More and more dental patients in Toronto are seeking out teeth whitening solutions, whether that is directly through their dentist with in-office treatment or an over-the-counter product to be applied at home.
To help you better understand the process and benefits of each option, in addition to determining if you are an ideal candidate for a whitening treatment, our team at Liberty Square Dental Group has provided all the information that will simplify your decision.
Who Needs Teeth Whitening Treatments?
Teeth whitening is recommended for patients who possess healthy, unrestored teeth and gums, particularly if they notice yellow tones to their teeth. This is the ideal scenario for utilizing a whitening treatment because it can offset discoloration resulting from plaque, tartar, or other oral health issues.
Aging (tooth enamel can diminish over time, which allows tooth discoloration and other oral health concerns to occur), smoking (produces a greater risk of developing oral health worries, such as plaque build-up and bacteria on your teeth), and dietary decisions (too much coffee, tea, or wine can stain your teeth) are three of the primary factors that impact the color of your teeth.
What is the Difference Between In-Office Whitening Treatment and a Home Remedy?
Peroxide Content
Each tooth-whitening solution utilizes peroxide-based bleaching agents, though it is important to know that at-home systems contain anywhere from 3 percent to 20 percent peroxide, while the in-office system contains 15 percent to 43 percent. Also, in-office bleaching is applied directly to the teeth, often used in combination with heat, a laser, or special light. As a result, in-office bleaching is the quicker resolution, as results are often achieved in one 30 to 60-minute treatment.
Mouthpiece Trays
At our dental clinic in Scarborough and Toronto, our dental team will take an impression of your teeth and customize a mouthpiece tray that will precisely fit your teeth. Such customization creates maximum contact between the whitening gel, which is first applied to the mouthpiece tray, and your teeth. Custom-made trays also serve to minimize the gel’s level of contact with your gum tissue. Although over-the-counter whitening products contain a mouthpiece tray, the fit will not be exact because it is available in only one size.
Extra Protective Measures
Another benefit of the in-office treatment is that our dental team will first apply a gel to the gum tissue or implement a rubber shield that slides over the teeth, protecting your gums and oral cavities from the potential effects of bleaching. You can’t find this additional protection from over-the-counter bleaching systems.
Dentist Supervision
Dr. Sharon Anbar can perform an oral examination and review your medical history before any treatment is applied. Then, it can be confirmed whether bleaching is a useful treatment for you based on the extent of your stains, the number of restorations you have undergone, and the location of these restorations.
Afterward, our Scarborough and Toronto dentists can match the type of stain with the most suitable treatment, if it is deemed appropriate.
Throughout the process, our dentists are there to answer any questions about the directions, ensure that the customized tray is a proper fit, examine your gums to determine if there are signs of irritation, and oversee the process in general. When you use over-the-counter bleaching products, you do not receive such assurances.
What to Expect During a Whitening Treatment in the Toronto Area
Consultation
As mentioned, you will first schedule a consultation with one of our dentists, during which he or she will examine your oral health and consider your medical history. Dr. Sharon Anbar will search for cavities and verify the health of your gums, treating any possible issues before you proceed with the whitening.
Cleaning
A professional cleaning will be the next step, with our dentists further preparing your teeth for the whitening treatment, regardless of if you ultimately elect to whiten them in the office or at home.
Whitening treatment
Our dentists will then conclude if custom-fitted trays are necessary or not. You can expect the treatment to require some time and patience, based on your current smile and the end goal result. Heat, light, or a combination of the two could be relied on to accelerate and intensify the whitening process. For the most effective results, with teeth generally becoming three to eight shades brighter, several 30 to 60-minute visits to the dental office are needed.
After-Care Tips for Professional Teeth Whitening
Watch Out for Sensitivity
A common side-effect seen in tooth whitening is a temporary increase in sensitivity, most often experienced during the early stages of the bleaching treatment. When sensitivity is experienced, you can reduce or eliminate it by doing the following:
- wearing the tray for a shorter period
- completely stopping the whitening for a few days to give your teeth time to adapt to the process
- talking to our dentists or a pharmacist about a high-fluoride product that can help re-mineralize your teeth (you can apply the fluoride product directly to the tray and wear it for a few minutes before and after the whitening agent is used)
- or brushing with a toothpaste intended for sensitive teeth
Touch-up Treatments
You can consider a touch-up treatment every 6 months or after a year or two. Smoking or drinking an abundance of stain-creating beverages will inevitably create the need for more frequent touch-ups.
Watch your Diet
You must limit foods and drinks that stain, which can be almost anything that contains acid or tannins. Sports drinks, white and red wine, carbonated beverages, dark tea and coffee, berries, and sauces (curry, tomato, soy) are some of the products that you should not over-consume.
Implement Good Oral Hygiene Habits
Be sure to brush or rinse immediately after stain-causing foods or beverages have been consumed, brush your teeth twice per day, floss daily to remove plaque, rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash to kill bacteria that can create plaque, use whitening toothpaste once or twice per week to eliminate surface stains, and use regular toothpaste on the remaining days.
Avoid Tobacco Products
These products (cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco) are more than capable of yellowing your teeth rapidly.
Routine Cleanings with a Dentist
Professional dental cleaning from your dental hygienist will remove plaque, which can attract stains from the foods and beverages that you consume. A dental hygienist works to maintain the appearance and comfort of your teeth.
Book Your Next Dental Appointment
Contact Liberty Square Dental Group to learn more about our Toronto dental office or Scarborough dental clinic. We look forward to seeing you soon!