Teeth Whitening Agoura Hills CADo you want a brighter, whiter smile? Feeling confident in your smile can inspire confidence in all that you do. If you are embarrassed by stains on your teeth, you may experience a dip in your confidence levels. Teeth whitening is a common cosmetic dentistry procedure that can have truly outstanding results. If you or a loved one are interested in teeth whitening, talking with the professionals at Artistic Smiles should be your first step. Give us a call at (818) 930-5647 or book an appointment today! Why Do I Need Teeth Whitening?We know that when your teeth come in for the first time, they are sparkling and beautiful. Fresh newly-erupted white teeth are pearly and perfect. However, as time goes by, your teeth will continue to grow less white and more discolored. If you use a lot of tobacco or caffeine, your teeth will be more yellow and discolored than people who don’t use tobacco or caffeine. You may also have issues with your teeth because of the medications you use. While chemotherapy medication and antibiotics can help your body fight off disease, your teeth could pay the price with discoloration. Your teeth could also darken as you age as well. Why Do People Whiten Their Teeth?You could decide to whiten your teeth for a lot of reasons. You may want to whiten your teeth to help them look healthier, especially when they have been stained by gum disease, plaque or tartar. You might also want to have whiter teeth for an event that is a milestone in your life, such as a wedding or a graduation. You may also need to look great for a job interview so that you can get a new job or a promotion. Researchers have found that you look an average of 10 years younger with whiter teeth. Teeth whitening could be seen as a way to get an instant facelift, and it is much cheaper. There are two main whitening options for whitening your teeth: at-home or in-office. There are pros and cons to each strategy. At-Home WhiteningAt-home whitening is usually cheaper than in-office whitening and is most people’s first stop. There are several different strategies for at-home whitening. Tooth-Whitening ToothpastesAll toothpastes can help remove stains from teeth due to their mildly abrasive nature. But whitening toothpastes contain chemicals or polishing agents that can help scrub stains for the surface of your teeth. Whitening toothpastes do not contain bleach, and while some do contain peroxides, they are not left on your teeth for long enough to have a whitening effect. They are inexpensive and widely available, but generally only brighten your teeth by about one shade. Whitening RinsesUsed twice a day by rinsing for one-minute, whitening rinses work by reacting hydrogen peroxide or other reactive oxygen sources with the chromogens on the tooth. It can take up to three months to see any improvement, and your teeth usually only brighten by one shade. Tooth-Whitening Strips and GelsStrips or gels are directly applied to your teeth with a brush or thin strip once or twice a day, every day, for anywhere from 10-30 days. You can usually see whitening of 1-2 shades in a few days, and the whitening results last for up to four months. They are widely available and generally cost around $10-$50 for a single treatment. Tooth Bleaching TraysCosting anywhere from $150-$600, tray-based bleaching systems utilize a mouth-guard shaped tray and a peroxide-based bleaching gel or paste. Placed over the teeth for one or more hours every day for up to four weeks, tray bleaching is an effective but cumbersome method. In-Office WhiteningThere are almost endless products lining the shelves of grocery stores, each promising to give you a whiter and brighter smile with their use. The costs of over-the-counter whitening products can add up significantly over time, for whitening results that are not as immediate and as effective as in-office treatments. Even with lower levels of the bleaching agent than what is found in professional treatments, gum sensitivity is a possibility. In-office whitening treatments will ensure the protection of your gums, and your overall levels of comfort. By getting your teeth whitening done at the office, you can get whiter teeth, faster. In-office whitening treatments are a non-invasive way that can brighten your teeth. Your teeth will get dramatically brighter - three to eight shades - in just a few 30-60 minute office visits. How Does In-Office Whitening Work?Professional whitening has three main stages. First, we prepare your mouth so that your cheeks and gums are covered, exposing only your teeth. Then we apply a professional-strength whitener to your teeth. After that, we expose your teeth to a special LED light to accelerate bleaching and you relax in our office for 15 minutes. We repeat steps two and three up to three times, reapplying the gel and light treatment each time. You should be able to see dramatic whitening results with just one treatment. I Want Whiter Teeth! What Should I Do Next?Even if you are considering at-home treatments, it is important to talk to the professionals at Artistic Smiles about your whitening options first. Tooth bleaching can make your teeth feel sensitive or can worsen already sensitive teeth. It works best for people with yellow teeth; people with brown, gray or purple teeth might not see any improvement. After a thorough examination of your teeth, gums and bone structure, followed by a dental cleaning, we will provide you with your whitening treatment plan. Contact Artistic Smiles to schedule your professional teeth whitening treatment. Call us at (818) 930-5647 to make an appointment today! |
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