Choosing the Best Teeth Whitening Treatment for You

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If you feel like your pearly whites are losing their usual luster, you’re might be looking for any quick fix to get those surface stains under control. We don’t blame you. It can be easy to get caught up in all the tempting over-the-counter (OTC) teeth whitening products that are so readily available to us. After all, it is hard to maintain white teeth!

OTC products promise fast results for stained or yellowing teeth. For most people, sipping coffee or soda from a straw, on top of using whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes daily, just doesn’t do the trick. If you are tired of never seeing results from your teeth whitening regimen, it’s best to do a bit of research to find which whitening products can best suit your needs.

Little Heroes Pediatric Dentistry aims to help create healthy, happy smiles in every little hero and big hero alike. Yes, that means we also cater to adults. We offer services that range from specialized orthodontic treatment to in-house teeth whitening. Are you a big hero in need of orthodontic or dental treatment? Give us a call today to one of our three Rio Grande Valley locations to schedule an appointment with our incredible dentists.

There has undoubtedly been an increasing number of teeth whitening products hitting the market in recent years. It can be a headache to find one that works for you. The American Dental Association defines teeth whitening as any process that makes the teeth appear whiter. Whether
through chemical or physical means, teeth whitening aims to remove surface stains to reveal a brighter, more brilliant smile. Click To Tweet 
According to the ADA, there are two major groups of whitening products:

• Peroxide-containing bleaching agents
• Whitening toothpastes

Peroxide-Containing Bleaching Agents

These chemical-based bleaching agents contain carbamide peroxide, a compound that breaks up into hydrogen peroxide and urea. The hydrogen peroxide resulting from this breakdown process acts as an active bleaching agent. These types of bleaching agents are formulated in varying concentrations and can be administered three different ways. One of the methods of administration can be professionally done at a dentist’s office, where the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide can range from 25 to 40 percent. This procedure is generally completed in a one hour session in which the gums are protected by a rubber dental dam or gel. Some patients notice whitening by up to 10 shades.

Whitening bleaches dispensed by a dentist and mild-grade bleaching products that can be purchased OTC for at-home use have the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Click To Tweet 

Products with this seal that use the carbamide peroxide solution are at a concentration of about 10 percent. Other OTC and dentist-dispensed whitening products may use other forms of whitening chemicals or procedures and include whitening trays with gel, bleaching strips, and paint-on materials.

Whitening Toothpastes

You’ve likely seen plenty of toothpastes brands with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. These whitening toothpastes, or dentifrices, typically contain polishing or chemical agents that remove surface stains from the teeth.

As per the ADA, whitening toothpastes work through non-bleaching actions like polishing or chemical chelation. Click To Tweet

Find Out What Works for You

In finding the best teeth whitening solution for you, it’s best to consult with your dentist. ADA recommends picking a bleaching agent or method of teeth whitening under consultation from a dentist. A dentist will be able to designate the best products and method of whitening within an appropriate treatment plan. Patients with prior dental work, including fillings and crowns, would require a thorough dental assessment to determine the best teeth whitening regimen for them.

Severe stains or fillings may not bleach or whiten as readily as regular permanent teeth. If you feel you may have this issues, you and your dentist should discuss finding a possible alternative solution to achieve the desired goal.

Worried about your teeth being too sensitive? Don’t fret. Modern whitening systems, under a dentist’s supervision, can be easily applied to patients with sensitive teeth.

Be a Big Hero Today
When it comes to making healthy, happy smiles, Little Heroes Pediatric Dentistry is here to help our patients at every stage of life. Nobody likes dental checkups, but we promise to make your session worthwhile. So, be a big hero today and call our offices to schedule your appointment!

If teeth whitening is what you’re in need of, we can help determine the best treatment plan to get your pearly whites shining bright in no time at all. We’ve got locations in Laredo, Mission, and San Juan, so you know we are always close to home.