Teeth Whitening: All There is to Know

When it comes to our appearance, it is no doubt that we want to look our best. With looking our best, comes feeling our best. Your smile is no exception and part of ensuring our smile looks its best, is considering the brightness of it. Teeth whitening is an extremely popular cosmetic dental procedure that provides you with a brighter and more attractive looking smile. While there are many options and products out there for teeth whitening that promise you whiter teeth, conducting this process in the safest way possible is very important to prevent any damage to your enamel or other dental concerns and complications.

Stained and Discoloured Teeth

First, let’s discuss why staining and discolouration occur. For some individuals, the shade of their teeth is naturally less white, but for others, their teeth become stained over time due to everyday habits or lifestyle factors. Coffee, tea, or red wine are all considered culprits behind duller teeth. Not only does smoking pose severe negative effects on your dental health and overall health, but it also affects the colour of your teeth.

What are the Risks of Using Whitening Toothpastes?

Whitening toothpastes are popular and are designed to whiten your teeth. These products are designed to whiten your teeth at home at a low cost. With that said, whitening toothpastes can cause damage to both your teeth and gums over time. Abrasive whitening toothpastes can provide you with whitening results in the beginning because they do remove tooth stains, but they wear away your tooth enamel, which won’t regenerate. Although your teeth may seem whiter at first, your enamel is polished away overtime which can result in the opposite effect—yellowed teeth. This occurs because of your dentin—the supportive tissue beneath your enamel—which eventually will peak through. Not only does this mean you won’t achieve your desired results, but you can also end up with permanent damage to your tooth enamel.

What Are Some Safe Whitening Options?

Thankfully, safely whitening your teeth is most definitely achievable with the help of your dentist in Winnipeg. You may choose between an in-office whitening option or a dentist-supervised option you can perform at-home. The following are the most effective and safest methods to whiten your teeth:

In-Office Whitening

As the name suggests, you will need to visit your dental office for teeth whitening in Winnipeg performed by a dental professional. To provide in-office teeth whitening, peroxide-based bleaching agents are used which contain anywhere from 15% to 43% peroxide. The bleaching agents break stains into smaller pieces, which makes the colour of your teeth less concentrated, resulting in a brighter smile.

At-Home Teeth Whitening

If you prefer to whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home, a dentist near you can provide you with a simple and affordable at-home solution. At-home teeth whitening systems or products provided by a professional are not the same as over-the-counter bleaching products and it’s important to note this. Typically, at-home teeth whitening requires the application of products approximately one hour a day per week for faster and more noticeable results.

Speak with Your Dentist

Looking for teeth whitening near you? Dentist-supervised whitening methods can provide you with dramatic results, however, it’s important that you discuss with your dentist regarding your dental situation and circumstances to better understand what to expect. Certain treatments may be more effective for certain types of staining. Your dentist will recommend a solution that will work best depending on the type of staining and your situation. Schedule a consultation with your dentist for teeth whitening in Winnipeg if you are interested in achieving a whiter smile and a brighter you!