Your Ultimate Guide to Teeth Whitening in Cheltenham
Maybe you’re looking at photos from this past weekend and noticing that your teeth aren’t nearly as white as your best friend’s.
They just aren’t as bright as they could be. Stains can feel impossible to avoid, too, since everything from tea to a glass of wine at dinner can cause them.
And you can’t eliminate them with your usual toothpaste and floss. Enter teeth whitening! But how do you make sense of all the options?
Here’s your guide from Captivate Dental on how to get your whitest and brightest smiles.
Types of Whitening
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure done to achieve teeth that are six to ten shades whiter than your natural ones.
There are two major categories of tooth whitening products – over-the-counter products that are used at home and dentist-managed products applied in a dental office or prepared in a dental office and used at home. Let’s begin with over-the-counter treatments.
Over-the-counter Treatments
Whitening toothpaste. These are the simplest but also the least useful whitening tool.
According to the world-famous Mayo Clinic, they only remove surface stains, using abrasives that polish the teeth and chemicals that dissolve or break down stains.
They do not include bleaching agents, which is what more successful whitening approaches use.
Whitening pens/gels. Whitening pens and gels can have some effect on stains, but they come with disadvantages. First, they are not as effective as other whitening approaches.
But, more importantly, they can lead to irritation and burns if not used very carefully. Many people notice a peculiar taste with gels and whitening pens.
The low concentrations of bleach also mean that these products work slowly.
Whitening strips. You peel off the back of a strip, revealing the bleaching element beneath, and then stick these strips to your teeth.
These require a large time commitment, and eating is impossible while they are in place, while speaking is a difficulty.
They are also a one-size-fits-all approach – and as everyone’s teeth are different sized and slightly differently shaped, the non-adjustable shape of the strip can lead to areas that are not treated.
These strips are also short and typically only go on the front teeth, creating an unattractive shift in colour between the front and back teeth.
These over-the-counter treatments are more difficult, dangerous, and less effective than procedures supervised by your Cheltenham dentist.
Take-Home Whitening from Captivate Dental
Take-home whitening from Captivate Dental combines the efficiency and safety of in-office whitening with the convenience of doing your whitening at home.
We create a mould of your teeth, which is then used to manufacture customised trays that precisely fit your teeth. For your safety, the trays are trimmed at the gum line to keep your gums safe from the bleaching agent.
You take the trays and whitening gel home, where you apply them for about 15 minutes daily for about 10 days. These numbers may change depending on how badly your teeth are stained and your lifestyle.
Your teeth may lighten between 6 and 10 shades as a result of your treatment. With take-home whitening, you must not consume any food or drink containing strong colours (e.g. red wine, colas, coffee, and tea). Smoking is also forbidden.
But regardless of which approach you choose, by receiving your whitening from Captivate Dental, you ensure optimal results, safety, and convenience. If you would like whiter, brighter teeth, give us a call today to schedule your teeth whitening consultation!
Dental Care at Home
Daily Brushing and Flossing
To avoid damaging your gums, use a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth for two minutes. You may also use an electric toothbrush that utilises sonic waves to clean teeth. Also, be sure to floss daily.
Use Regular, Fluoride-Enhanced Toothpaste
So-called whitening toothpaste does not remove discolouration but rather contains polishing agents that are corrosive to tooth enamel. Fluoride mouthwashes can help keep the teeth clean.
Fluoride fastens tooth enamel to increase the durability and smoothness of teeth. This makes it easier to eliminate plaque, calculus, and tooth decay.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Teeth cleaning can keep your teeth free of plaque and calculus, which can cause discolouration and staining.
Avoid Foods That Stain Your Teeth
Teeth are vulnerable to harsh chemicals and can absorb those substances when they come into contact with them.
Quit Smoking Or Using Other Tobacco Products
The tar in tobacco sticks to the surfaces of the teeth. It directly stains the enamel, makes it more difficult to clean teeth, and aids plaque build-up and calculus formation.
All of these practices can help you get your whitest and brightest natural smile.
Complete Dental Care at Captivate Dental!
Captivate Dental is conveniently located in Cheltenham near Brighton (near Kingston City Hall and Cheltenham Station).
We provide the highest quality care and enable patients to make informed choices. Our competent, caring staff offers value through excellent diagnostic skills and effective use of the best quality materials.
Captivate Dental provides a wide variety of preventative and cosmetic dental treatments for kids, seniors, and everyone in between!
For more information, call us on (03) 9553 1249. Visit us on the web, or use our convenient online booking page.
We are located at 36 Chesterville Road in Cheltenham.
