A beautiful, healthy smile can give your confidence a boost, but did you know that it can also improve your oral health? Teeth can become yellow or discolored due to aging, taking certain medications, and consuming coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco and other food and drinks that stain teeth. Professional teeth whitening in Palm Harbor is one of the fastest and most affordable ways to enhance the appearance of your smile and improve your overall well-being.
How Can Teeth Whitening Improve Your Health?
Gum disease and tooth decay are very common dental problems that affect millions of people around the world. Most professional bleaching products contain carbamide peroxide, which kills the bacteria that cause gum disease and decay. When patients see the amazing results during and after teeth whitening, they often practice a better oral hygiene routine by brushing, flossing and rinsing more often, which helps to keep your teeth in good shape. The hydrogen peroxide found in many whitening toothpaste brands and rinses is effective at killing bacteria and does an excellent job of keeping cavities and gum disease at bay. However, it’s important to keep in mind that some whitening toothpaste contains abrasive ingredients that can cause wear on the enamel of your teeth, so it may not be advisable to use them long-term.
Teeth Whitening Can Enhance Self-Confidence
There are also emotional health benefits to whitening—the confidence you gain from having a bright, beautiful smile can allow you to feel more comfortable expressing yourself at work, in social situations, and increase general feelings of self-esteem. With proper care that includes a good oral hygiene routine and regular visits to your Palm Harbor dentist for checkups and cleanings every six months. The aesthetic results of whitening can last for over a year.
Types of Teeth Whitening
In-Office Teeth Whitening: Chairside Whitening is performed in your dentist’s office. This easy, non-invasive procedure can produce dramatic results and whiten teeth up to eight shades in about an hour. First, a protective covering is placed to shield your gums and other soft tissues of the mouth. A professional-grade bleaching agent is applied to the teeth.
At-Home Teeth Whitening Trays: Your dentist takes impressions and creates customized trays that you use at home with a professional-grade whitening gel. Trays are usually worn 30 to 60 minutes per day for a few weeks, and some systems can even be used overnight. Although you can buy over-the-counter teeth whitening systems, the custom trays made by your dentist helps keep the bleaching gel from oozing out and irritating the gums and throat.
Professional Whitening Strips: There are a ton of OTC teeth whitening products on the market, but professional-grade whitening strips are more effective at brightening teeth quickly. The effects of professional whitening may last longer.
Is Teeth Whitening for You?
Teeth whitening is one of the safest cosmetic dental procedures available, but it may not be for everyone. Patients with gum disease, extremely sensitive teeth, and damaged dental restorations may not be candidates for bleaching. For best results, placement of any new restorations such as crowns, veneers, or fillings should always be completed before whitening your teeth. Talk to your dentist about which teeth whitening method will best fit your needs.
Contact Harborview Dental Health Today to Learn More about Teeth Whitening In Palm Harbor
At Harborview Dental Health, we provide gentle dental care services to all our patients, including teeth cleaning appointments. To schedule an appointment or for more information about restorative dentistry and the benefits of teeth whitening in Palm Harbor, contact our dentist in Palm Harbor today at (727) 785-4716.