There is nothing more healthy and refreshing than a bright, white smile. Many of our patients ask us about whitening their teeth. There is a lot of confusing information out there, hoaxes and gimmicks like charcoal, kaolin clay and fruit peels. The first step is to limit staining foods and beverages such as coffee, red wine, soda and dark berries. You don’t have to avoid them, just limit the amount of time they are in contact with your teeth. The second is to practice good oral hygiene by regular brushing and flossing to reduce bacteria in your mouth and prevent plaque build up. Regular dental cleanings are critical to remove the film coating on your teeth, tartar and calculus which can’t be removed by brushing or flossing. The third is to have a professional whitening treatment. We recommend the at home regimen and love the ultradent opalescence system. We have a kit of 10 upper and 10 lower trays of 10% hydrogen peroxide that molds directly to the teeth and is left in the mouth for 30-60 minutes. We can also make custom trays for your teeth and deliver a kit using carbamide peroxide anywhere from 30 minutes a day to overnight for a more extensive at home bleach. Once you have the trays you can purchase syringes to boost or further the treatment in the comfort of your home. We can also apply it in the office as a boost. These all have potassium nitrite and fluoride to reduce sensitivity. There are many ways to a brighter smile. Talk to us to see which one is right for you.
