Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Whitening (bleaching) teeth has become a relatively standard procedure for our country. It’s not just for the rich and famous anymore. Most people do feel more confident when they have a clean, bright smile to flash around. So, how does it work? Professional whitening systems use carbamide peroxide gels. These gels open the pores of the teeth and lighten any external staining, as well as the intrinsic staining (internal). The pores of the teeth then close completely in approximately one to two days. The entire process takes just a matter of minutes and then you’re off to show the world your beautiful new smile.
Sounds great, right? Well, there are a lot of opinions floating around about whether or not teeth whitening is safe or effective, so let’s unravel a few of the top concerns and let you decide if teeth whitening is something you should consider having done.
Concern #1: Whitening will ruin my dental work.
Teeth whitening will have no effect on the color of your permanent crowns (caps), bridges, veneers or restorations. If there is any stain on those fixtures, it will definitely remove the
discoloration, but it cannot change the color of the original porcelain or resin material.
Concern #2: It will harm my teeth.
Many people fear that the enamel will be eaten away by the ‘bleach”. Your enamel is one of the hardest surfaces in your body, and the safety of the whitening systems will not interfere with its strength.
Concern#3: All teeth bleaching methods are the same.
This is a highly misunderstood myth. All whitening is not the same. Any over-the-counter toothpaste, whitening strips, or gel typically has a far less percentage of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide (which is the bleaching agent) than professional tooth whitening gels. Professional whitening usually has between 30-44 percent carbamide peroxide. The peroxide creates a porous surface and allows the agent to penetrate into the teeth. This infiltration allows for the intrinsic stains to be lightened. No over the counter toothpaste or gel can get your teeth as white as professional methods.
Concern #4: It’s permanent.
Your teeth will be several shades whiter, and it will typically last from several months to two years depending on your diet and how well you care for your teeth. The whitening is never
permanent.
Concern #5: The Laser is Dangerous.
It’s not a laser, it’s an LED light, and its FDA approved for lightening the teeth. The LED light coincides with the gel, which makes your outcome brighter, whiter and longer lasting than with over the counter methods.
Concern #6: You can never drink wine or coffee, or eat blueberries again.
You will need to wait 24-48 hours before eating or drinking anything that can stain your teeth, but you certainly are able to eat and drink normally after that timeframe. It is important to keep your teeth clean. There are professional touch-up kits available so that you can stay on top of how white you prefer to keep your teeth.
Concern #7: It will look like a fake smile.
You will not look like your teeth are glowing neon white, nor will they look like Chiclets.
The bleaching system will make your teeth up to 10 shades lighter, depending on the amount of stain that you have in the first place; but you can rest assured that the final outcome will be a natural white tooth color and not a fake look at all.
Whitening your teeth is really great way to improve your overall appearance, as having white teeth can even make crooked teeth more attractive looking. We all can’t expect to have a perfect celebrity smile just from whitening, but it sure does a lot for lifting your spirits and allowing the people in your life to see you smile more confidently, which always positively affects everyone involved. When your teeth are whiter, they appear to be healthier, and any shadowing from an overlap or tilt is far less visible.
To find out if teeth whitening is right for you, please call 941-447-7152, or stop by, for a free, no obligation consultation. We will explain to you how simple, safe and effective our teeth whitening procedure can be.
Premier Smiles
Professional Teeth Whitening
941-447-7152
Flamingo Island Market
11902 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Beach, FL
Unit Blue 48 or Blue 130
