There are many different ways to whiten your teeth: from professional whitening processes to home remedies, you can keep your teeth white while strengthening them from receiving further stains. If you are curious about what teeth whitening procedure will achieve the best results for your teeth, contact Maplebrook Dental and see what options are available.
Boost Whitening
Boost Whitening is a process that uses a bleaching gel to remove deep stains from the enamel and dentin of your teeth. The formula the gel is made from includes hydrogen peroxide and/or carbamide peroxide acting as the bleaching agents, and PF (potassium nitrate and fluoride). Potassium nitrate can reduce the sensitivity of your teeth, and fluoride will help protect and strengthen enamel.
Boost Whitening is performed in-office and is a relatively short and unobtrusive procedure since it does not require lights to activate the bleaching effects needed to whiten your teeth. Your dental professional will first prepare your teeth through a dental cleaning, then the gel will be applied to your teeth and left to sit for about 15 minutes. Afterward, your mouth is rinsed and the process is complete. Including preparation time, the process of Boost Whitening takes about an hour to complete.
Polawhite Whitening Trays
Take-home Polawhite trays are another way to whiten your teeth and can be more convenient for those who do not wish to go into their dental office for Boost Whitening. The process is similar to Boost Whitening: First, your teeth should be cleaned well to prepare them for the Polawhite tray. The tray itself contains a similar gel as Boost Whitening procedures. The tray should be left on for about 20 minutes and be used 5 times a week for the most effective results. After using a Polawhite tray at home, you should rinse your mouth well.
Bleaching
Bleaching procedures involve a peroxide-based gel (like Boost Whitening), and sometimes need specialty lights to activate bleaching effects. If you are considering tooth-bleaching, it is important to first consult with a dentist to determine what the cause of your tooth discolouration is and to determine whether a bleaching treatment will have the desired result you want. This step is especially important for patients with fillings, root canal treatments, crowns, and/or with extremely dark stains on the anterior teeth.
Vital Bleaching
Non-Vital Bleaching
Three Methods of Bleach Whitening
- Putting a special bleach on your stained teeth and using heat (or heat and light) to start the bleaching action.
- Wearing a custom-made mouthguard filled with a special bleach for part of each day.
- Brushing with a special bleach mixed in toothpaste.
Surface Whiteners
Surface whiteners are products that use special abrasives to improve the product’s ability to remove surface stains. Typically these products are limited to only dealing with surface stains on your teeth, but they have the advantage of being unlikely to cause excessive tooth wear.
Whitening Strips
Similar to whitening trays, these strips are coated with a peroxide-based gel meant for whitening teeth.
Toothpaste and Gum
Whitening gum and toothpaste contain finer versions of the abrasives contained in normal toothpaste and gum. As previously described, this allows these products to help remove surface stains while being unlikely to cause tooth wear.
Avoid Staining Your Teeth
The best practice to gain whiter teeth is to prevent them from getting stained in the first place. Brushing and flossing regularly is a must, and can help prevent other oral complications like cavities and gum diseases.
Some foods and drinks you should avoid consuming in excess to keep your teeth white are:
- Black tea and coffee
- Red and white wine
- Sodas and carbonated drinks
- Energy and sports drinks
- Colourful sauces
Avoiding smoking and vaping can also help keep your teeth whiter.
