Choosing Between At-Home and Professional Teeth Whitening

With time plaque, tartar, and stains can accumulate on your enamel, causing discoloration. When your teeth are stained or discolored, you might experience low self-confidence and esteem. Sometimes, you might miss out on job opportunities in sales, film, and modeling.

Although our teeth are overall white, they might get stained or discolored due to several reasons. Some of the reasons for tooth discoloration and staining are preventable, while others are out of our control, such as dental injuries and diseases.

To reverse the effects of teeth staining and discoloration, you can consider teeth whitening. Teeth whitening treatments have evolved. Therefore, you can choose from a wide range of teeth whitening treatment options.

Causes of Teeth Staining and Discoloration

You might notice a change in the color of your teeth. Some of the reasons for the color change include:

Poor Oral Hygiene

When you eat, the food particles stick on your enamel and might turn to plaque if you don’t practice good oral hygiene. Over time, the food particles accumulate on the enamels, forming a yellow layer.

Tobacco Use

Tobacco contains tar and nicotine that can cause teeth discoloration. With extensive tobacco use, you might notice yellowing on your enamels.

Food and Drinks

Some colored foods and drinks such as coffee, grape juice, blueberries, and red wine are staining agents. Therefore, if you use such foods and drinks daily, you might be at risk of teeth staining.

Trauma

A dental injury is one of the causes of tooth discoloration. Over time, your tooth might heal or die. Also, when the inner layer of the enamel is exposed, you might notice yellowing.

Age

With time, the enamel might erode, exposing the dentin. The dentin is yellow in color. Therefore, you might notice yellowing on your teeth as you grow old.

Medications

Some medications such as antihistamines and blood pressure drugs might affect your tooth color. Apart from medications, medical procedures such as chemotherapy and neck radiation can cause teeth discoloration.

Teeth Whitening Treatments

Depending on your teeth’s condition and aesthetic goals, you can choose between at-home and in-office treatments.

At-Home Treatments

When you mild stains and discoloration on your teeth, you can consider at-home treatments. However, you should consult your dentist first before choosing the home treatment. Some of the home-based teeth whitening options include:

• Whitening gels and trays
• Teeth whitening strips
• Whitening toothpaste

You can buy some of the above treatments in the drugstore near you or get them from your dentist. Your dentist might recommend using the treatment options daily.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

In-office or professional teeth whitening entails the use of peroxide bleaches to brighten the shades of your teeth.

When you seek Teeth Whitening in Fort Valley, your dentist might recommend bleaching or zoom teeth whitening. Bleaching involves applying peroxide bleach on the teeth and leave it for up to 45 minutes to remove superficial stains.

On the other hand, zoom whitening utilizes peroxide bleaches and a laser to remove deep stains. During a zoom teeth whitening, your dentist will apply and peroxide bleach on your teeth and pass a laser over. The laser helps the bleaching agent penetrate the enamels, eliminating deep stains.

Differences Between At-Home and Professional Teeth Whitening

There are several differences between at-home and professional teeth whitening. However, the main course of action depends on your teeth’ condition and aesthetic goals. Here are the differences between the teeth whitening options:

Time

With professional dental treatments, you can get the desired results in less than 45 minutes. Unlike professional dental treatments, you will have to use home-based whitening techniques for months before achieving your aesthetic goals.

Longevity

Professional teeth whitening treatments can penetrate the enamel easily. Therefore, the in-office treatments remove deep stains and their effects can last longer than home teeth whitening options.

Takeaway

When you seek teeth whitening treatments near you, the dentist will examine your teeth. Your dentist will then listen to your aesthetic concerns before recommending a suitable treatment plan for you. Therefore, it is advisable to consult your dentist even if you are getting home-based treatments.

If you are looking for a dentist in Fort Valley for consultation and professional treatments, you can consider visiting us at Whitaker Family Dentistry. Our dentist will listen to your concerns and develop a suitable treatment plan for you.