Tooth Whitening
Now that you have your braces removed and may be asking yourself “should I whiten
my teeth?’. Your smile looks fantastic, but would your teeth look better if they
were one or two shades lighter? Dr. Miner would be happy to discuss the options for whitening
or “bleaching” your teeth once your braces come off. We recommend using your
retainer to lighten you teeth.
What is Whitening?
Technically, whitening refers to restoring your natural tooth color while bleaching
means taking your teeth to a lighter level, according to the FDA. However, most people
use the terms whitening and bleaching interchangeably. Bleaching your teeth involves
using a bleaching agent such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Whitening, on
the other hand, refers to removal of debris and staining, usually by cleaning with abrasive
toothpastes. Some staining can be intrinsic and does not respond to either bleaching
or whitening.
How do you whiten or bleach your teeth?
Whitening toothpastes: Any staining or discoloration which can be removed by the whitening toothpastes helps restore your natural tooth color
Over-the-Counter Teeth Bleaching: These products are usually bleaching gel with a concentration lower than that of the professionally dispensed take-home whiteners. They use either generic trays, whitening strips or paint-on applicators to apply the bleaching material.
Professionally Take-Home Bleaching: Take-home bleaching uses a medium level concentration of peroxide gel. This gel can remain on the teeth for many hours (even over night), but it must be usually applied with a custom tray. In our office, we use your custom vacuum-formed retainer to bleach your teeth. We find this method works well and is the most efficient.
