Whiten Up Your Smile

Whiten Up Your Smile

A dull smile may make you feel a little less confident about your appearance. Luckily, teeth whitening provides a simple way to lighten yourteeth whitening teeth by as much as three to eight shades. Our Mooresville, NC, dentist, Dr. R. Scott Langdon, shares some information about teeth whitening.

Whitening doesn't have to take long

Over-the-counter whitening kits can take weeks or months to produce results, unlike professional whitening. After a single visit to our Mooresville office, your smile will be noticeably whiter. In fact, in-office whitening only takes about an hour.

Your dentist uses strong whitening agents

Hydrogen peroxide is the effective ingredient in whiteners, but its strength varies depending on whether you purchase a drugstore product or choose professional whitening. The hydrogen peroxide used in professional whitening is much stronger than the whiteners in over-the-counter products and can produce impressive results quickly.

Hydrogen peroxide is a very effective stain buster

Brushing your teeth is an excellent way to remove plaque, but it's not very effective in removing stains. Stains form when pigments in darkly colored foods penetrate tiny pores in your tooth enamel. The pores are so small that they can't be reached with toothbrush bristles. Any food or beverage that contains dark or brightly colored pigments, such as coffee or berries, can cause stains. Smoking also tends to stain your enamel.

Hydrogen peroxide gel is very effective at removing stains. It seeps into the pores in the enamel and breaks apart the pigments that cause stains.

Preparation before whitening is very important

Before your teeth are whitened, you'll undergo a dental examination and cleaning. The examination ensures that you don't have any cavities or other dental issues. Should your dentist find any problems, he'll probably recommend treating your oral health issues before proceeding with the whitening session.

Cleaning your teeth removes plaque and tartar. These substances not only cause cavities and gum disease, but block the effects of the hydrogen peroxide gel. If you whiten your teeth without removing plaque and tartar, your teeth will look speckled after your treatment. A cleaning and dental exam are important whether your choose in-office whitening or opt for an at-home whitening kit offered by your dentist.

Sensitivity can occur if even a small amount of gel touches your roots or gums. Before your treatment, a special gel will be applied to your gums to protect them. Retractors, small plastic devices that gently pull your cheeks away from your teeth, will also be used.

Boost your smile with teeth whitening. Call our Mooresville, NC, dentist, Dr. Langdon, at (704) 664-1188 to schedule your appointment.