Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI
Are you unhappy with the appearance of your smile? Maybe you have a big event upcoming and want to ensure your smile looks its best when the photos get taken. A whitening treatment is your solution. Just brightening your teeth by a few shades can dramatically change the appearance of your smile. However, all teeth whitening methods are not created equal. Today on the blog, Dr. Nancy Hartrick breaks down seven whitening treatments, in order of effectiveness from the least to the most.
Mouthwash
Mouthwash can be a valuable addition to your oral routine. We advise choosing a mouthwash that is alcohol free and clear, as colored mouthwash may dim the luster of your teeth. Certain mouthwashes promise whiter teeth but this is the least effective whitening method.
Pens and gels
What do all the store-bought whitening treatments have in common? They use peroxide to remove surface stains. Whitening pens and gels are among the least effective treatments you can choose because they do not make enough contact with your teeth to make a significant difference.
Toothpastes
These days, there are numerous toothpastes out there that, among other beneficial qualities, promise whiter teeth. Depending on the ingredients in the toothpaste you choose, it will be more effective at whitening your teeth. However, even a toothpaste with a powerful whitening agent is only going to be moderately effective.
Whitening strips
These strips represent the most effective store-bought method of whitening your teeth – with store-bought being the key clarifying factor, as we will explain in a bit. You wear the strips for 30 minutes at a time for however many days the instructions dictate; different whitening products have different durations of treatment. However, these strips are only big enough to reach your front six or eight teeth. They also are less effective than prescription-grade whitening treatments and, as a result, the results will not be long-lasting.
Take-home whitening treatment from your dentist
The teeth whitening treatments offered by your dentist represent the pinnacle of whitening effectiveness. This is because these procedures work with bleaching agents that are significantly more powerful than any store-bought alternative. You can come into our office for a whitening treatment or, for maximum convenience, bring one of our professional whitening treatments home and apply it yourself. This entails wearing a custom-made mouthguard that has had our bleaching gel applied. This gel is the same as the products we use in our in-office treatments but there is more room for error because you are using the treatment at home on your own.
In-office whitening procedures
This is the most effective method of whitening your teeth, because you are working with the most powerful bleaching agents possible and the procedure is administered by a trained cosmetic dentist. This lowers the risk of experiencing heightened sensitivity, which is possible with any whitening procedure but especially if you are making repeat applications as the luster fades from your teeth. Hartrick Dentistry offers two in-office whitening methods: Zoom!® and 20 Minute Sinsational Smile®.
Get whiter teeth in Royal Oak
Hartrick Dentistry can whiten your smile in an hour or less and the results are immediately apparent. To find out more about our teeth whitening procedures, schedule a consultation with Dr. Hartrick today at (248) 549-0950.