The food you eat, beverages you drink, and choices you make may diminish your bright smile. Dull, yellowish teeth can make you look older and feel self-conscious about your appearance. Safe and effective, teeth whitening can lift discolorations and renew your smile’s radiance.

Television and print ads for home whitening kits promise stunning results, but it may be hard to tell if these products work. Most dentist offer some form of teeth whitening, such as in-office or take-home whitening. Understanding the options will allow you to make an informed decision about updating your smile.

Over-the-counter whitening
Drug stores and supermarkets stock rows of whitening products on their shelves. These rinses, strips, and toothpastes often use peroxide to remove surface stains. While you may see some change, these products don’t usually generate the lasting impact of the professional whitening products offered by your dentist.

In-office whitening
If you decide on in-office whitening, your dentist will utilize professional-grade whitening gel, with or without an activating light. In-office whitening produces immediate results, lightening teeth up to 10 shades.

At-home professional whitening
Some people would like to brighten their teeth on their own schedules, so dentist-supplied whitening kits work well for these cases. Before whitening begins, the dental team will fit you for custom bleaching trays. Your dentist will then provide the bleaching agent. Apply the gel to the trays and wear them as directed. In just two to three weeks, you should notice a dramatic difference in your pearly whites.

We create beautiful, healthy smiles at Dr. Yolanda Cruz dentistry