whitening Archives - Harbour Place Dental

Essential Teeth Whitening Kit Information

June 17, 2015 By HarbourPLaceDental

Teeth whitening kits contain chemicals that seep into the stains and remove them without causing any damage to your dental structure. The most common chemicals in these kits are usually a form of peroxide- either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.

Most manufacturers have an array of whitening products with various concentrations of these peroxides. Gentle action whitening kits have less peroxide (about 3-5%) and take longer to work than the professional or advanced strength kits (5% plus)

Teeth whitening kits are either:

• Bleaching kits such as whitening strips and whitening trays or
• Abrasive kits such as whitening toothpastes and electric toothbrushes.

Bleaching kits can handle stains both on a surface level and those within the deeper layers of the tooth, while abrasive kits are effective only for surface stains.

Where to buy teeth whitening kits?

Teeth whitening kits can be purchased over-the-counter in your local grocery store, a drug store or online. When it comes to the cost of home teeth whitening kits, prices range from $10-20 for whitening tooth pastes and bleaching kits to $35-50 for teeth whitening strips. Simple peroxide-based mouthwashes can be purchased for about $10 for a 32 fluid ounce bottle.

How to store your teeth whitening kit at home?

For a whitening product to be truly effective it is important to store it properly at home. Home whitening kits should be stored in a cool area of your house at room temperature. Avoid placing your kit in an area of the house where it’s very hot or in direct sunlight. Suitable storage areas include your bedroom closet or a bathroom or kitchen cabinet. You should definitely never store your whitening kit in the freezer.
Most whitening kits have just enough product substance for a single course of treatment and so you should use the whole kit. However if you only use part of the kit, toothpaste or mouthwash, it’s best to discard it after about 6 months and buy a new product if you want to start whitening your teeth again.

For more information or make an appointment contact us at (425) 493-8111 or contact us through our website www.HarbourPlaceDental.com

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Home Whitening vs In-Office Treatments: Which is Better?

June 8, 2015 By HarbourPLaceDental

Home Whitening vs. In-Office Treatments: Which is Better? #Mukilteo WA Dentist

Overhead view of dental whitening trays and gel tubes on aged wood

One of the dilemmas most people face when they want to achieve a whiter smile is choosing between a do-it-yourself home whitening plan or a professional in-office treatment at the dentist’s. They often wonder which one is better so let’s look at the facts behind each option.

Strength:
• Home Whitening Treatments have an average of 3% peroxide levels so they require continual use over 2-4 weeks to achieve a whiter smile. Because of this, home treatments usually work best on mildly stained yellow teeth.

• Dentists have access to professional strength teeth whiteners with 15-43% peroxide levels meaning that you can have your teeth whiter in about 1 hour. In addition, dentist can use additional laser and light treatments that will zap out the worst of dark brown and grey stains.

Customization:
• Most home bleaching kits have a generic mouth piece as part of the whitening tray. Unfortunately this one size may not fit you very well since everyone has a different dental structure. This means that some of the bleaching agent could land on your gums and cause irritation.
• Your dentist can create a customized mouth piece just for you by taking an exact mold of your teeth. This provides a better fit and improves bleaching results

Protection:
• Home kits don’t usually come with protective products or tools so your gums and oral cavity is exposed to bleaching agents.
• With an in-office treatment, your dentist will apply a protective gel or install a rubber shield to protect your gums and oral cavity so that they don’t get affected by the bleaching agents

Cost:
• Home whitening kits are much more affordable, putting you back by no more than $50-60. They are definitely best for a gentle whitening plan but will not work for badly stained teeth.
• In-office treatments are more expensive with sessions costing $400-500. However they are the better option if you have very badly stained teeth that a home kit cannot get rid of.

For more information or setting up an appointment Call us at (425) 493-8111 and/or visit our website at http://www.HarbourPlaceDental.com

Common FAQ About Teeth Whitening

May 28, 2015 By HarbourPLaceDental

Closeup of dentist examining young woman’s teeth

How long will my teeth remain white after treatment?

If your teeth are properly whitened, you should be able to maintain a pearly white smile for about 1 year before considering going for another touch up. However, it is important to avoid the root causes of teeth discoloration by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If you want you teeth to stay white longer, then cut back on coffee, tea, dark wines, colas and colored processed foods. And whenever you do partake of these, remember to rinse out your mouth immediately with water, brush your teeth or eat a crunchy fruit or vegetable like an apple, celery stick or carrot stick.

How much does it cost?

Well, teeth whitening can be both cheap and expensive. It all depends on your budget, the condition of your teeth and what kind of results you want to get. Home kits and products can cost from $6-40, while a visit to your dentist for a whitening treatment can cost about $400-500 per session. Home kits are cheap but the results take time to see, while a dental visit can get you a pearly white smile in less than an hour and successfully whiten even the worst of dark stained teeth.

What are the best products to use?

There are lots of whitening products on the market and it’s often confusing on what’s best. Basically look for well-known brand name products and find out what other consumers are saying about their experience with the product. If in doubt, consult your dentist who will advise you on the best products for your teeth.

Do I need to visit my dentist or can I whiten my teeth at home?

Either option is alright but in certain cases, a trip to the dentist will do you well. If you have had dental problems in the past or have fillings, veneers, crowns or braces, then you definitely need to consult your dentist. Also if you have very dark brown stains or your tooth appears to be gray, then home treatments will not whiten your teeth much and you will need in-office treatment. Finally, the dentist route is best if you want quick results, but if you have the patience to wait things out, you can do it at home.

Will teeth whitening treatments damage my teeth?

If used correctly, no. Tests have shown that the 10% peroxide level doesn’t damage your teeth enamel or any dental work such as fillings or crowns. The only effects are tooth sensitivity which usually disappears after a few days.

When will I see results?

If you use home whitening products then you should see results after 2-4 weeks. If you choose a professional treatment at your dentist’s office, your teeth should be whiter in 45minutes to 1 hour. However if your teeth are badly stained, you may need to attend another teeth whitening session.

Come to Harbour Place Dental in Mukilteo with your questions and concerns and we will be happy to give you our best evaluation and advice.

Are Teeth Whitening Kits Safe?

May 23, 2015 By HarbourPLaceDental

Overhead view of dental whitening trays and gel tubes on aged wood

As with all commercially successful medical products, many people question whether teeth whitening kits are safe. Indeed, there have been questions such as:

• Have the national health authorities certified them as safe for human use?
• Do they have long-term risks such as cancer?
• Do they do your teeth more harm than good, stripping away the tooth enamel?
• Should they really be available to “uneducated” masses for home use or only used by licensed professionals?

Certification
The American Dental Association has approved a variety of professional bleaching products that are applied in-office by dentists or are dispensed by them for home-use. They don’t endorse over-the-counter bleaching products because the prefer people to seek professional advice for reasons of effectiveness and safety. However they have approved certain over-the-counter teeth whitening toothpastes. Though you may want to look out for products with the ADA seal, remember that just because a product does not have the seal, does not mean it is not safe or effective. This is because the process of manufacturers getting a seal from the ADA is voluntary.

With regards to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) certification, teeth whiteners are not classified as drug so the FDA has no say in their regulation.

Teeth Whitening Safety Tips

Do your research before purchasing a teeth whitening product. For example, look out for the ADA Seal of Acceptance; find out what other people are saying about the product in consumer groups, product reviews, testimonials etc. Try to look for objective information from a number of unbiased sources, instead of just the company’s marketing material.
Consult Your Dentist– this is really the first step that can save you a lot of time and trouble in the long run. Your dentist can recommend the best treatment plan based on your dental history and even create customized solutions for you such as a made-to-fit mouth piece.
Go with Trusted Brands– if you are in your local store and really want to purchase a teeth whitening product, stick to one from a trusted brand that has a long history in oral care and has a wide range of oral care products. You definitely don’t want to choose a product from a company no-one has ever heard about.
Follow the Directions – to really be on the safe side, you want to follow the directions for use exactly as described in the instructions. In this way, you will achieve the desired results without any nasty consequences as compared to using short-cuts.

For any questions call us or make an appointment for a friendly consultation. At Harbour Place Dental in Mukilteo WA we will be very happy to discuss various options with you.

Three Tips To A Successful Teeth Whitening Program

May 21, 2015 By HarbourPLaceDental

Here are 3 tips to ensure you have a successful teeth whitening program:

1. Consult a Dentist

The number one tip is to first consult your dentist before engaging in a treatment plan. Although it’s easy and cheap to use home whitening kits, a trip to the dentist could save you problems and money in the long run. He can:

Recommend the best DIY Whitening Kits
Advice you how to whiten your teeth if you have veneers, fillings and crowns.
Advice you if you need a professional in-office treatment, especially if you have dark stains or need immediate results
Treat any gum inflammation or tooth sensitivity issues that are a common problem with teeth whitening procedures.
He can prepare a special home-whitening kit just for you that have a custom-made tooth mold.

2. Use Gentle Products

If you decide to use home whitening kits, then it is best to choose a gentle product. Even though they may take several weeks to take effect, you will have fewer problems with inflamed gums and sensitive teeth. In addition, use the products in the recommended manner. For example, if the instructions tell you to place the whitening strips on your teeth for 30 minutes just follow the directions and don’t think you will whiten your teeth better by leaving them on for 3 hours or overnight. The wrong application of these products will only leave you in pain and you will regret the experience.

3. Avoid Overuse

It is easy to become obsessed with a whiter smile and continually use whitening products even after your teeth have changed color. If you have used a product and it has achieved its results within the recommended time frame, then stop using the product. Excessive use of teeth whiteners strips away the delicate tooth enamel and causes painful tooth sensitivity that makes eating or drinking hot or cold foods and drinks a nightmare.

If you have any questions call us or make an appointment for a friendly consultation. We will be very happy to discuss various options with you.

For more information or make an appointment contact us at (425) 493-8111 or contact us through our website www.HarbourPlaceDental.com

If you found this post informative please like and share it with your friends. Thanks.

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