What are my options for teeth whitening?


There are a few different ways you can achieve a brighter smile—but what is the best teeth whitening option for you? Our Kamloops dentists explain teeth whitening options and the effects they can have.

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure designed to lighten the colour of your teeth using peroxide-based bleaching agents. As the active ingredient breaks down, oxygen acts on the tooth enamel, creating the whitening effect.

What are my options for teeth whitening?

Today, you have a number of options for whitening your teeth. Each one comes with its own advantages and disadvantages and may offer varying levels of results. 

In-Office Teeth Whitening

The most effective teeth whitening procedures are performed by your dentist in a dental office. This is because the whitening agents in your dentist’s gel are much stronger and produce much more effective results than over-the-counter products.

The procedure usually takes about 60 - 90 minutes. Your dentist will use a concentrated whitening solution to remove surface stains from your teeth and lighten their natural colour. This yields somewhat more efficient results than at-home whitening solutions, which take days or weeks to work.

At-Home Professional Teeth Whitening Trays

Many dental offices provide patients with custom at-home whitening trays so that they can whiten their teeth from the comfort of their own home. During an initial visit to your dentist, a dental impression will be created to make your whitening trays.

You’ll take the whitening trays home and manage the teeth whitening application yourself. You’ll wear the whitening gel for between 30 minutes to a few hours a day, for 1 to 3 weeks depending on what your dentist prescribes.

The whitening solution will gradually remove surface stains from your teeth and lighten their natural colour.

Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste works to remove surface stains and can slightly lighten your teeth. However, the toothpaste is unable to lighten stains that have penetrated below the tooth's surface.

This option may be good for patients whose teeth are only slightly discoloured who do not want to commit to a professional-grade whitening solution.

You can also get enamel strengthening toothpaste that can help to defend your teeth from cavities and protect your enamel from further damage—preventing stains from developing in the first place.

Whitening Strips

These small plastic strips are coated with peroxide-based gel. When you apply the strip to your teeth, the peroxide coating removes surface stains, lightening the colour of your teeth.

You would typically apply whitening strips daily for a 2- to 3-week period, and keep them on for no more than 30 minutes at a time. Because these products contain only a small amount of peroxide, you will usually see only subtle results.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are razor-thin strips of porcelain that are affixed to the fronts of your teeth to improve their colour, shape, and symmetry.

If only one or a few of your teeth are discoloured, porcelain veneers may be a practical solution to even out the colour of your teeth.

How do I know which are the best teeth whitening products?

The best teeth whitening products for you will depend on a number of factors including personal preference, your schedule, and your budget. Talk to your dentist about what the best option is for your situation. 

At Grasslands Dental Care we offer professional in-office whitening. Contact us today to book a consultation! 

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