A vibrant smile shouldn’t be difficult or painful to achieve. If the stains and discolorations on your teeth affect the quality of your smile, it may be time to consider teeth whitening. Marvin Taylor DDS offers a wide range of teeth whitening options that can whiten your teeth up to several shades lighter.
Types of stains that teeth whitening can eliminate
Teeth whitening consists of several processes focusing on whitening and brightening your smile. There are numerous teeth whitening products, which makes it crucial to scrutinize every product before using it. Specialists recommend whitening your teeth by a specialist to prevent severe side effects and achieve optimal results. At Dr. Taylor’s Family Dental Center, the team examines your teeth to determine the type of stain you have before recommending the most effective product.
There are two broad categories of stains, intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic stains are embedded inside your tooth enamel and may be present even before your teeth erupt. They are often due to high fluoride exposure, antibiotic use, and genetics. On the other hand, extrinsic stains occur due to smoking, artificial food colorings, and beverages such as coffee.
Available teeth whitening options
Teeth whitening techniques range from teeth whitening toothpaste to professional teeth whitening by a certified dentist. Some methods only focus on extrinsic stains, while others address extrinsic and intrinsic stains. During your appointment, your dentist may discuss your dental goals before recommending the most effective treatment.
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Epic teeth whitening
Epic refers to a laser teeth whitening technique that can brighten your teeth up to 6-8 shades lighter. This solution is unique in that it only involves applying a whitening gel to your teeth for approximately 20 minutes at a time, making them a favorable option for individuals with sensitive teeth.
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ZOOM teeth whitening
ZOOM teeth whitening is a highly effective teeth whitening solution that whitens your teeth up to 8 shades brighter. It uses accelerated light therapy and hydrogen peroxide to eliminate deep stains from your teeth. This option is perfect for people looking to whiten their teeth in the shortest time possible.
What to expect during in-office teeth whitening
In-office teeth whitening involves using a higher concentration of bleaching agents to achieve desired results quickly. It may, however, require several treatment sessions to achieve optimal results. During your appointment, your dentist meticulously cleans your teeth before rinsing them with a powerful hydrogen peroxide solution for about 30 minutes. Your provider may also include laser therapy to enhance the results.
Teeth whitening side effects you should be aware of
Many people usually complain about temporary tooth sensitivity immediately after teeth whitening. The hydrogen peroxide in the bleaching product also causes gum and mouth irritation. During in-office teeth whitening, your dentist protects your gum tissue to prevent such side effects. Teeth whitening with home kits can also result in shooting pain when taking cold or hot drinks, but it usually resolves after a few days.
To explore the dramatic effects of teeth whitening, call Dr. Taylor’s Family Dental Center or click on the online booking tool to create an appointment.