Many of our patients want a bright white smile and teeth whitening has become one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments. We offer safe and effective professional whitening at Dentistry on the Pines for our Vaughan patients to get a brighter, more confident smile. We’ll explain what teeth whitening is and how it can help you.
Over time our teeth get stained or discoloured for many reasons. Food and drink are a big part of it. Dark sodas, coffee, tea and red wine can slowly stain the enamel on your teeth. Using tobacco, whether smoking or chewing, causes stains that are hard to get rid of. As we age our teeth naturally get darker because the enamel gets thinner and shows more of the yellowish dentin layer underneath. Some medications and dental diseases can also cause tooth discolouration. Cosmetic Dentistry enhances the appearance of the smile through treatments that improve tooth shape, color, and alignment. It helps individuals achieve a brighter, more confident look.
Professional teeth whitening removes these stains by using bleaching agents that get into the enamel of the teeth and break down the molecules that are discoloured. Most whitening treatments use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as the active ingredient. These chemicals release oxygen molecules that react with the discoloured parts of your teeth and make them look lighter. The concentration of the whitening ingredient and the method of application determines how fast and how much your teeth will whiten. At our office we offer two ways to whiten teeth. After-office whitening gives you big, fast results after just one visit. We protect your gums and sensitive tissues during this procedure and then apply a professional strength whitening gel to your teeth. The process takes about an hour and many patients see their teeth a few shades lighter after just one visit. If you have an event coming up or just want to get your whitening done fast with the help of a professional, this is a good option.
We offer personalized take-home whitening kits for those who want to whiten at home or take their time with it. These kits come with trays that are custom made to fit your teeth, which keeps the whitening gel on your teeth and reduces sensitivity to your gums. Depending on how white you want your teeth to be, you’ll wear the trays for a certain amount of time each day, usually one to two weeks. You can whiten on your own schedule with this method.
We check your teeth and gums very carefully before we start any whitening treatment. This step is crucial since whitening works best on healthy and natural teeth. We’ll take care of these problems first if you have cavities, gum disease or exposed tooth roots. Whitening these areas could make things worse or hurt. We’ll also discuss what you want and what results are realistically possible based on how bad and what kind of tooth discolouration you have. Dental Fillings are used to restore teeth affected by decay, returning strength and function while preventing further damage. Modern materials allow Dental Fillings to blend naturally with surrounding tooth structure.
You should know that teeth whitening doesn’t work on dental work that has been done. Whitening procedures won’t change the colour of crowns, veneers, fillings or bonding materials. If you can see restorations in your smile we’ll discuss how whitening can make the colours not match and whether you would need to repair those restorations after whitening to keep your smile the same.
Some people feel sensitive teeth for a short time during or after whitening treatments. This is a common reaction to the whitening chemicals and usually goes away in a few days. We can recommend desensitizing toothpaste or change the treatment plan at Dentistry on the Pines to make it less painful while still getting great results. To keep your newly whitened smile you need to pay attention to how you live. Limiting your intake of foods and drinks that stain can help maintain your results. If you do drink coffee or red wine wash your mouth with water afterward can reduce staining. Brush and floss your teeth regularly to keep your smile shining for longer.
Results of whitening last for different amounts of time for different people, usually from a few months to a few years. Your results will last longer or shorter depending on what you eat, how well you take care of your teeth and if you smoke. Many people in Vaughan choose to get touch up treatments every now and then to keep their ideal shade.
We recommend you book an appointment with us if you’re thinking of whitening your teeth. We’ll take a look at your teeth, discuss your whitening goals and suggest the best way to get there. We can help you get a whiter smile safely and successfully. A whiter smile can make you look better and feel more confident.