A cosmetic dentist focuses on the look of your smile, offering treatments that improve color, shape, and alignment. While general dentists mainly handle cleanings and fillings, some also offer cosmetic services like teeth whitening. In-office and take-home whitening options are available in many dental practices for various needs. Here’s information on at-home professional teeth whitening kits and what to know about them:
At-home Professional Teeth Whitening
Tooth staining happens for many reasons. Drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine can leave marks on the surface of your teeth. Other common causes of tooth staining include:
- Some Medicines
- Aging
- Tobacco Use
Smoking adds a yellow or brown color over time, staining teeth. As you get older, the outer layer of your teeth wears down, and the darker layer underneath shows through more easily.
Professional-strength, at-home teeth whitening is a treatment that a cosmetic dentist provides for you to use at home. The dentist supplies a whitening gel that is stronger than what you can find on store shelves, along with instructions on how to apply it safely. You follow a set schedule, often over a few days or weeks. One popular professional option is a custom tray whitening system. With this method, your cosmetic dentist makes custom trays shaped to fit your teeth. These trays look like clear mouthguards, and they hold the whitening gel close against your teeth.
Getting Lighter Shades in Days
To make an impression, the dentist scans or makes molds of your teeth so the trays match your exact bite. This careful fit matters because trays that do not seal well can let gel touch your gums, potentially causing irritation. At-home professional kits often result in a whiter smile of 4 to 8 shades. Some people see a small shift, while others see a larger one. These whitening systems use higher concentrations of carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide in their bleaching solution than in-store options, which is why they are more effective.
The exact change depends on your teeth’s starting color and how closely you follow the dentist’s directions. For effective results, follow your dentist’s instructions. They can explain how to fill your trays with a small amount of gel and how long to wear them. Because the trays fit so closely to your teeth, the gel stays where it should, and you will see color changes within a few days.
Maintaining Results
Surface stains from food and drink usually respond well to professional teeth whitening, but deeper, built-in color may change more slowly. This is why results also depend on the type of staining you have. Your cosmetic dentist can review your teeth and give you a realistic idea of what to expect before you start a treatment. To keep your new shade results longer, try to reduce the amount of staining drinks you consume and brush your teeth regularly. Touch-up treatments with your trays may help maintain the color over time. Your dentist can tell you how often touch-ups make sense for your situation.
Visit a Cosmetic Dentist Near You
A whiter smile starts with a visit to a trained professional. A cosmetic dentist can examine your teeth, talk about your goals, and explain which whitening option is appropriate for you. They will also check your overall dental health first, since whitening works best on clean, healthy teeth. To determine your whitening options, contact a cosmetic dentist to schedule a consultation.
