Does Bleaching Damage Your Teeth?
There are various types of stains on teeth, and different ways to prevent and remove them. Superficial stains that exist on the surfaces of teeth can usually be removed by using toothpaste and brushing regularly. At Advanced Dentistry by Design, we recommend using a Sonicare(R) Toothbrush twice daily, which significantly removes surface stains.
If stains are tenacious, they may need to be removed by your hygienist. Embedded stains are discolorations that have soaked into your teeth. The two worst examples are tobacco and coffee stains. Toothpastes and professional cleanings won’t remove these. They require a professional whitening treatment in which a peroxide gel is allowed to soak into your teeth for a period of time. During this procedure, the gel releases oxygen inside the tooth, which chemically bleaches the stain and eliminates it.
Structural stains are those that are present when the tooth was formed such as tetracycline stains (antibiotic) and fluorosis (consuming too much fluoride). These are a part of your tooth structure and need to be covered with bonding or porcelain veneers. Whitening toothpastes are generally ineffective at permanently whitening teeth because the toothpaste in not on the teeth long enough. Penetration is what is required for significant whitening.
At Advanced Dentistry by Design we use the Sinsational Smile(R) whitening method. This procedure includes the use of an LED accelerating light that helps to activate the gel’s whitening ingredients at a faster rate, resulting in a brighter smile and whiter teeth in less time. As part of your procedure, you will also receive a take-home maintenance pen to further extend your new brighter smile.
Teeth whitening is a safe and effective method to enhance your overall appearance. All whitening procedures work best on natural, healthy teeth and should not be used by people with poor oral health, active decay, or anyone advised by their dentist not to have their teeth whitened. Please contact our office, Advanced Dentistry by Design, for further information (775) 400-2533. We look forward to helping you achieve the brighter, whiter, smile that you desire!