Teeth Whitening In Edmonton

The Truth About Teeth Whitening

In most cases, the natural color of teeth ranges from light greyish-yellow shades. Teeth naturally darken with age, and their appearance can be affected by the accumulation of surface stains acquired from the use of tobacco products and the consumption of certain foods or drinks.

Additionally, the perception of the color of teeth is influenced by skin tone and makeup. Regardless of the actual color of their teeth, people with darker skin or those who use dark makeup may appear to have brighter teeth.

Surface Whiteners

These products use special abrasives to improve the product’s ability to remove surface stains. Most products in this category are either toothpastes or chewing gums. Because the special abrasives in these whitening products are often only finer versions of what is used in regular toothpastes, they are unlikely to cause excessive tooth wear. However, the effectiveness of these products is limited to surface stains and should not be used as a substitute for professional cleaning.

Bleaches

Most bleaching products are peroxide-based and are capable of altering the colors of the tooth itself. However, not all tooth discolorations respond to tooth-bleaching treatments. Individuals contemplating tooth-bleaching should consult with a dentist to determine the cause of the tooth discoloration and whether a bleaching treatment will have the desired result. This step is especially important for patients with fillings, root canal treatments, crowns, and/or extremely dark stains on the anterior teeth.

Brighten Your Smile

Although teeth are not naturally meant to be completely white, many Canadians want a brighter smile. Responding to this desire, a wide range of “whitening” options has become available to consumers. These products fall into two main categories: surface whiteners and bleaches.

It should be noted that claims related to tooth whitening are seen as cosmetic by Health Canada. These claims must be accurate, so as not to mislead the public. However, the regulator tolerates some puffery or exaggeration. As a consequence, the results of whitening treatment may not be as convincing as consumers originally expected.

Bleaching Techniques

A number of different bleaching techniques and products are available to patients. Stringham Dentistry in Edmonton, Alberta, uses these methods to whiten your teeth:

• Vital Bleaching: This is done on “living” teeth and can be used to whiten your teeth if they have become stained by food or tobacco or have darkened with age.
• Non-Vital Bleaching: This is done on teeth that are no longer “alive.” If your tooth has changed color because of a root canal, non-vital bleaching can lighten your tooth from the inside out.

Stringham Dentistry May Suggest:

• Putting a special bleach on your stained teeth and using heat (or heat and light) to start the bleaching action.
• Wearing a custom-made mouthguard filled with a special bleach for part of each day.
• Brushing with a special bleach mixed in toothpaste.

Bleaching should be done only under a dentist’s care. Tooth-bleaching under controlled dental office conditions may be safe and effective, but the new in-office vital tooth-bleaching techniques, particularly those using laser and lights, have undergone little scientific assessment.

Home-Use Bleaching

Home-use tooth-bleaching systems are available to the general public, either from a dentist or from various retail outlets. Clinical studies support the safety and effectiveness of home-use bleaching gels when used appropriately. Tooth sensitivity and irritation to soft tissues can occur during bleaching treatment, but these effects are transient. However, the effects of long-term tooth-bleaching are unknown and need to be researched, especially since the effect is not permanent and many individuals undergo periodic bleaching treatments.

Custom Whitening Solutions at Stringham Dentistry

At Stringham Dentistry, we offer custom whitening trays and the advanced Pola Lights system to help you achieve a brighter smile. Our professional-grade products are designed to deliver superior results compared to over-the-counter options.

Biolase Whitening Technology

We utilize Biolase technology for an enhanced whitening experience. Biolase uses advanced laser and light technology to accelerate the whitening process, providing faster and more effective results. This method is safe, efficient, and minimizes sensitivity.

50-Minute Whitening Appointment

Our custom whitening treatments are designed for convenience and effectiveness. Schedule a 50-minute appointment to experience our state-of-the-art whitening solutions, including the use of Biolase technology, for a dazzling smile.