Are your teeth slightly yellow or brown? Tooth discoloration is extremely common amongst people, and luckily, is easily treated.
When people start to notice their teeth looking slightly discolored, they usually go to the grocery store and buy a toothpaste that says it will whiten their teeth. While this is not false advertisement on behalf of the toothpaste company, it is a bit misleading if you are looking for noticeable results. A whitening toothpaste will contain abrasives that can remove stains from the surface of your teeth, and possibly a substance that will polish your teeth and remove additional stains. However, these toothpastes lack an important substance: a bleaching product (e.g. Hydrogen Peroxide). Due to a lack of bleaching product, whitening toothpastes can only lighten your teeth by one shade.
While there is certainly nothing wrong with using a toothpaste that will whiten your teeth, your dentist may have a better system to give you better results. Dr. Sachs, in Rockford, IL, offers a teeth whitening system with customized trays that you wear overnight, or twice per day for 30 minutes at a time. How long you are required to wear these trays is dependent on how discolored your teeth are and the results you are looking to achieve.
What is the difference between a product from your dentist and a toothpaste?
The biggest difference between the products is that a product from your dentist will contain a bleaching substance and a toothpaste will not. This bleaching substance is a big deal, as it will remove more stains than just surface stains. A toothpaste will usually be able to lighten your teeth by one shade, whereas a product from your dentist can whiten your teeth by three to eight shades.
PLEASE NOTE: If you experience sensitivity while using a tooth whitening product, that is normal. Your sensitivity should subside after your treatment is complete, or if you stop using the product.
Before you choose what type of whitening product or system you are going to use, you should consult your dentist. If your teeth are stained for certain reasons, like trauma or medications, they will not respond to any whitening product. However, if you still desire whiter teeth, porcelain veneers, crowns, and bonding are available for you!
Do You Want Whiter Teeth?
If you are in the Rockford, IL area and are looking for a good teeth whitening product, contact Dr. Sachs today to schedule an appointment!