Everybody wants to have nice, white teeth, but age and the foods we eat can cause our enamel to appear stained and yellow. There are many different treatments marketed that promise to whiten your teeth. How do you know what is the best teeth whitening treatment for you? Let's break down some of the options out there.
Types of Teeth Whitening
- Whitening toothpaste - Whitening toothpaste is relatively inexpensive and makes the claim to whiten your teeth within weeks. Unfortunately, many times there is little to no improvement. It is more effective to be mindful of brushing your teeth immediately after consuming beverages and food that may cause stains, such as tea, coffee, red wine, berries, etc.
- Whitening strips - Whitening strips can be easily bought just about anywhere. They are fast, convenient and suited for someone who is looking to whiten their teeth without spending too much money. However, since the strips are "one size fits all" they are not customized to fit directly over your teeth and can be more difficult to use than other options. The whitening product may not cover your teeth properly causing uneven white spots and may also get on your gums which should be avoided.
- Customized whitening trays - Customized trays offers long-term and accurate whitening. Your cosmetic dentist in Webster Groves, MO takes an impression of your teeth to make a mold to create your tray. Once the tray is ready (usually in a couple weeks), you will receive the whitening product that you put inside the tray. Depending on the whitening product, you may wear the tray anywhere from a few minutes to overnight. Whitening trays are more expensive than strips and toothpaste, but the trays can last for many years to come. The whitening product can be purchased separately and is very effective at whitening your teeth and having lasting results.
- Laser whitening treatments - Laser treatments are the most expensive option and are done in a dental office. They offer immediate results, though it may take multiple sessions to get the results you desire. Also, it is important to note that most offices that provide laser whitening also give you trays so you can bleach at home. One appointment whitening typically wears off much faster than other types of whitening. A good guide to remember is: the quicker something whitens, the quicker it goes away. People who are the most satisfied with laser whitening are people who do not have the time to whiten some other way because of an upcoming event, such as a wedding.
Schedule Teeth Whitening in Webster Groves MO!
Unfortunately, there is no "permanent" whitening treatment. All results will fade over time; however, avoiding stain-causing foods and beverages and regularly brushing your teeth will help any treatment last longer. If you are interested in learning about a whitening treatment that would work best for you, call us today at (314) 918-9666 to schedule your appointment.
Webster Groves Dental is located at 8045 Big Bend Blvd, Suite 203 in Webster Groves, MO. To get to our dentist office from the Chesterfield area, take I-64 E to Big Bend Blvd in Richmond Heights. Take exit 33A for Big Bend Blvd and keep right. Follow Big Bend Blvd towards Shrewsbury, then take a right after the Commerce Bank.