Properly aligned teeth not only give you a beautiful smile, but they can significantly improve your overall dental health.
(416) 481-7887In-office treatment can brighten your teeth by six to ten shades. Using a special, light-activated whitening gel, this procedure is a quick and convenient way to achieve the smile you've always wanted.
Tooth whitening is a procedure that can lighten the shade of your teeth and remove stain or discoloration caused by ageing, certain medications, tobacco, coffee, and tea. Tooth whitening will not last forever, so the procedure will have to be repeated on a regular basis.
Tooth whitening can be done at home or in the dental office. Dr. Robin Kutner and Dr. Laurel Linetsky-Fleisher will often take a photo of your existing tooth colour to monitor your progress and compare the new lighter shade of your teeth throughout treatment.
For in-home whitening, the Dr. Robin Kutner and Dr. Laurel Linetsky-Fleisher will take an impression of your teeth and then make custom mouthpieces (trays) to fit your teeth. The dentist will give you a supply of bleaching gel (usually containing hydrogen peroxide) that is applied to the tray and then you will be instructed to wear the tray for a certain amount of time. Care should be taken to use only the prescribed amount of whitening gel as excess material can contact your gums and cause irritation.
In-office whitening often takes between 30 to 90 minutes to complete and usually requires a few visits to the dentist's office to achieve the amount of whitening required. The whitening agent (again, a gel containing hydrogen peroxide) is applied to your teeth. Some of the in-office whitening agents require special lights or heat for activation.
Both in-home and in-office bleaching can cause increased tooth sensitivity in some people. this is a normal side effect and usually subsides a few days after the whitening treatments have been completed. Whitening procedures should be avoided if you are pregnant.
After having your teeth whitened by a dental professional, it is important to continue good oral hygiene practices. This will ensure your teeth stay whiter and prevent darkening. In order to prevent staining from reoccurring, it is important to continue to brush, floss and use mouthwash regularly. Flossing your teeth at least once daily can also help prevent plaque from building up.
If you consume foods with a lot of acid, you will need to wait a minimum of half an hour before brushing your teeth. The high acidity can weaken the tooth’s enamel. Your teeth are most vulnerable to damage when it is in this weakened state. By waiting at least 30 minutes after eating acidic foods you will provide better protection for your teeth.
Some foods can help you keep your teeth cleaner. Crunchy foods like celery, carrots, apples, pears, cucumbers and cauliflower can actually help the teeth stay cleaner. Eating more of these foods can help your teeth stay whiter. By using a straw when you drink beverages you can also help keep some stains away from the teeth, especially when consuming beverages like wine, coffee or tea.