What is teeth whitening?
There is a multitude of ways to whiten your teeth, including charcoal toothpaste, whitening toothpaste, bleaching trays, bleaching strips, in-office whitening, and laser whitening. They are all similar in that a whitening or bleaching solution is applied directly to your teeth until they change color.
How does it work?
The two types of dental bleaches either contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These solutions work to penetrate deep into the tooth to remove staining and discoloration, resulting in whiter teeth and a brighter smile. There are no differences in outcomes whether hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide is used.
Does it hurt?
In some cases, patients will feel discomfort or sensitivity, which can easily be resolved by using Sensodyne toothpaste before and/or during your bleaching sessions.
Which method works best?
If you want fast, immediate results, it’s best to visit your dentist for in-office whitening sessions. The reason for this is because only dentists can prescribe more robust whitening solutions, which cannot be found over-the-counter or online. Your dentist will first apply a liquid barrier around your gums to prevent damaging it, then will apply a thin layer of solution to your teeth with a special UV light that will activate the bleach and whiten them immediately. The session usually takes one hour. The more whitening sessions you complete, the whiter they will get. At Newport Beach Dental Studio, Dr. Ha uses a very advanced laser whitening technique, where he uses a specialized machine that radiates laser rays to the bleach and the teeth, whitening them better than any other whitening method available.
Other methods such as whitening and charcoal kinds of toothpaste work, but take longer and will not result in whiter teeth immediately. Be careful with charcoal toothpaste as it is abrasive and prolonged use can thin your teeth and cause permanent sensitivity.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Ha at Newport Beach Dental Studio to whiten your teeth.