A few years ago, I realized that I was thinking about dental care all wrong. Instead of listening carefully to my dentist and making the necessary changes, I assumed that he was ultimately responsible for making sure that my teeth stayed healthy. Unfortunately, I developed a few serious cavities because I failed to properly brush and floss my teeth, and I knew that it was my fault. I decided to start taking notes at my dental checkups and carefully abiding by the dentist's orders. The difference was almost miraculous. This blog is all about working with your dentist to improve your result.
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Working With My Dentist
Teeth Whitening Options
Siiri Puro
Cosmetic dentistry is incredibly common, and teeth whitening is a popular choice. However, there are many ways to get a whiter smile. If you would like to know more about cosmetic options for a better smile, keep reading.
In-Office Whitening
In-office tooth whitening is the most effective and fastest way to whiten your teeth. The dentist uses strong bleaching solutions and techniques to protect your gums. Some use UV lights to accelerate the process. In some cases, patients may only need one visit, and they usually see immediate results. This makes it perfect if you need a fast way to improve your smile before a big date or event.
You can find many "dental spas" that focus on tooth whitening, making it easy to fit into your schedule. The only downside to in-office whitening is the cost. It is much more expensive than any at-home option. Some people may have mild sensitivity after treatments.
At-Home Whitening
At-home whitening consists of many options, but one of the best options is a take-home whitening kit from your dentist. These kits have customized trays and strong solutions. Depending on the desired color, you may need to wear the trays a few times. These kits are the most effective at-home option, but they are less expensive than in-office whitening.
There are other at-home whitening options that you can buy over the counter. These include:
- Toothpastes
- Whitening gels
- Whitening strips
- Whitening trays
Whitening toothpastes are usually the least effective and costly. Gels, strips, and trays can vary drastically in quality and effectiveness, depending on the brand. Overall, expect slow mild results.
Coverup Options
Tooth whitening is great at getting rid of extrinsic stains. These are stains caused by external forces like food, tobacco, and dark beverages. However, it isn't great at getting rid of intrinsic stains, which result from within the tooth, such as fluorosis and certain depression medications.
You can still cover up these troublesome teeth with dental bonding, veneers, and dental crowns. Dental bonding is the least invasive and expensive, but veneers and crowns look better because the porcelain looks like tooth tissue. Dental crowns are best if your tooth is also weak since they strengthen weak teeth. For both veneers and dental crowns, you'll need some enamel removed.
A white bright smile can give you a lot of confidence. Tooth whitening is a great way to get the smile you want, but there are many cosmetic options that can correct other issues. If you would like to know more, contact a cosmetic dentist in your area today.
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