One of the issues that brings many patients in to see Cheng H. Tai, DDS, is a smile that has lost some of its gleam. If you’ve noticed a lack of brightness in your teeth over the years, you’re certainly not alone. But there are in-office treatments that can give you a gorgeous white smile in about an hour at our Midtown Manhattan, New York, location.
You can also purchase at-home whitening kits from many major retailers, but it’s important to understand that your experience and results will vary with these products.
We get a lot of questions about at-home whitening, so we’re here today to talk about how these products work and whether they’re worth your time and money.
Let’s begin by looking at some of the factors that can change the brightness of your smile.
One of the most common causes of tooth discoloration is the aging process, something we have very little control over. To understand how it happens, it helps to think about the structure of your teeth.
The outermost layer is a thin shell of hard tissue called enamel, which is naturally white. Just beneath your enamel lies another layer of hard tissue called dentin. Your dentin is naturally yellow.
As time passes, some of your enamel wears away, and because it’s such a thin layer to begin with, the wearing allows more of the yellow dentin to show through. There’s not much you can do about this, as everyone loses a portion of their enamel over time.
Other things that can cause or worsen tooth discoloration include:
As you can see, some of these factors are within your control while others aren’t.
The question might be simple, but the answer is a bit more complex. Some over-the-counter products can absolutely give your smile a boost. But none can match the power of teeth whitening systems that are only made available to dental professionals.
There’s also a great deal of variation in the efficacy of over-the-counter teeth whitening kits. Some are stronger than others, and there are different application methods and timelines for treatment. You can find strips that stick to the front of your teeth, gels you apply, toothpastes, mouth rinses, and even tooth whitening powders.
When you whiten at home, you also risk damaging your teeth and gums by letting the products remain on your teeth too long, or by using them for a long period of time.
When you rely on a dental specialist for your teeth whitening needs, you can rest assured your treatment is done using professional-grade products and systems that have undergone extensive testing.
Not only will you achieve a significantly brighter smile in one office visit, but there’s also no risk of harming your teeth or gums in the process.
It’s important to note that teeth whitening is best done when your teeth and gums are healthy and strong. Dr. Tai checks for signs of disease or decay before moving forward with your whitening treatment.
If you need to address any current concerns, our office can schedule your treatments in advance of your teeth whitening.
And if you have additional questions, we’re happy to provide answers. You can book a consultation with Dr. Tai by phone or by filling out our short online contact form.
