The color of your tooth enamel can change over time. The cause may be due to your daily habits in nutrition, choice of beverages, or medication. Luckily, many options exist for when you want your smile to amaze and look whiter and brighter.
At Crestwood Dental Group, if you’d like whiter teeth, a simple conversation with our La Grange, KY dentist can help you learn how you can obtain whiter teeth. We’ve helped patients in Buckner, Crestwood, Pewee Valley, and La Grange get whiter smiles for decades.
Tooth enamel comes in various shades. If you notice that your teeth aren’t as white as they once were teeth whitening can help. The reason tooth enamel changes can be due to a variety of reasons such as:
- Genetics
- Illness
- Medication
- Injuries
- Age
- Tobacco use
- Food and drink
No matter what has caused your tooth enamel to become faded or change, know with confidence that our La Grange, KY dentist office has the tools and experience you need to improve your smile.
Toothpaste – The easiest way to obtain whiter teeth is by using a whitening toothpaste. This method is gentle on your teeth and gums and can visibly whiten your teeth a few shades brighter. Whitening toothpaste is a great as a stand-alone oral hygiene product or as a complement to our professional whitening products.
Strips – Whitening strips use a peroxide gel to whiten teeth. While there are many available brands, talk with our La Grange, KY dentist to determine what might be best for you. Gum sensitivity may be an issue with some brands.
Trays – Whitening trays combine the professional help of Crestwood Dental Group with the convenience of home care. Let us fit you for custom trays. A small amount of whitening gel is added to the tray to brighten your teeth while you remain in the comfort of your own home.
Caring for your teeth after a whitening procedure or after using store products is no different than the steps you should take for preserving your oral health. Brush and floss your teeth and avoid foods and drinks that are known to stain your teeth. Our La Grange, KY dentist can recommend ADA approved products so that your teeth will stay white as long as possible.
At Crestwood Dental Group, we love seeing the joy and excitement that a whiter smile brings to our patients. Call us at (502) 241-9407 to schedule an appointment for whiter teeth. We look forward to making your smile shine bright.
Depending on your desired results, you may opt for a process you can do from the comfort of your own home, or one that is administered in a dental office.
There are a range of at-home processes you may use to whiten your teeth. Whitening toothpastes, strips, and trays are some of the more common options.
Toothpaste
This is the gentlest kind of whitening technique. You can use whitening toothpaste at home without the supervision of a dental professional. This technique usually doesn’t have side effects because it whitens using a polishing action instead of chemicals.
Whitening toothpaste can lighten your teeth, but it will not get your teeth as white as other products containing harsh chemicals. When used correctly, it should whiten your teeth slowly over a few days or weeks. While most whitening toothpastes can easily be bought over the counter, they have not all earned the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance. In regards to oral hygiene, it is best to use products that have been reviewed by the ADA and carry their Seal of Acceptance.
Strips
Many brands offer over-the-counter whitening strips. While they can produce the results you desire, they should only be used as directed. If you have any concerns, contact a dentist to determine if you are a good candidate for at-home whitening strips.
Trays
Dental professionals can custom fit a tray for your teeth that you take home and use with whitening gel to brighten your teeth. Be sure to ask your dentist any questions you may have regarding this procedure.
For tougher stains, quicker change, and a bigger difference, an in-office whitening treatment might be right for you. Dental professionals are specially trained to administer a higher dosage of peroxide to get your teeth whiter than you can at home. A laser or light may also be used along with the peroxide. To protect your gums, the dental professionals may use a gel or thin sheet of rubber. While in-office treatments cannot be done at home, the process is very quick and the most effective.
If you are utilizing a toothpaste or strips, carefully follow the instructions included in the packaging. When being fitted for a dental tray or treated for other in-office whitening procedures, the dental professionals will instruct you on how to take care of your teeth after your treatment. In some cases, your teeth and gums may be sensitive or susceptible after a whitening session. To promote white teeth, avoid stain-causing foods, drinks, and tobacco.
Crestwood Dental Group loves seeing the joy a whiter smile can bring to patients from Crestwood, Buckner, Pewee Valley, La Grange, and the surrounding areas. Give us a call today at (502) 241-9407 to schedule an appointment to go over the ways we can bring that joy into your life!