Here at Stonegate Dental, we are committed to helping each and every one of our clients feel confident and proud of their smile. One common source of insecurity when it comes to the appearance of our teeth is staining, darkening and discolouration. Unfortunately, teeth naturally darken over time, and while brushing, flossing and regular dental visits can go a long way toward maintaining a bright smile, they are often not enough to whiten and eliminate staining. The good news is, we have some effective and affordable options for teeth whitening at our Guelph Dentist office to help you achieve your whitest and brightest smile!
How do teeth become discoloured?
There are many reasons a tooth may crack, including:
Teeth can become discoloured for several reasons, and can be categorized as either extrinsic or intrinsic discolouration.
Extrinsic discolouration is when your teeth become stained from eating certain foods, beverages, or smoking habits. Coffee, tea, red wine, foods with dyes, and smoking tobacco are often the main contributors to this type of staining.
Intrinsic discolouration is discolouration that comes from within the tooth. This type of discolouration can be caused by the use of certain medications, childhood illness, infection, tooth trauma or aging.
Both types of discolouration are best treated by your dentist to ensure safety and to optimize results.
Professional Custom Whitening vs Drugstore
There are many reasons to choose professional whitening over drugstore products. While the drugstore options may seem more affordable, whitening solutions from the dentist are quite inexpensive to purchase. A custom tray is made of your teeth, and that tray can be used at home with the recommended whitening product, so no further dental visits are required. If you plan to whiten your teeth regularly, custom trays are actually less expensive over time and produce much less waste.
Also, the trays that come with whitening kits from the drugstore are designed to fit anyone’s teeth. So while they are flexible, they are also likely to rub and irritate the gums, as well as expose your delicate gum tissue to the whitening solution itself. Irritation and contact with whitening products increases your risk of developing gum disease such as gingivitis or periodontitis.
Finally, the whitening solution available from your dentist for use with custom fit trays is stronger and more effective than any product available over the counter at a drugstore. Custom fit trays prevent contact with gum tissue which allows for the use of a stronger product. This means that
the teeth are whitened with fewer applications. Tray whitening is also more effective because it treats more of your teeth than strip whiteners which only whiten the front teeth.
Is teeth whitening bad for your teeth?
Custom tray whitening systems from Stonegate Dental are safe and will not damage enamel as long as they are used as instructed.
Possible side effects of teeth whitening can include:
● Increased tooth sensitivity – your teeth may become more sensitive following teeth whitening, particularly after your first or second application. This type of sensitivity is usually mild and temporary, and will decrease over time. If you experience significant sensitivity, your dentist may recommend treatment with products that contain potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride gel.
● Irritated gums – while it is unlikely when using a custom tray, you may experience gingival irritation. This is when your gums become irritated. This can happen when your gums come into contact with the whitening product. With custom tray whitening this is typically prevented, as the custom fit of the tray prevents the whitening solution from coming into contact with your gums. If you do experience gum irritation, it will go away shortly after your treatment.
How can I best maintain my results?
Your habits when it comes to eating, drinking, and oral hygiene can affect how long your teeth whitening results last. After you’ve completed any whitening treatment, your teeth are still susceptible to staining from beverages such as tea and coffee as well as certain foods. Rinsing your mouth or brushing your teeth immediately after eating or drinking can help prevent those types of discolouring agents from settling into the surface of your teeth. This will also decrease the chance for plaque to build up! It is important to remember that you cannot whiten teeth on a permanent basis. You’ll likely need to whiten your teeth every 4-6 months or so. This is why the custom tray at home teeth whitening system from our Guelph Dentist office is so convenient and effective!
At Stonegate Dental we offer a custom fit tray that is expertly crafted by your dentist. This type of treatment is the optimal approach to beautifying stained or discoloured teeth. You will be shocked by how quickly the colour of your teeth changes after just one use of the custom fit tray! Call our Guelph Dentist office today to discuss our at-home whitening process and get your custom trays for a dazzling new smile!
