We all have some things we’d like to change about ourselves. When it comes to our smiles, many of us would love to have a brighter, whiter smile. Luckily, this is something that can be accomplished with the help of your dentist in Rockford. Teeth whitening treatment is a great option for you if you have stained, dull or discolored teeth. Teeth whitening can be used to reverse effects of aging or stains from food or tobacco.
You have a couple of options when looking to whiten your smile. First, you can use teeth whitening trays. You can purchase these from your dentist, and this is done at-home. You fill the trays with a gel, and you wear them for short periods of time. With this procedure, it can take between a couple of days to a couple of weeks to achieve the desired effect, depending on the needs of your smile. If you choose this option, you will receive trays that are customized to fit your teeth to avoid any irritation to your gums.
Another option would be an in-office whitening treatment. Your dentist would apply a bleaching agent to your teeth, and a special laser light is directed at the coated teeth to expedite the process. This is achieved in a single session at the dentist, so you will see the results much more quickly.
Both of these options are very effective in whitening your teeth. If you prefer to brighten your smile in the comfort of your home, then whitening trays might be more appealing to you. However, if you are looking for quicker results, you might want to choose to stop in to see your dentist and have the procedure done at the office. If you choose to undergo an in-office procedure, it is important to follow the after-care instructions that you will receive. This includes abstaining from eating or drinking anything expect water for at least an hour after the treatment. Also, you should avoid any tooth-staining foods for 24-48 hours.
If you are considering teeth whitening, you should consult your dentist in Rockford to explore your options and treatment plans. Your dentist can evaluate your smile and ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy enough to go through the bleaching process.
No matter what you decide, you can take steps on your own to prevent future staining. This includes consistently following your brushing and flossing routine, using a straw to minimize contact between your teeth and the drinks you consume, and rinsing after you eat. When deciding what to eat or drink, it is best to stay away from ones that do stain your teeth. These may include coffee, tea, soda, wine, grape or cranberry juice, blueberries, beets, soy sauce and tomato sauce. You can still enjoy these foods and drinks but it is also a good idea to brush your teeth afterwards. Also, smoking and chewing tobaccos contribute to staining your teeth. Some foods that help prevent tooth stains are apples, carrots, celery, cauliflower and hard cheeses.
If you feel that these options are out of your price range, you may consider teeth whitening kits that you can buy at your local drugstore. These over-the-counter whitening strips and gels are usually applied twice a day for 30 minutes for 14 days. Other kits may require you to wear the strips for 2 hours every couple months. Results desired may take a longer time to get to and may not last as long. However, you will see differences in your teeth within a couple days and it is a cheaper option.
