How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Hillsboro, OR
 Your smile is incredibly important and is quite often the very first thing that others notice. A major factor in the quality of your smile is the condition of your teeth. The teeth are naturally a bright white color. However, several factors can cause the teeth to become dull and discolored. Any discoloration can have a significant impact on your smile, and can even impact what others think of you. At Century Dental, we offer teeth whitening as a solution for your tooth discoloration.
Improving Tooth Color with Teeth Whitening
Enamel is naturally white. However, it is susceptible to staining, which dulls the brilliance of your teeth and cause them to become discolored. Many factors can contribute to discoloration. These factors include what you eat and drink, tobacco use, some medications, and your age. Any amount of discoloration can impact your smile as well as and your confidence. Teeth whitening helps to rid your teeth stains and discoloration, enhancing their appearance. When your smile is improved, your confidence is boosted.
How Teeth Whitening Works
To help you restore the brilliance to your smile, we can provide you with whitening trays. This treatment involves the use of custom trays, which are created just for you based on impressions we take of your teeth. Two appointments are necessary. During the first appointment, we take the impressions. At your second appointment, you are given your trays, the whitening gel, and instructions for use.
The trays are used to hold the whitening gel on the surfaces of your teeth. An ingredient in the gel works to open up the pores of your enamel. A peroxide ingredient, the active ingredient in professional whitening treatments, breaks down. As it does, it causes the formation of small bubbles, which enter through the pores to break up and eliminate stains.
There are two ways whitening trays can be used. One way is to wear them twice a day for a few hours each time. They can be worn while you read, relax, or do chores around the house. Alternatively, you can wear your trays while you sleep. This flexibility allows you to whiten when it is convenient for you. The length of your treatment will depend upon the severity of your staining and your goals. With a consultation, we will be able to help you determine the best treatment plan to help you achieve optimal results.
How Safe is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is very safe. The gel is designed to minimize the risk of gum irritation while providing you with optimal results. Your trays are made to keep the gel only on your teeth, away from the gums. One of the most common issues caused by teeth whitening is tooth sensitivity, which occurs because the pores of the teeth are opened up. Sensitivity is temporary and can often be managed with a toothpaste designed to help deal with this specific issue. Once your whitening treatment is complete, your sensitivity should begin to disappear.
Teeth whitening is an incredibly safe and effective way to eliminate stains from your teeth, restoring them to their bright white brilliance. For more information on teeth whitening, and to find out if it is right for you, watch our video on teeth whitening and then call Century Dental at (971) 708-1608 to schedule your consultation.
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