Simple and Effective Teeth Whitening Trays

There are many different ways to whiten your teeth in cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Sheth recommends using simple whitening trays because of the quality of whitening and the low cost compared with other methods, as well as the convenience of being able to do it at home.

Professional Whitening at Home

It’s hard to imagine many things more appealing than a sparkling, white smile, yet our teeth rarely stay as white as we’d like them to without a little help. Fortunately, that help is available at Dental Care of Riverside. Teeth whitening done in a professional dental setting is a safe, effective way to brighten your smile. It’s also perhaps the most economical cosmetic dental procedure. Depending on the whitening method you choose, results can be dramatic: in-office whitening, for example, can lighten teeth three to eight shades in a single hour. Professionally supervised whitening will work faster, and protect sensitive gums and tooth-root surfaces better, than over-the-counter whitening products.

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Stains

There are two types of stains that you can have on your teeth. Surface, or “extrinsic” stains, caused by smoking and diet occur on the surface of the enamel. “Intrinsic” stains are deeper and happen inside the tooth. Most teeth whitening treatments with the exception of internal bleaching are targeted towards extrinsic stains. You can improve the appearance of surface stains on your teeth by using a whitening toothpaste. These kinds of toothpastes usually contain special abrasives that gently polish the teeth as well certain chemicals that can help break down stains. These toothpastes can be tough on tooth enamel, so make sure to always read labels when using them — some should only be used temporarily. For longer-lasting results against extrinsic stains, professional teeth whitening treatments are more effective than any whitening toothpaste. To get that brighter smile, you’ll need to actually change the color of your teeth. You can do this using a bleaching agent. The bleaching agents most products use are hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These chemicals break stains into smaller pieces, making their color less concentrated and leaving your teeth much whiter!

Whitening Tailored to Your Teeth

Having an oral exam before you begin any teeth whitening process is an important first step to make sure your tooth discoloration is not the result of a dental condition in need of treatment. Also, please be aware that it can be risky to have whitening solutions applied to your teeth by untrained personnel in shopping malls. If you have any questions about which whitening method would be best for you, talk to us first.

Take-Home Whitening

This is another effective way to whiten your teeth, though you will play a greater role in ensuring the best possible results and several weeks may be needed to achieve your desired level of whiteness. First, a mold of your teeth will be taken and then two thin, flexible plastic mouth trays will be custom-made for you — one for the top teeth and one for the bottom. You will fill the trays with whitening gel and then position the trays over your teeth. The trays are left in usually for about an hour at a time.

How Does Whitening With Trays Work?

Whitening with trays (sometimes called bleaching) is a type of professional whitening that uses custom-made trays and whitening gel only available through Dental Care of Riverside. We place a whitening gel in a custom-fitted tray that fits perfectly over your teeth. As the peroxide in the gel breaks down, hydroxyradicals help whiten your teeth by removing stains. Unlike whitening strips, this process whitens all your natural teeth and may contain ingredients intended to provide maximum comfort. This at-home process generally takes ten to fourteen days, although you may notice results in as little as three to five days.

Come To Us For All Your Whitening Needs

If you have questions about teeth whitening, please give us a call at (951) 683-1600 or send us an email. Here at Dental Care of Riverside, we want you to feel as confident as you can about your smile. In a short conversation and consultation, we can answer all of your questions about how cosmetic dentistry can help you start feeling great about your smile. Check the map for directions before you head our way!