Having white teeth can boost your confidence and help you feel better about your appearance. Still, many people know little about teeth-whitening applications and may be unsure of which whitening treatment to choose. Specific whitening applications may only be effective in certain cases.

Here is a bit of information about dental whitening products and when they should be used.

Whitening Kits from Local Stores

Many local stores offer teeth-whitening kits that can be purchased over-the-counter. The kits, which often contain the bleaching agent and an applicator, whiten the teeth progressively.

Several daily applications may be needed to achieve the optimal whiteness that can be produced by the product. Some whitening kits can whiten the teeth after a week of use. Other may require a month of applications.

The kits are usually most appropriate for people who suffer from moderate food or drink-based discolorations. As the teeth are exposed to the pigments within ingested substances, they absorb the colorants, and discoloration forms. 

Whitening at a Dentist's Office

Professional whitening that is performed by a dentist is completed in a dental office. The dentist coats the teeth with a whitening gel or solution. The bleaching agent in the product helps bleach away the colorants that may have accumulated in the pores of the tooth enamel.

To intensify the bleaching effects of the product, an ultraviolet light may be directed at the whitener on the teeth for a designated period. As a result, professional whitening applications produce noticeable results more quickly than other types of whitening applications.

In-office whitening is suitable for minor, moderate, and severe cases of food-based dental staining. Still, several whitening sessions may be needed to produce the highest levels of whitening.

In addition, professional dental bleaching may be more suitable than over-the-counter whitening products for people who suffer from dental sensitivity. Professional products are designed to produce optimal results without inflaming sensitive dental nerves. 

Veneers and Crowns

The teeth can also be whitened by an application of veneers or dental crowns. The discoloration of the teeth is concealed by the dental appliances. As a result, veneers and crowns are suitable for all types of discoloration, including permanent discoloration from dental trauma and congenital defects. In addition, they are effective for people with extreme cases of dental sensitivity.

Dental veneers are applied to the front surface of the teeth, while a dental crown fully encircles the entire natural crown of a tooth. The desired shade of whiteness can be selected for each appliance. 

For more information about teeth-whitening applications, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your local area or a company like Labowe Stuart DDS.

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