Brightening Your Smile

Brightening Your Smile

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Even with good dental habits like brushing and flossing, many patients still feel like their smile is dull and discolored. Staining can be caused by many factors including food, drink, tobacco, age, trauma, and medications.
This month we’re breaking down your whitening options so you can continue to shine bright!

 

How does whitening work?

Most whitening products contain either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The peroxide breaks down stains in your enamel to make your smile brighter. It’s important to note, whitening doesn’t correct all types of discoloration. Talk to your dentist before deciding which procedure is right for you.

 

What are my options?

From home to office, patients have a lot of options for whitening treatments.
  • Stain Removal Toothpaste removes stains using a combination of polishing agents and the mild abrasive motion of brushing. Unlike other methods, this product is only effective at removing surface stains. Keep in mind that highly abrasive toothpastes can be damaging to tooth enamel. Consult with your dentist to pick the right toothpaste for you.
  • Over-The-Counter Whitening Products typically come in one of two forms: toothpaste or strips. These products contain peroxide at much lower concentrations than you would find at the office. Results from these products can be effective but typically take prolonged use to see noticeable changes.
  • Professional At-Home Whitening gives patients the flexibility to whiten their teeth at home. Your dentist will provide you a custom tray and whitening gel, which you can wear up to a few hours per session. Results usually take a few days to a few weeks.
  • In-Office Whitening utilizes a high percentage of hydrogen peroxide. Protective gel and mouth retractors are used to protect your gums and lips from the concentrated solution. Treatment time usually takes around 90 minutes. Results can be noticed immediately.
  • Home Remedies such as charcoal toothpaste and lemon juice/baking soda as made popular by Youtube and social media bloggers are not recommended by the ADA. These methods may initially brighten by abrading away mild external staining but can actually cause severe irreversible damage to enamel with prolonged use.
At Elevate, we offer in-office whitening and take-home whitening options from Opalescence and GLO Science. GLO is the newest addition to our whitening services and we are so excited to be one of few GLO providers here in San Antonio. Using a combination of whitening gel and LED light technology, the GLO professional system is a quick, painless whitening option that our patients love. Check out GLO in action:

 

References: American Dental Association

 

Ready for a brighter smile? Book your appointment today!

 

 

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