Do you wish there was a way to whiten your smile? You’re not alone. Many of our patients ask about teeth whitening so they can smile with confidence at work, school, and in pictures. For the best results, our Troy, MI, cosmetic dentists encourage you to schedule a consultation so we can listen to your concerns and examine your teeth to confirm there are no other pressing health issues that need to be treated prior to whitening.
Here are 5 ways you can achieve a whiter smile in (or out) of the dentist’s office.
How Can I Remove Stains From My Teeth?
While you can buy over-the-counter whitening products, they won’t give you the same lasting results as at-home trays, , or in-office whitening procedures. For example, you can use GLO at home to whiten teeth by several shades within a week. Custom teeth whitening trays from our dentists are also much more comfortable than anything you could buy at the store.
Prefer to come into our Troy, MI, dental office? No problem! We can give you an immediate boost by applying a light-activated gel to your teeth and using a special light or laser to enhance the action of the ingredients in the gel. The whole teeth whitening process should only take about an hour of your time.
1. Go Easy on Staining Foods & Beverages
Did you know that your daily cup of coffee could be contributing to ? There are certain types of foods and beverages likely to stain your teeth which include coffee, tea, red wine, tomato sauce, and berries. That’s because they contain intensely pigmented compounds called chromogens which stick to tooth enamel. In order to enjoy a whiter smile, it may help to eat or drink less of these “offenders”.
If that seems downright impossible for you, you can start by focusing on not letting the stain sit on your teeth for a long period of time. Brushing or rinsing that cup of coffee away can put a damper on the unwanted transformation of your smile. Our dentists can also speak with you about professional teeth whitening and how that treatment could help you achieve a desired shade. For severe discoloration, we may even recommend porcelain veneers.
2. Choose to Brush With Whitening Toothpaste
There is no shortage of whitening toothpastes at your local grocery store. Whether you want to stick with your preferred brand of toothpaste or try out a new formula for sensitive teeth, your options are limitless. Whitening toothpaste is great for the slight tooth discoloration that can happen over time.
3. Opt for In-Office Teeth Whitening
Some prefer the office environment and the trained eyes of our dentists monitoring the entire process while others wish to whiten their teeth at their own pace at home. Both choices are perfectly fine!
However, if you’re someone who admires the convenience of at-home options but still prefers faster, potentially longer-lasting results, in-office teeth whitening may be the right direction to take. Consider your lifestyle, budget, and how quickly you want to see results when choosing between teeth whitening treatments.
Advantages of in-office teeth whitening include:
- Quick results after one trip to our office
- Supervision by our dentists ensures no accidental gum irritation
- Relatively quick procedure
- Stronger whitening gel
4. Try Custom Whitening Trays
Whitening trays from the supermarket are large, bulky, and uncomfortable. This is why we offer made from your dental impressions. During your appointment, we’ll take impressions of your teeth and gums and send them to the lab. The lab then uses these impressions to make trays that fit comfortably over your teeth. Custom whitening trays pack a more powerful punch than whitening strips and toothpaste alone.
5. Ask About GLO Whitening
Our office offers , an innovative way to dramatically improve the whiteness of your smile. GLO stands for Guided Light Optics. The GLO device uses both light and warming heat to accelerate the whitening process, giving you the gorgeous smile you’ve always wanted.
First, you’ll need to charge your GLO device so it’ll be ready. Many patients charge their GLO devices while they’re gone at work so they can whiten teeth in the evening.
Once your GLO device is charged, apply the GLO Lip Treatment. Next, you’ll need to remove the cap off the GLO Vial and apply the gel to the fronts of your teeth with the brush applicator. Use about half a pea-sized glob for your entire mouth. (A little goes a long way.)
You may use GLO Vials on their own if you’re in a hurry. The gel is designed to penetrate teeth and evaporate once it’s done whitening. Yet, we recommend using the GLO device with the Vial for the best results. Turn on your GLO device by pressing the button on the Power Pack or in the GLO Whitening app. Then, insert the mouthpiece to start whitening your smile.
After 8 minutes, the GLO device will automatically turn off. For the best results, follow up with two more whitening sessions. GLO Science recommends that you complete 3 sessions a day for an entire week or until you’re happy with the whiteness of your smile. While GLO teeth whitening has a higher start-up cost than other methods, it also gives you fast results from the comfort of your own home.
Other Teeth Whitening Options
As mentioned above, we may recommend veneers for stains that go beyond the surface of tooth enamel. For example, some patients may have deep pitting in their enamel from severe fluorosis. Each patient is different, which is why we recommend you schedule a consultation with one of our dentists. They’ll be able to help you explore your teeth whitening options, so you can make the best decision for your smile. We may even recommend dental bonding for a small stain.
Make an Appointment
Our teeth whitening dentists in Troy, MI, can help you accomplish the look you’ve been wanting. To request an appointment for professional teeth whitening, call Mosaic Dental today at (248) 528-2270.
This blog post has been updated.
Teeth Whitening