Understanding the Types of Teeth Whitening: Know Your Options

Having a set of shiny, pearly whites can increase your chances of snagging your dream job, getting that raise you’ve been hoping for, or winning a second date.

There are many options, so how do you know which types of teeth whitening are the best fit for you?

If you want to look like a model for toothbrush advertisements, you should know what choices you have and how they work to whiten your teeth.

Keep reading to meet your teeth whitener match.

1. Teeth Whitening Facts

How does teeth whitening work? You may be surprised by the simplicity of teeth whitener ingredients.

The majority of teeth whitener processes include either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide.

When you use these chemical agents on your teeth, they work through layers and layers of discoloration caused by drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes, aging, and general wear-and-tear.

The higher the concentration of the peroxide, the more layers of yellow it can whiten on your teeth.

Though it sounds scary, the amount of peroxide in teeth whiteners hasn’t been reported to cause any damage, it just returns your teeth to their natural color.

2. Will Teeth Whitening Work For You?

Everyone wants whiter teeth, but some people may not get the results they were looking for.

If you have veneers, caps, crowns, or fillings, using teeth whiteners may not be the best option for you, as the peroxide doesn’t work well with those materials.

If you have more brown or grey discoloration rather than yellow, you may not get the whiter results you desired.

Lastly, talk to your dentist if you have sensitive teeth, as some processes may heighten that sensitivity.

3. Types of Teeth Whitening

There are two main ways to make your teeth shine like white porcelain; at-home teeth whitening kits or teeth whiteners used by dentists.

Though whitening your teeth at home sounds super convenient, a trip to the dentist to get whiter teeth can ensure you’re getting the maximum amount of peroxide in the safest way possible.

Ivy Rose Family Dentistry provides both options to fit your needs and lifestyle.

For those who don’t have the schedule for a visit to the dentist (or maybe get a little squeamish in the dentist’s chair), the two at-home kit options are a perfect way to get whiter teeth without leaving the house.

If you have enough time to pop in for a visit, you have two effective options for whiter teeth: a gel-based process that uses impressions, and a gel-based process that uses an LED mouthpiece.

Both options take less than an hour and can leave your teeth looking up to ten shades whiter.

Take the First Step

Now that you’ve had all your options set out in front of you, it’s time to dive in.

Give us a call if you have any more questions about what types of teeth whitening would work best for you.

If you’ve already got the perfect method in mind, schedule an appointment and get the white teeth you’ve been dreaming of!