The over the counter (OTC) teeth whitening industry has been booming for decades—take one look at celebrity gossip magazines or big-budget film stars, and it’s easy to see why. It seems like everyone has a flawless smile these days. Brighter-than-bright teeth may not be the natural state for all mouths, but you can’t deny the positive impression that bright teeth make and the confidence a gorgeous smile inspires.
To learn more about the types of whitening treatments we offer, call Cornerstone Dental in Fargo, ND today at 701-237-3583 and schedule a consultation with one of our staff.
Is it Time to Whiten Your Teeth?
Dr. Goodwill and Dr. Gieseke suggest that you first take a good look at your own teeth—are they as milky-bright as they were in your school pictures? Probably not, and the cause for their gradual staining is most likely the foods and drinks that pass through your mouth. Among the most staining beverages are coffee, tea, and red wine. Tobacco use is another common culprit. Even e-cigarettes and vaporizers can cause staining, since nicotine will stain when it reacts with oxygen.
If you have ever used the same mug for more than one cup of tea or coffee during the work day, you were probably surprised later by how quickly the stains set into the mug’s interior. Just imagine how all those cups of coffee and tea have left their mark on the enamel of your teeth. Regular brushing and flossing habits will do a good job of removing most food and plaque, but the stubborn chromogens (color pigments) found in red wine, coffee, and tea may require a stronger approach.
Trauma or injury to the teeth can cause discoloration, as might normal wear and tear after years of use. Swallowing fluoride during childhood can also cause streaks or lines, which can be mitigated with whitening. Different medications can cause different types of stains, many of which of which will respond to bleaching treatments.
Whether you have specific stubborn stains you want defeated, or just desire an overall lightening and brightening of your smile, we offer two at-home options that will get you results!
Why Not Just Use OTC Products?
There are countless teeth whitening products to choose from on supermarket shelves, and many of them do work. But there are two reasons why a dentists-supervised treatment is a better approach.
- Professional treatments are less likely to cause pain and tooth sensitivity. If you use an OTC one-size-fits-all whitening tray (or strips), there is a much greater chance the whitening gel can travel to other parts of the mouth, or be applied unevenly, which can lead to tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.
- A dentists takes into consideration the health of your whole mouth. A consultation and check-up before you begin whitening can save you a lot of trouble, and possibly pain. If you’ve ever had restorative dental work done, only a dentists can tell you whether a whitening regimen will (a) be effective on all of your teeth, and (b) further aggravate any problems or untreated issues you may have. Some dental work cannot be whitened, and only your dentists can tell you beforehand what kind of results to expect.
Also consider that the American Dental Association (ADA) does not endorse any whitening products that can be purchased over the counter (though some whitening toothpastes bear the ADA seal). That’s why we recommend using only the supervision and products recommended by oral health professionals.
Here at Cornerstone, we currently offers two whitening options: (1) custom fit trays with take-home whitening gel; and (2) Opalescence Go, a set of prefilled, disposable whitening trays. For both of these products our team will provide on-going guidance for use, as well as care instructions for your teeth and trays when you are using the products.
To find out which teeth whitening products would work best for you, call Cornerstone Dental in Fargo, ND today at 701-237-3583 and schedule a consultation with one of our dental professionals.