Over the years, our teeth develop stains and discolorations from a variety of different sources. While highly pigmented foods and beverages are the main culprits, age, medications, and oral hygiene habits can also affect the color of your teeth. To remove these stains and improve the color of your teeth, teeth whitening procedures are used. Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments because it is effective, non-invasive, and affordable. In as little as one appointment, teeth whitening removes years of stains and can render your teeth about 5-10 shades lighter. Teeth whitening can even make you look younger and more vibrant by brightening your smile.
Did you know…
Teeth whiteners are made of carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. When these compounds react with stained molecules, they dissolve stains to restore the natural color of your teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a candidate for teeth whitening?
Candidates for teeth whitening are individuals who want to improve the look of their smile without the hassle of invasive or expensive procedures. To safely complete teeth whitening procedures, however, candidates must be free from tooth decay and gum disease, or must agree to have these issues treated before having their teeth whitened. To find out if you are an ideal candidate for teeth whitening, schedule an appointment with Dr. Sanket Upadhyay at Birch Point Dental Clinic today.
What can I expect when having my teeth whitened at Birch Point Dental Clinic?
The first step to having your teeth whitened is to have them cleaned to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria. This allows a smooth and even surface for the application of the whitener. Once the whitener has been brushed on the surface of your teeth or placed in a whitening tray that fits over your teeth, it will be left in place for about 30-60 minutes. During this time, the whitener will be absorbed into the enamel and dentin layers of your teeth where it will dissolve stains. After the designated time frame, the whitener will then be rinsed from your teeth.
What can I expect after having my teeth whitened?
After having your teeth whitened, you may experience a brief period of tooth sensitivity. This can be managed by using sensitivity toothpaste and it will usually subside within a week. During the first 24 hours after having your teeth whitened, we also recommend that you temporarily avoid consuming highly pigmented foods and beverages. This is because the whitener will remain active for 24 hours after its application, therefore eliminating the possibility of new stains will allow it to continue to remove old stains.
How long can I expect my teeth to stay white?
Teeth whitening is not a permanent treatment, since your teeth will inevitably stain again over time. While the lifespan of your whitening results partially depends on your diet and oral health habits, the average lifespan of whitening results is about a year. However, people who regularly consume highly pigmented foods/beverages and/or do not practice regular oral hygiene may have results that only last about six months. On the other hand, people who don’t consume as many pigmented foods and/or are diligent about their oral hygiene can extend their results for up to three years. In order to maintain your results, Dr. Sanket Upadhyay may also recommend take-home whitening trays to use every now and then.
Call today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Sanket Upadhyay at Birch Point Dental Clinic. Located in the Bay & Algoma neighborhood, our location allows you to have your teeth looked at while also providing the opportunity to shop local and enjoy spaghetti take out at the famous Italian Cultural Centre across the street.
