In-Office or at-Home Teeth Whitening

by Deepak Kumar Thakur Digital Marketer

In-office teeth whitening is not the only option. You can also opt for at-home teeth whitening kits. The best way to whiten your teeth is to make sure you follow proper oral hygiene and schedule regular dental checkups. Additionally, you must avoid eating and drinking any foods that stain your teeth and avoid smoking. To keep your smile bright and white for years, you can have minor touch-ups done every couple of months.

In-office teeth whitening

If you are interested in a brighter smile but aren't sure how to go about it, an in-office teeth whitening benton appointment is the best option. Teeth whitening in the office can be extremely effective and provide immediate results. Typically, the results last six months to two years, depending on the amount of staining and your personal habits. In addition to visiting your dentist regularly, you should avoid drinking coffee, red wine, and smoking. Even if your smile is still bright, minor touch-ups will keep your teeth looking whiter for years to come.

Zoom is a whitening process that uses a 25 percent hydrogen peroxide bleach to lighten the discoloration of the enamel and dentin of the teeth. While drinking coffee and smoking can stain teeth, the aging process also tends to discolor them. To get whiter teeth, dentists perform Zoom in-office whitening. Zoom uses a chairside lamp to activate the 25 percent hydrogen peroxide whitening gel. This whitening gel bleaches the stained substances, while leaving the structure of the tooth unaltered.

Side effects of teeth whitening

Aside from the obvious aesthetic effects of whitening, there are also a number of side effects that may be related to the procedure. If you're considering teeth whitening in Benton, your dentist will first evaluate whether you're a good candidate. Your annual dental checkup may provide sufficient evidence to recommend teeth whitening. In addition, he or she may conduct a quick consultation before the whitening procedure. During this time, he or she will look at your gums, recent x-rays, and discuss any dental conditions that you may have.

Among the most common side effects are sensitivity to sweets, air, and cold. The whitening agent reaches the underlying layers of teeth and may irritate soft tissues. This can cause pain and irritation and may last longer than normal. This is not a cause for concern, however, as the side effects will quickly subside. Patients experiencing severe sensitivity should visit their dentist right away. But if these side effects continue for more than 48 hours, it's important to get immediate medical attention.

At-home teeth whitening options

While a dentist can offer a variety of teeth whitening procedures, at-home whitening kits do the same job. The difference between these kits and in-office whitening is the amount of time involved. In an office, whitening can take only a few hours and yield results up to eight shades whiter. Home bleaching kits, however, require a few hours a day and may take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to see full results.

Over-the-counter trays can cause some sensitivity. Since they're one-size-fits-all, they can also leak more gel than desired. In the ideal world, you would have custom-fitted trays that fit your teeth perfectly. Drugstores also sell trays that are called "boil-and-bite" trays. Follow the directions carefully and let the tray cool before putting it in your mouth.