How Does Teeth Whitening Work? Everything You Need To Know

Thinking about getting your teeth whitened in Covington? At Cornerstone Dentistry, Dr. Keleigh Lascari is here to help. Read on, and learn more about the basics of teeth whitening at our office and how it works.

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Understanding Professional Take-Home Whitening Treatment

All teeth whitening products use “peroxides.” These peroxides, such as hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen peroxide, have the ability to “bleach” stains away from your teeth. When they contact stains, they break the chemical bond that attaches the stains to your enamel, removing them from your teeth and restoring the natural white color of your enamel. 

Professional take-home whitening uses custom-fitted dental trays as well as powerful peroxide whiteners. After your appointment at Cornerstone Dentistry, Dr. Lascari will create a set of trays that are customized to deliver even, gentle whitening to all of your teeth. 

Custom Trays Vs. Store-Bought Whitening Treatment

Wondering if you should choose professional take-home teeth whitening, or just pick up a store-bought whitening treatment from your local drugstore? Professional whitening has a number of benefits compared to store-bought treatments.

First, custom whitening trays from Cornerstone Dentistry help distribute the whitening products more evenly, providing better results compared to store-bought whitening treatments. 

In addition, your treatment will be customized to your level of staining and desired level of brightness, ensuring more predictable, consistent results

Professional take-home whitening is also faster and more effective than store-bought whitening treatments, which usually contain a lower level of peroxide whiteners. For all of these reasons and more, professional whitening is always better than over-the-counter whitening kits.

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What To Expect After You Get Your Teeth Whitened

During and after your take-home whitening treatment, it’s common for your teeth to feel a bit more tender and sensitive. This is normal, and it happens because the whitening treatment weakens your teeth slightly.

To keep your teeth strong, continue to brush regularly with fluoride toothpaste. This will help reduce sensitivity. You can also use a toothpaste-like Sensodyne to help with tooth sensitivity during your whitening treatment. 

After treatment, your newly whitened smile can last up to 3 years or longer. You can take a few steps to keep your smile bright like using whitening toothpaste, drinking beverages like coffee and tea through a straw, and continuing to see Dr. Lascari for regular six-month teeth cleanings and oral exams.

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Am I A Candidate For Teeth Whitening?

As long as your teeth are healthy and strong, you’re a good candidate for teeth whitening. However, if you have dental health problems like cavities, infected teeth, or gum disease, these must be treated before you can get cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening.

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Interested In Teeth Whitening? Contact Cornerstone Dentistry Today! 

At Cornerstone Dentistry, we’re here to help you get the dental care you need in Covington. So don’t wait. If you are interested in cosmetic dentistry, contact us online or give us a call at (985) 869-8020 to schedule a consultation at our office with Dr. Keleigh Lascari, and explore your options for cosmetic care.