Bright White Smile

Many patients desire whiter teeth. There are a few things to keep in mind before deciding if you should whiten your teeth and which whitening products are the best for you.

Before beginning a whitening regiment, patients should have an exam to ensure there are no underlying dental conditions. Gum disease, gum recession, dental restorations and age can all influence whether whitening is good choice for you.

The three options for whitening include in office, prescription strength trays that you wear at home and over the counter. In office whitening is the fastest and can lighten your teeth in just a few hours. Sensitivity and over whitening are more common with in office whitening. Prescription strength whitening trays are typically done over the period of a few weeks. It allows patients to fine tune the amount of whitening they receive and typically there is less sensitivity than in office whitening. Over the counter whitening also allows a gradual whitening and like prescription strength trays there is generally reduced sensitivity.

We encourage you to consult with your dentist before starting any whitening regiment.