Michael Nugent, D.D.S
Professional Teeth Whitening Services in Pasadena
There are many over the counter products that claim to dramatically whiten your teeth. However, to get professionally whitened teeth you need to see a dentist. Come talk to Pasadena Dentist Michael Nugent. He will show you how easy professional teeth whitening can be.
Professional Tray Bleaching
For professional results patients need to visit Dr. Nugent. He will take detailed impressions of your mouth. From these impressions teeth bleaching trays will be made. Dr. Nugent will instruct you on the proper use of your new bleaching trays. At home bleaching is the most cost effective treatment to whitening your teeth.
Although teeth are porous, they are harder than bone. Teeth get stained over time. Any substance that stains a white t-shirt also stains teeth. The interior of the tooth has the stain. The professional whitening trays cover your teeth perfectly. Simple: Fill the bleaching tray with a modest amount of whitening gel. The tooth becomes whiter and brighter as a result of the gel’s oxidation and breakdown of hydroxyradicals. The at-home teeth whitening trays typically require 20 minutes every day for 10 to 14 days to achieve the whitest possible teeth. During the first 10 to 14 days, the discoloration that has accumulated over the teeth’s lifetime is being combated. The patient simply stops bleaching once the desired level of whiteness is reached. The teeth will keep getting darker over time. Once or twice a year, most patients “touch up” their teeth whitening. This touch-up takes just one or two days.
Teeth Whitening Strips
Over the counter teeth whitening strips do work. However, they are not as effective as take home whitening trays. Thus, the patient has to buy the teeth whitening strips multiple times. The strips are merely rectangles that are awkward to place on the teeth. The whitening gel does not work as well as the professional teeth bleaching gel. Therefore, the patient has to wear the teeth whitening strips more often and for longer amounts of time.
Whitening Toothpaste and Mouthwash
The majority of stain on teeth is internal. Only teeth bleaching gel can get the stain out from inside the teeth. Over the counter teeth whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes only work on stain that is on the outside of the teeth. These products use mild abrasives to scrape off stain on the outside of the tooth. Whitening toothpaste and mouthwash ONLY affect the surface stain and only mildly whiten your teeth.
Laser Whitening, In Office Whitening, Zoom Whitening
There are various ways to whiten teeth in a dental office, including Zoom Whitening, in Office Whitening, and Laser Whitening. The dentist uses a light or laser to administer teeth bleaching gel directly to the teeth during this procedure, which typically lasts an hour. This solution is quick and efficient. However, it causes extreme sensitivity and pain in the teeth for several days. Compared to the professional take-home teeth bleaching gel, the teeth bleaching gel has a significantly higher concentration. Numerous studies have shown that using a laser or light has little effect on how effective teeth whitening is. It serves more as a marketing ploy. The patient’s whiteness is not at its best one hour after treatment. In order to get the best whiteness, the patient must still have take-home bleaching trays manufactured.
Does Bleaching Damage the Teeth?
No. When carbamide peroxide, the active whitening agent, contacts water, hydrogen peroxide is released which whitens the teeth. Bleaching does not soften, de-mineralize or weaken the teeth.
Most Regular Causes of Discoloration
Now that you know how tooth discolouration occurs, this list of typical causes will make sense. Additionally, it will guide your decision-making regarding how to lower your risk of yellowing.
1. Food and beverages – It goes without saying that what we put in our mouths influences how our teeth look. You should think about the pH of your diet in addition to avoiding things that are dark in color. You can maintain the thickness of your enamel and keep your teeth looking whiter by avoiding acidic foods and beverages.
2. cigarettes – External stains on the teeth are caused by the dark particles in all forms of cigarettes. Smoking specifically causes the interior of the mouth to become dry. The tobacco’s potential to stain is worsened by this dryness since it makes adhering to the enamel simpler. (Consider how a dry mouth’s stickiness could draw stains to the teeth.)
3. Age – Although we cannot stop aging, we can endeavor to protect our outer enamel in an effort to counteract the natural yellowing of the tooth. You may fortify your enamel by avoiding acidic foods, managing any acid reflux symptoms, and routinely utilizing fluoride-containing oral care products.
4. Trauma – when not all trauma is preventable, some can be lessened by wearing an athletic mouth guard when taking part in any contact sports. Mouth guards absorb force to lessen its impact and ease the shock of dental injuries.
5. Drugs – Drugs have the potential to change the color of developing teeth. This means that certain medications, like Tetracycline and other antibiotics that have been demonstrated to impact tooth growth, shouldn’t be taken by pregnant women or young children. Intrinsic staining is caused by the dark pigments integrated throughout the tooth’s growth. The antibiotic Chlorhexidine, which is found in several prescription mouthwashes, can also cause visible stains on teeth.
In short, Dr. Nugent recommends take home bleaching trays. They are extremely cost effective and easy to use. Laser whitening works but is very expensive, painful and patients must still use at home bleaching trays to achieve optimal teeth whiteness.
Get the best dental care for you and your family. Come see why Dr. Nugent has become Pasadena and the surrounding areas go to dentist for cosmetic dental procedures.