About Teeth Whitening

TEETH WHITENING (BLEACHING)

Whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration. For example, yellowish hued teeth will probably bleach well, brownish-colored teeth may bleach less well, and grayish-hued teeth may not bleach well at all. If you have had bonding or tooth-colored fillings placed in your front teeth the whitener will not affect the color of these materials, and they will stand out in your newly whitened smile. MouthHealthy.org

If you are a candidate for whitening there are several ways to whiten your smile:

 At home bleaching

• Peroxide containing whiteners actually bleach the tooth enamel. They typically come in a gel and are placed in an appliance similar to a mouth guard. The appliance is fabricated in our office and only one appointment is usually required. Gel refills are available at our office. As with all bleaching techniques, there are potential side effects, such as increased sensitivity or gum irritation.

 Whitening toothpastes

• All toothpastes help remove surface stain through the action of mild abrasives. “Whitening” toothpastes in the ADA Seal of Acceptance program have special chemical or polishing agents that provide additional stain removal effectiveness. These products do not change the color of teeth because they can only remove stains on the surface.

For more information, please visit the A to Z page at MouthHealthy.org