Maybe you know the misfortune of having a yellowed smile, and maybe you don’t – either way, you’re curious about how tooth whitening works! Those of us who have struggled with tooth stains know how hard it can be to go through life feeling self-conscious about our smiles. If you are interested in Kruckman Family Dentistry cosmetic dentistry services, then it’s time to call us and schedule your appointment today. Read on to learn more about what happens when we whiten your teeth.
What are Tooth Stains?
Tooth whitening won’t help your cavities, but it will increase the brightness and shade of your teeth! Your teeth are made up of an inner dentin layer and an outer enamel layer that protects your teeth from being damaged by what you eat. When you put anything in your mouth from drinks, to food, to cigarettes, another layer slowly forms on top of your enamel. This creates what is knows as a “pellicle film” over the enamel layer. In order to prevent tooth stains, limit your intake of coffee, wine, and other dark liquids! However, no one can prevent tooth stains altogether. This is a natural part of aging, which is why we are happy to provide a whitening service that can help eliminate these stains.
How Does the Dentist Whiten my Teeth?
By using cosmetic dentistry procedures, we at Kruckman Family Dentistry can whiten your teeth! We used a controlled and carefully measured amount of carbamide – otherwise known as hydrogen peroxide – to lighten the stains on your teeth. Before the whitening treatment, your dentist will clean your teeth, fill any cavities, and ensure that your gums are healthy and ready to go.
What About Over-the-Counter Whitening?
These methods work as well since they also use carbamide to polish your teeth. However, many of these products can increase tooth and gum sensitivity, and the results take longer to see. In the end, it’s up to you to choose which method works best for your lifestyle. If you do choose to whiten at home, we recommend that you get your teeth cleaned professionally first. Be careful, as it can be easy to miss spots as well when doing these treatments at home! Also, if you notice a dramatic increase in tooth sensitivity or gum sensitivity, it might be time to select a milder whitening agent and limiting your treatments to every other day instead of doing them daily.
Is Whitening my Teeth Safe?
Yes, whitening your teeth is safe! Small concentrations of carbamide have not been shown to leave any damage on the enamel of teeth that have been whitened. Higher concentrations can weaken enamel, however, usually, these formulas contain fluoride to negate any bad effects on the enamel. Anyone who chooses higher concentrations of whitening products can sometimes even get a fluoride prescription from their dentist to keep their teeth strong and protected. If you find yourself feeling teeth sensitivity or pain in your gums after whitening treatments, then it’s a good idea to start using these products less frequently.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about our teeth whitening procedures or would like to learn more about how we can improve your smile through our other cosmetic dentistry services, then contact us today! We at Kruckman Family Dentistry want to be sure that our patients are informed about their procedures and feel comfortable when they come in to see us. Waconia residents, as well as residents of Victoria, St. Bonifacius, Mayer, and other surrounding areas are more than welcome to schedule an appointment with us! We look forward to seeing you. We can’t wait to give you a brighter, more confident smile.