A sparkling white smile is something most people dream of but are not able to achieve on their own due to a number of environmental factors, like smoking cigarettes and drinking red wine and coffee. Fortunately, with professional teeth whitening treatments, having whiter teeth is no longer out of reach.
However, many people avoid teeth whitening due to concerns over the safety of this treatment. The good news is that having your teeth whitened by a dentist is incredibly safe and has minimal risks.
In this article, we will help you weigh the risks and benefits of professional teeth whitening treatments. We will dispel some of the most common myths surrounding the available treatments and explain the different treatment options available in North Vancouver.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
When it comes to whitening your teeth, there are two options available: store-bought whitening products you can use at home and professional whitening treatments administered by a dentist.
The most common store-bought whitening products include:
- Whitening toothpaste
- Whitening strips
- Whitening gel pens
- Activated charcoal
While inexpensive and easily obtainable in North Vancouver, store-bought whitening products are not as effective or safe as professional whitening treatments. For instance, whitening strips, which are the most popular option, are not custom fitted to your smile. That means they do not properly cover all of your teeth, which can lead to uneven results as well as tooth and gum sensitivity. Below, we’ll discuss the difference between store-bought products and professional teeth whitening.
Professional whitening treatments provided by a dentist in North Vancouver are a much safer and more effective option.
Professional Teeth Whitening, Explained
Professional teeth whitening treatments are highly effective because they are customized to fit your mouth perfectly. The whitening agent used by dentists is also powerful enough to remove superficial surface discolouration while also penetrating the pores of the enamel to remove stronger, deeper stains.
When having your teeth whitened by a dentist, two options are available at our North Vancouver dental clinic – in-office and at home. During in-office treatments, our North Vancouver dentists use professional ZOOM products and can lighten your teeth by one to two shades in just a single two-hour appointment. For at-home professional whitening, our dentists provide custom-made whitening trays to fit your teeth perfectly. You will be given the custom trays and professional whitening products to use at home. You may also request customs tray following an in-office appointment so that you can maintain your desired shade at home.
We usually recommend that those with sensitive teeth try the at-home option first. If you aren’t fully satisfied with the results, you can book an appointment to have your teeth whitened even more at the dental clinic.
What Are the Risks of Professional Teeth Whitening?
As with any dental treatment, there are some risks involved with teeth whitening treatments. However, those risks are dramatically lower when you have healthy gums and teeth and access professional teeth whitening through a dentist who specializes in cosmetic dentistry. The risks are much higher with store-bought treatments that don’t require a dentist’s careful evaluation before use.
As long as your teeth are healthy and strong, the most common side effect of professional teeth whitening is minor gum and tooth sensitivity for a short period following the treatment. However, this sensitivity typically only lasts one to two days. However, there may be some additional risk for anyone with sensitive teeth, damaged enamel or other oral health issues.
If you have sensitive teeth or other oral health concerns, discuss them with your dentist before undergoing any teeth whitening to avoid increasing this sensitivity and damaging your enamel.
Is Teeth Whitening Right for Me?
As with any other dental procedure, teeth whitening may not be suitable for everyone. While it is recommended for those with healthy teeth and gums, it is not an ideal choice if you have:
- Veneers
- Composite bonding
- Highly sensitive teeth
- Damaged enamel (Erosion)
If you are unsure whether professional teeth whitening is a good option for you, book an appointment with our North Vancouver dental clinic to discuss the treatment and risks with a dentist.
North Vancouver Teeth Whitening with Peak Dental Arts
If you’ve always wanted whiter teeth and are interested in learning more about our whitening treatment options, contact Peak Dental Arts today. The professional team at our state-of-the-art clinic in North Vancouver will be happy to assist you with all of your cosmetic dentistry and oral health needs. We can explain the pros and cons of the procedure you want and help you decide if it’s best for you.
Call us at 604-980-9999 or fill out our online contact form to make an appointment and get one step closer to the whiter smile of your dreams.
