“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” This old saying holds true, as people tend to form opinions from the moment they meet someone. In fact, your smile is often one of the first things people notice about you. A recent study found that 76% of Americans think a smile is the most important physical trait to making a good first impression. That means a beautiful smile can enhance how others perceive you, opening doors to better social, professional, and personal opportunities. If you want your smile to leave a lasting impact, it might be time to consider teeth bleaching.
What Causes Tooth Discoloration?
To understand how to get whiter teeth, we first need to understand what stains and discolors them. Daily consumption of stain-inducing beverages, such as coffee, tea, soda, and red wine, as well as lifestyle choices like smoking, contribute to external teeth staining.
Additionally, internal factors, including aging, certain medications, and dental injuries, can lead to intrinsic staining, which lies beneath the surface of the enamel.
Teeth bleaching offers a solution to extrinsic and intrinsic discoloration, effectively lightening the teeth by several shades.
How Teeth Bleaching Works
Teeth bleaching is a chemical process that lightens the color of your teeth, providing a noticeable difference in their appearance. The treatment requires the application of a bleaching agent, typically hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. This bleach penetrates the enamel, reaching the discolored molecules inside your teeth. By breaking down the molecular bonds holding stains together, teeth bleaching effectively reduces discoloration and gives you a whiter, more attractive smile. Your new, brighter teeth can last for years with proper maintenance and a more careful diet.
In-Office Versus At-Home Teeth Bleaching
If you’re considering teeth bleaching, you may be curious about the options available. In-office teeth bleaching, performed here at Aspire Dental, offers immediate and dramatic results, making it an ideal choice for those seeking quick improvement. Our Philips Zoom system can whiten your teeth by up to 8 shades while causing minimal discomfort or sensitivity. This procedure typically takes an hour or less and involves the application of a high-concentration bleaching gel under carefully controlled conditions.
On the other hand, at-home whitening kits provided by Aspire Dental allow for a more gradual whitening process. These kits include custom-fitted trays and a lower-concentration bleaching gel, which you apply for a specified duration over a few weeks. While the results are more gradual compared to in-office bleaching, at-home kits offer the convenience of whitening teeth in the comfort of your home. You can also keep the trays to use for future applications.
What About Store-Bought Kits?
With so many people looking to brighten their smiles, the rise of store-bought whitening kits over the past decade has been dramatic. While these kits offer a certain level of convenience, they come with several drawbacks compared to professional whitening. First of all, these kits are a one-size-fits-all situation. They may not perfectly conform to the exact shape of your mouth, teeth, or gums, which can cause excessive irritation or sensitivity. Second, there’s no professional monitoring should something go wrong or need to be adjusted. Finally, the chemicals in these drugstore whitening kits aren’t as powerful as the ones you get with a whitening treatment at Aspire Dental, providing limited results. If you’re looking for the most effective results, professional whitening is the way to go.
Sensitivity and Safety Concerns
A common concern among individuals considering teeth bleaching is the potential for tooth sensitivity and the procedure’s overall safety. It’s reassuring to know that when performed under the supervision of a dental professional like Dr. Hall or Dr. McNeil, this is a safe and effective way to enhance your smile. To minimize sensitivity, we may recommend specific toothpaste or adjust the concentration and application time of the bleaching agent.
Making Teeth Bleaching Accessible
Understanding that financial considerations can influence the decision to undergo teeth bleaching, our practice is committed to making this transformative procedure accessible to everyone. While it’s unlikely that insurance will cover teeth whitening, we work with various financing companies to offer flexible payment plans that fit your budget.
Schedule Your Teeth Bleaching Treatment Today
Teeth bleaching is more than just a cosmetic procedure; it’s an investment in your self-confidence and future. With our professional services, we can help you unlock the full potential of your smile. Contact us today to learn more about our teeth whitening services or to schedule your visit. It’s time to begin the journey to a more confident smile!