How is teeth whitening done

Cotner P. Professional in-office whitening treatments - the procedure. American Dental Association. Updated August Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.

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Sign Up. What are your concerns? Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Before examining these in detail, let's quickly look at how teeth whitening works so you can understand what's happening when you get your teeth whitened with a dentist. If quick results are your main concern, this could be the best professional teeth whitening method for you.

The first step of the laser teeth whitening process is to apply a seal or shield to protect the gums. Then, the teeth are coated with a bleaching product — usually containing hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening.

A laser shone on the teeth during treatment is what makes this whitening technique so quick and effective. The results of laser whitening should be clear after just one visit, but your dentist may recommend repeating the process to achieve the results you desire. Laser teeth whitening, when performed in-office by a licensed professional is safe.

However, because it is so intensive, laser teeth whitening side effects may include sensitivity in your teeth. Any sensitivity should subside quite quickly but can be uncomfortable for some patients and extremely painful for others. This method may, therefore, be best avoided by people who want teeth whitening for sensitive teeth. Another professional teeth whitening option is Zoom whitening.

Using technology from Phillips, this works in a similar way to laser whitening but instead uses LED lights to accelerate a whitening agent. In most cases, Zoom tooth whitening costs less than laser whitening. LED teeth whitening systems like Zoom are not as intense as laser treatment so you might need more than one session to see the results you want, although Phillips claim they can whiten teeth by up to eight shades in an hour.

LED whitening has largely replaced UV whitening since it's safer and proven to be more effective. It's UV light that causes sunburn and skin cancer, so using it in the mouth can damage gums, cheeks, and lips. Let's have a closer look at these options now. Zoom QuickPro was designed so that patients could spend a minimal amount of time in the dentist's chair.

It takes just 30 minutes of in-office time and is ideal for touching up the whiteness of your teeth or getting a jump on the whitening process. According to the Philips website, you'll get 4 shades brighter in a single 30 minute session.

How does it work? Zoom WhiteSpeed offers the most results. It takes 45 minutes and teeth can get up to 8 shades whiter. Should you choose this options:. To give you a better idea of what this whitening treatment involves, here is a video review from a woman named Brooklyn who had Zoom whitening at the dentist. She explains the process in detail and shows each step as it happened, so it's interesting to watch if you're considering having this treatment.

Brooklyn made two visits to the dentist, the first to create molds of her teeth and the second for the actual whitening. The whitening consisted of three minute sessions, all in the same day. Straight after her whitening session she was given mouth trays containing a sensitivity-reducing gel, which she wore for 30 minutes.

This last step makes this a good option for those looking for teeth whitening for sensitive teeth. You can find Zoom teeth whitening at dentists all over the country. If you need help finding a dentist who offers Zoom in your area, call to get connected and make your appointment. The best way to whiten teeth professionally at home is with a take-home kit provided by your dentist.

These apply professional tooth whitening gel to your teeth using custom-made dental bleaching trays like mouthguards. Because the gel is administered by a qualified professional, it's allowed to be stronger than over-the-counter whitening products. This treatment begins with a visit to your dentist to take impressions of your teeth.

These are used to create your custom trays, which will fit snugly in your mouth to ensure even coverage of the gel. Once your trays have been made, you'll return to collect them. To avoid adverse effects on both teeth and gums, Kwon recommends consulting a dental provider who can determine the best treatment plan.

Kwon says tooth-whitening not only whitens your teeth but, more importantly, motivates you to take better care of your teeth — and that will improve your overall oral health. Flash that million-dollar smile with Dr.

Consult with your dentist for best teeth-whitening options. Over-the-counter products are good alternative whitening options. Be mindful of home remedies. Refrain from high-colored foods and drinks. Consult a dentist if you suffer from tooth sensitivity. Use teeth-whitening toothpaste and mouthwashes as maintenance. Exposure to darkly colored liquids and foods such as coffee, tea, red wine and berries can lead to more discoloration.

Giving up your morning coffee for the color of your teeth is an option, but not an easy one for many people. Practice excellent oral hygiene habits to maintain a bright, beautiful smile. Brush and floss daily. Try brushing with a whitening toothbrush and toothpaste, Colgate Optic White, to help remove food stains in addition to a mouthwash such as Colgate Optic White can also help to prevent future stains.

See your dentist and dental hygienist for regular cleanings. All of this can help to keep the color that you want after you whiten your teeth. This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

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