Types of Bleaching
There are two general types of bleaching that can be done when getting your teeth whitened. The first is vital bleaching, which is used on “living” teeth that have been affected by external factors like food, age, or tobacco. The second is non-vital bleaching, which instead affects “lifeless” teeth that darken through internal factors like root canals or cavities.
Why Teeth Whitening is Done
Like any other cosmetic treatment, teeth whitening is done in order to improve a person’s appearance and enhance their smile. Although it seems frivolous, studies have shown that after teeth whitening, a person sees significant increases in favourability and higher ratings in categories like charisma, career success, and intelligence.
Whitening Teeth at Home
If you’re whitening your teeth at home through bleach, always make sure to consult with your dentist first; by just purchasing any random off-the-shelf teeth whitening product, you could potentially cause considerable damage to the teeth and gums.
Some options your dentist may recommend include brushing with toothpaste containing special bleach, special bleach and heat, or special bleach and a custom mouthguard. At-home teeth whitening generally takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to see results.
Whitening Teeth In-Office
If you choose to whiten teeth through the dentist, they’ll generally follow a set procedure. First, they’ll thoroughly clean the teeth to remove plaque and fill any cavities, then follow on with a dental dam at the following appointment before applying a special bleach to the teeth consisting of 10 to 35% hydrogen peroxide for 10 to 45 minutes. The latter process is affected by a variety of external factors, like the intended result or your oral health.
Cost
Naturally, this can widely vary depending on which dentist clinic you attend. For in-office treatments, expect to pay anywhere between $390 to $920.
Best Whitening Products
There’s a wide variety of good teeth whitening products on the market, but there’s no “end-all-be-all” type; it’s up to personal preference. Some products recommended by dentists are LumiBrite Take-Home Whitening Gel, Crest 3D Whitestrips, and Opalescence PF 35% Whitening Gel.
The Right Clinic
If you want the best whitening job possible, it never hurts to find the right clinic. It’s highly recommended to do thorough research on the right clinic for you based on sensible guidelines like dental needs, insurance, and location.
Serving the Sarnia region, the Mackinlay-Slipacoff Dental Centre provides a wide range of dental services, from denture placement and dental implants to family dentistry to Invisalign and invisible braces. Doctors Fraser Mackinlay and Tyler Slipacoff, both with decades of professional experience, have recently partnered together and are dedicated to providing the most comprehensive dentistry possible while still maintaining the excellent dental service you love. The addition of Dr. Slipacoff means more in-house services and fewer referrals for you! Check out our website for more information on our services or email us at drfsmackinlay@cogeco.net for more information.
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