Teeth Whitening
Whitening
The natural colour of teeth range of light grey shade to yellow shades.
Causes for teeth to darken
- Naturally with age
- Smoking
- Consumption of certain foods or drinks. (Coffee, tea, red wine)
- Certain medications
A few tips to know before whitening
- Crowns, bridge, veneers and composite fillings do not lighten. In fact they do not change colour. If you whiten and have one of these they may need to be changed.
- Whitening your teeth when you have periodontal disease, exposed roots, cavities, gum recession, or other untreated issues can cause further pain and problems that’s why is it important to have healthy teeth and gums before considering any whitening treatments.
- Whitening products come in all different forms it’s good to research prior to find out what one is best suited for you here are some examples:
- Gels
- Rinses
- Varnishes
- Stripes
- Toothpastes
Many dental offices offer 2 different types. Custom fit take home whitening trays and in-office whitening. They can range anywhere from $200-$500. And can achieve up to 2-8 shades lighter. Take home whitening is usually a treatment 15 mins daily over the course of 2 weeks. With the in-office whitening the desired shade is typically achieved that same day with an hour to two hour session and is supervised by a dental professional.
It is important to remember that you should always ask your dental practice for advice on the right products for you when trying to get a brighter whiter smile.
