When many people think about ways that they can fix their smile, they often want to fix problems with discoloration that causes their smile to look a bit off. Thankfully, there are ways to whiten your teeth to make your smile brighter to others. Here are some questions you likely have about making your teeth a few shades lighter.
Can You Just Use Whitening Toothpaste For Whiter Teeth?
With there being so many products out there that claim to help give you whiter teeth, it is easy to think that they can help. One product you may see is teeth whitening toothpaste, with the claim that they can get your teeth a lighter shade by simply brushing your teeth.
Most of these toothpastes are designed to work through abrasion, with there being material in the toothpaste that will remove a surface level stains on your teeth by rubbing it off. It is not going to make a big impact on serious discoloration, or remove stains that are deep within the teeth.
However, don't count these toothpastes completely out from helping you have whiter teeth. If you do get professional whitening done, whitening toothpastes can help maintain a bright smile by removing stains before they set in.
Can Dental Bonding Be Used For Discoloration?
While there are many techniques that can be used to whiten your teeth, many people don't think of dental bonding as an option. This is the process of covering up the problematic stain with bonding material, which will be cured to remain a part of the visible surface of your teeth to help hide tough stains. Dental bonding can also be used to hide problems that are not caused by stains, but the tooth being damaged and discolored. This can happen if you had a root canal performed and now the tooth looks darker than the surrounding teeth.
How Are Peroxide Gel Treatments Different?
The peroxide treatment that a dentist offers is much different than a peroxide gel treatment you can purchase at a local pharmacy. This is due to the peroxide gel used in a dentist office being much stronger than anything you can buy over the counter. This is because it requires extra care to use a stronger gel so that your gums are not irritated, and it is best applied by a professional with experience with teeth whitening.
Speak to a cosmetic dentist if you have more questions about teeth whitening.
