All You Need to Know About In-Office Teeth Whitening 

Professional teeth whitening is an efficient, effective, and safe option for brightening your smile. It is a popular cosmetic dental treatment that offers a quick, non-invasive way of enhancing your smile. Universally valued by men and women, whitening treatments are available to satisfy any time frame, budget, and temperament.

In-office whitening is as effective as compared to home whitening products. Though relatively expensive, the results are long-lasting. Virtually everyone who opts for professional teeth whitening sees a substantial improvement in the brightness and whiteness of their teeth and smiles. However, it is not a permanent solution to discoloration and may require touch-ups and maintenance for a prolonger effect.

Professional Whitening Methods

The two main products used in teeth whitening are carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. Unlike a tooth whitening toothpaste that uses an abrasive substance to remove the surface stains mechanically, the oxygen molecules in these two whitening agents weaken your stains on a molecular level.

There are also many over-the-counter whitening kits, strips, and pens that use a form of peroxide. The difference between these and the professional teeth whiting at a dental office is the level of chemical concentration.

At the dental office, your dentist will use a high percentage of hydrogen peroxide because there is the capability of isolating the teeth. In addition, a special rubber dam is used to protect your gums because if peroxide gets into them, it will burn them.

Like at-home teeth whitening products, a variety of professional teeth whitening is available at our teeth whitening near you. In addition, peroxide, laser, and zoom teeth whitening are used. In-office teeth whitening is a quicker, albeit more costly, way of brightening your pearly whites.

What You Need to Know About In-Office Teeth Whitening

An in-office teeth whitening is typically completed in several short appointments, depending on your unique needs. A whitening agent is left on your teeth for 15-30 minutes, and the entire appointment does not take more than two hours. There are a few types of in-office treatments; a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide gel is applied using a syringe, and hydrogen peroxide is combined with a high-intensity light like halogen, LED, or UV. This light is applied using a lamp or a laser device that sits directly outside your mouth.

Halogen and laser light increase the teeth’s lightness more than hydrogen peroxide alone. The results are also long-lasting. However, some studies found no benefit to using a light tool such as lase or lamp over a whitening gel alone.

Aside from its effectiveness, the light exposure from a laser is safe for your smile. Studies have found that tooth cells recovered well after using a LED light accelerated technology, establishing that most side effects of using laser are transient and temporary.

What To Expect During An In-Office Teeth Whitening in Saint Paul, MN?

An in-office teeth whitening involves the following steps:

• Your dentist near you will use a tooth shade chart to confirm the shade of your teeth. You will also discuss with your dentist how many shades lighter your smile may look after the teeth whitening.
• Next, your dentist will use a pumice tool to polish your tooth and remove the remaining plaque between your teeth.
• To prevent the whitening agent from touching any fleshy parts of your mouth like your gums, tongue, and cheeks. Your dentist will use tools that keep your mouth wide open and place a barrier along the gum line.
• Your dentist then applies a whitening agent and leave for an hour. Your dentist will also use a light activation if that’s part of the treatment.
• If the whitening agent requires the application of additional coats, then your dentist will reapply.
• Once the whitening process is completed, your mouth is then rinsed. Your dentist at Little Canada Dental may decide to apply fluoride, which will help mitigate any sensitivity.

Your dentist will also discuss the lifestyle habits you need to practice the following day to let the whitening agent sink in. This may include not taking brightly colored foods and resisting red wine and coffee. Immediately after whitening, your teeth are dehydrated, making them susceptible to food stains and liquid.