural-looking fillings will bring more health to your body. It will even do wonders for your self-image. If you want to know more about tooth-colored fillings, here are some FAQs and their answers.Silver or amalgam fillings are durable, but they contain mercury. This…