The Best Process for Whitening Your Discolored, Yellowing Teeth

BANISHING DISCOLORATION FOR GLEAMING TEETH
Sipping on sodas and certain other stain-producing beverages during the day may put a pep in your step, but it definitely isn't brightening your teeth. Years of stains from foods and drinks can lead to yellowed or brown teeth. Even regularly brushing and flossing after each meal still may not effectively create the bright smile you'd like. Here are a few tooth bleaching treatments at a range of prices, both professional-grade and store-bought products, to help you show off a brighter smile that can stop traffic in Dallas, TX.

THE BEST SMILE STARTS WITH EFFECTIVE BRUSHING
Regularly flossing, brushing, and using a dental rinse is a good place to start. Also, it's smart to bring a mini-sized oral hygiene kit in your bag or backpack to use at the office or school. When you stop to visit the bathroom or take a coffee break, give your teeth a quick once over. Beyond helping your general dental health, you'll also be helping maintain the appearance of your smile.

STORE-BOUGHT TEETH BLEACHING CHOICES
When you use an over-the-counter product to brighten your smile, you may see minor changes in color by just applying these products along with your daily brushing, flossing, and mouthwash regimen. At most retailers and pharmacies in Dallas, TX, you can buy a variety of kinds of tooth brightening products to try at home, like activated charcoal, whitening toothpaste, and whitening mouthwash. It is always important to thoroughly read the directions included in the box.

• MOUTH TRAYS WITH WHITENING GEL
  One-size-fits-most teeth whitening kits with mouth trays can be bought in a variety of stores, and some even have the same look as the professional tray systems utilized by your dentist. One of the primary differences between store-bought and professional teeth whitening kits is the individualized fit. The mouth trays in a store-bought whitening kit may feel uncomfortable or could give you splotchy results. Further, the hydrogen peroxide solutions in retail systems aren't formulated for your exact discoloration, so you could experience sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks or other issues.
• TEETH WHITENING STRIPS OR PENS
  Various retailers and pharmacies stock numerous different kinds of bleaching strips and pens. The bleaching strips can be easily applied to your teeth and can be pretty discreet. A whitening pen enables you to strategically apply a hydrogen peroxide solution to your teeth after they have been brushed and are dry. Once you have carefully applied the strip or solution to your teeth, you should leave them on for the duration directed on the package.
• BLEACHING SYSTEMS WITH LIGHTS
  To increase the results from some teeth bleaching solutions or strips, you can buy a special kind of light. LED mouthpieces need to be placed in the mouth after you have applied your bleaching solution or strips. LED devices have a specific wear time and should be used only as stated in the directions.

SINCE STORE-BOUGHT PRODUCTS WORK, WHY SHOULD I GET AN IN-OFFICE PROCEDURE?
It's important to be aware that over-the-counter teeth bleaching products won't give you the same quality of results compared to teeth whitening sessions performed by your dentist. Over-the-counter options are very low in strength, so depending on your degree of darkening and if you have any bridges or crowns, etc., your results will likely be uneven. Further, these products can result in inflamed gums and sensitive teeth. Talk to your dental professional about store-bought teeth whitening systems, how they stack up against treatments they have at their practice, and whether they would suggest any of them to reduce your specific discoloration.

IN-OFFICE TEETH WHITENING METHODS
Frequent oral exams and professional cleanings not only ensure that your whole mouth stays healthy, but they should also enhance the look of your smile. Scraping away the accumulated tartar and plaque from your teeth is an easy way to spruce up your smile. For more significant results, ask your dentist about the in-office teeth whitening systems they provide. They may offer custom whitening treatments, professional at-home systems, and dental veneers for a total smile makeover.

• DENTAL VENEERS
  For a total smile makeover to effectively make your teeth more brilliant and address other cosmetic concerns (like broken teeth, gaps, extreme staining, and short teeth), ceramic veneers can be a good option. Veneers are individually made to look natural and fit perfectly on top of the teeth. Your dental practitioner will need to carefully remove a minimal amount of your natural enamel in order to make room for the veneers. When they're fitted to the teeth, you'll have a brand-new smile.
• MEDICAL-GRADE DIY WHITENING PRODUCTS
  For patients who would rather whiten in the privacy of home, a lot of dentists provide professional home whitening systems. With personalized dental trays and a professional-strength whitening gel selected for your types of discoloration, a DIY whitening system from your dentist offers a much closer fit and uniform results. They are just a much better choice compared to store-bought products. After applying the whitening gel to the trays, you put them over your teeth for a specific amount of time, as instructed by your dental practitioner. Once the treatment is done, you can take the trays out, clean them, and put them away in a safe place. At your next visit, you can ask for more of your whitening gel. Do not combine store-bought whitening products with your custom kits, since they can degrade the trays. You can use a home whitening kit alone or to maintain your results from an in-office treatment.
• DENTIST-PERFORMED LASER TEETH WHITENING
  For a professional laser whitening session, your dentist will first brush a high-strength whitening solution onto your enamel and then go a step further with a laser light. The energy from the light enhances the whitening solution to create optimal outcomes. In-office laser whitening is ideal when you want results in a hurry before a big event or if you have crowns, bridges, inlays, etc. Some in-office teeth whitening treatments can also reduce internal discoloration, which retail options can't reach.

YOU DESERVE TO HAVE YOUR BRIGHTEST, SEXIEST SMILE
Getting limited results or heat and cold sensitivity from consumer whitening products is quite disappointing. At MINT dentistry in Uptown, we provide laser teeth whitening, home whitening kits, and porcelain veneers. All of these choices can be specially designed to fit your cosmetic goals, so you see great results without compromising your oral health. Call us to schedule a consultation at our office in Dallas, TX to ask about all of our professional and at-home whitening treatments so you can get a gleaming, attractive smile.