Perhaps you’ve seen commercials about teeth whitening toothpaste, floss, mouthwash and even gum! Every year, people waste millions of dollars on these teeth whitening solutions, which, in reality, don’t make a huge difference.
For example, most toothpastes marketed as “teeth whitening” don’t contain any whitening agents, like peroxide. They are simply abrasive, and slightly polish the surface of your teeth, which can result in slight whitening effect.
But if you’re looking for more noticeable whitening, you’ll need to use a product with a whitening agent that remains on your teeth for at least a few minutes. The most cost-effective way to do this is to use take-home whitening strips. These will make your teeth a few shades whiter, though it take about two weeks to begin to see a result.
However, by far the most effective teeth whitening procedure is done at your dentist. Here at Perdido Bay Dental, we can whiten your teeth – up to eight shades! – in just under an hour.
Why are my teeth yellow?
Most often the culprit for yellow teeth is either smoking or consumption of beverages that stain your teeth, which includes coffee, tea and wine. In many cases, however, there is no root cause other than simply the natural process of aging. Fortunately, yellow teeth are an easily surmountable problem with in-office teeth whitening!
How do I keep my teeth white afterward?
One often-overlooked aspect of whitening your smile is the fact that for a couple weeks after the procedure, they are especially sensitive to staining. Your best bet is to use a straw for drinking tea and coffee (and yes, even wine!) while your teeth recover. This is true even with take-home whitening kits, or whitening strips.
How often should I whiten my teeth?
We have patients who whiten their smile for special events only, and others who like to keep their smile white by getting treatment every year. As long as your enamel is healthy, there is no harm done to your teeth by whitening your smile. One benefit of in-office whitening is we will be able to examine your teeth to make sure there are no underlying issues.
Is it expensive to have my teeth whitened at the dentist?
The simple truth is this: it is more expensive to have your teeth whitened in our office than to do it yourself with take-home whitening trays. However, you will get better results, faster with in-office whitening. No take-home system comes close. And in fact, the price difference is not as much as you might expect!
Give us a call at (850) 542-4428 and we can go over cost and get you booked for an appointment, or text us your questions at (850) 898-9660. And if finances are a concern, take a look at our financial options to see if there is an option that works for your budget!