Teeth Whitening
One of the primary goals of many patients is to have whiter teeth. Teeth can be discolored for a number of reasons – genetics, smoking, food, coffee, and even some types of medicine. While there are many different causes of tooth discoloration, there are also many different methods to whiten discolored teeth.
Many patients consider over the counter tooth whitening procedures. These can include whitening strips, paint on tooth gel, mouth trays with gel, and even whitening toothpaste. Whitening toothpastes typically use abrasives to remove surface stains, and are capable of whitening typically one shade. Whitening strips and gels typically contain hydrogen peroxide, a bleach-like agent that chemically lightens the tooth color. Strips and gels often show results in as few as a few days, but can take months of routine use to obtain the final result, typically a few shades.
Your dentist can perform teeth whitening using a much stronger gel, often with a light-activated agent. Because the dentist is able to protect the rest of the mouth, including the gums and tongue, a significantly stronger formula can be used, resulting in eight to ten shades of lightening in a single application.
For more information on laser dentistry call Blustone Dental at 817-337-0223 or visit the website at http://www.bluestonedental.net.