Teeth Whitening
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
If you’re considering teeth whitening in St. Louis, it’s a good idea to understand a little bit about how it works. It all goes back to enamel, the hard outer layer of teeth. Teeth are tough and appear solid, but the surface of each tooth is actually very porous. This makes staining more likely.
Dark-colored beverages like tea, wine, and coffee, as well as other staining agents, can sink into the pores of enamel. This leads to discoloration that’s either difficult or impossible to brush away. All professional whitening methods help to eliminate this enamel staining.
What Are the Benefits of Teeth Whitening?
Professional teeth whitening with the help of a dentist provides you with the best teeth whitening experience you can get, truly second to none. A single whitening session, lasting less than an hour, can easily improve 2-4 shades worth of whitening for all treated teeth.
Professional whitening is less likely to cause burning, soreness, and other discomfort compared to other over-the-counter methods. Since it works so quickly and effectively, you don’t need to worry about buying a lot of different products that may deliver results you’re not satisfied with.
How Teeth Whitening is Done Professionally
Most teeth whitening tips you find on the Web focus on costly toothpastes, gels, and mouthwash you buy over the counter. Unfortunately, none of these methods can produce powerful, long-lasting results to whiten your teeth. Dental whitening takes a different tack.
Most dental whitening procedures rely upon powerful whitening gel. This gel is formulated to scour the stains from the top layers of enamel.
If you haven’t had a dental checkup or cleaning recently, you should usually get this done before your whitening. Cleaning tooth surfaces first helps to ensure the best outcome.
How to Maintain White Teeth After Treatment
After your procedure, you can go back to your regular brushing and flossing routine right away. To sustain your results for as long as possible, be sure to brush at least twice a day and after every meal. Floss at least once per day and consider using fluoridated mouthwash.
The most noticeable stains come from dark liquids like tea, coffee, wine, and soda. Berries (including blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries) and beets are also staining. Using a straw for beverages or simply reducing your intake of these foods can help your teeth to stay white.
Dr. Michael Frith and the Masterpiece Smiles team have helped patients from all throughout the St. Louis area to get whiter, brighter teeth. For the leading dentist St. Louis trusts, contact us today.