Toronto Teeth Whitening

Whitening Your Teeth

Teeth whitening is one of the easiest procedures that can be done to improve the appearance of a smile. Today, teeth whitening is a safe and long-lasting way to achieve a brighter smile.

Before Whitening	After Whitening

A dentist-supervised whitening treatment is the safest and most effective method for obtaining whiter teeth. Teeth become darker with age and exposure to substances such as coffee, tea, and tobacco can contribute to discoloration. These yellow, brown or orange colored stains respond best to whitening. Other stains may be caused by exposure to a drug called tetracycline or to excess fluoride during early stages of tooth development. These gray stains can be lightened but results are not as predictable.

Best Teeth Whitening Options

After an exam to ensure oral health, your dentist will determine if you are a candidate for a whitening process. There are several whitening processes available today; your dentist will recommend one that will give you the best results.

In-office Teeth Whitening

In-office whitening is done at your dentist’s office. While it may require several visits depending on the number of teeth that need whitening, in-office whitening is the fastest way to brighten your smile. Your dentist protects your gums, then applies a bleaching agent to the teeth. A special heat light may be used to activate the agent.

Take Home Teeth Whitening

A Take Home whitening system is the most popular way to achieve a whiter smile. Your dentist first takes an impression of the teeth to create custom bleaching tray. When you receive the bleaching tray, you will also receive the whitening gel and specific instructions from your dentist on how to use the system. This system usually takes 10 to 14 days to complete but some patients may begin to notice results right away. Your dentist will ask you to come back to check on your progress.

Teeth Whitening Toothpastes

A number of whitening toothpastes are available to purchase over-the-counter.

These toothpastes rely on chemical or abrasive agents to remove stains form the surface of teeth. Since the active whitening ingredient is not exposed to the tooth surface for long, toothpastes are less effective for significant whitening.

These toothpastes may be best to maintain a bright smile after an in-office or at-home whitening treatment. Check with your dentist before using one of these products.

Side Effects of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is very safe, especially when supervised by your dentist. The whitening process does not harm existing enamel, tooth structure, bonding or restorations. However, whitening agents will not lighten bonding or tooth-colored fillings, only the teeth around them.

For some people, teeth may become sensitive during the 10 to 14 days of treatment with whitening gel. Your dentist may choose to alter the treatment to alleviate sensitivity. However, the sensitivity is usually temporary and will lessen after treatment is over. Some people may have slight gum irritation from small amounts of the whitening gel coming in contact with tissue.

Length of Effectiveness

Depending on personal habit, whiter, brighter teeth should last one-five years. Smoking and drinking coffee, tea and dark colas can darken teeth sooner and may require a whitening touch-up. Twice-daily brushing, daily flossing and regular dental checkups will help keep whitened teeth bright.

Zoom Teeth Whitening

Take a first step in feeling good and looking great with brighter, whiter teeth in less than an hour. Zoom! teeth whitening is safe, effective and very fast, and performed only by a dental professional.

What type of teeth whitening products do you offer?

Our offices offer two types of in-office bleaching (such as ZOOM!) and take home whitening systems ( Opalescence ).

• A home whitening system may be prescribed. An impression is taken of your mouth for a mouthguard. You will be supplied with a gel that is placed in the mouthguard to hold the bleaching agent against your teeth. It is very important to follow home care instructions carefully and not exceed the time when leaving the bleach on the teeth. It is equally important to see your dentist regularly so he or she may track your progress and assess your treatment.
• In-office whitening system is a procedure whereby the dentist applies a hydrogen peroxide solution to the targeted teeth and will then apply a laser light to accelerate the process. Special care is taken to protect the gums and surrounding tissues while the procedure is in progress. This procedure may be repeated until the desired shade is achieved. Zoom! is a revolutionary teeth-whitening procedure that lightens discoloration of enamel and dentin that is safe, effective, and very fast. In just over an hour, your teeth will be dramatically whiter. Zoom is much faster and more convenient than traditional teeth whitening or bleaching methods that use trays or whitening strips. Zoom's convenience makes it the perfect teeth-whitening choice for the busy individual. It's the ideal solution for anyone looking for immediate results!