If you smile doesn’t shine as brightly as you would like, teeth whitening can transform your appearance. Several options exist for people who want to enhance their smiles with teeth whitening. Drugstore kits, at-home whitening, and in-office whitening are all ways to give your pearly whites a pick-me up.

Whitening Toothpastes

When you use toothpaste, it contains mild abrasives that remove surfaces stains. Some whitening toothpastes also include carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide that will lighten the enamel a shade or two. Unfortunately, whitening toothpastes don’t produce lasting results.

Over-the-Counter Kits

Various companies make whitening strips and other products that claim to whiten your teeth. Though these kits may remove some discolorations, a higher level of a bleaching agent is needed to generate long-term changes. Additionally, drugstore whitening kits can weaken tooth enamel or damage gum tissue if not used properly. It’s advisable to go with dentist-recommended options.

At-Home Whitening

Some people desire professional results but on their own schedules. Custom take-home trays allow you to whiten teeth when it works for you. Your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and send the models to a dental lab that will produce the trays you will wear. Apply the whitening gel and keep the trays in as directed. You may notice a difference in your smile right away, but the final results usually appear in two to three weeks.

In-Office Whitening

The quickest way to lighten stains is with in-office whitening. In one appointment, your dentist can brighten your smile up to 10 shades. You can come in at lunch time and leave with a dazzling new appearance. For in-office whitening, your lips and gums are protected, a bleaching agent is applied to the teeth, and a special ultraviolet light is used to activate the whitening gel.

If you need a dentist in Etobicoke, contact us today