What is Take-Home Teeth Whitening?
As we age, our teeth naturally darken as they become stained and discoloured, both inside the tooth and on the surface. Many factors can cause the discolouration of your teeth, including foods and beverages like coffee and red wine, smoking, and accidents.
Take-home custom teeth whitening treatments from your dentist can offer a way to whiten and brighten your smile in the comfort and convenience of your home. This simple, non-invasive process can change the colour of your natural teeth by targeting and removing stains.
The team at Summit Dental can help you determine if whitening your teeth at home is right for you.
Teeth Whitening That Fits Your Lifestyle
Our goal is to help you achieve a whiter, brighter smile, your way. That's why we offer a personalized process you can do at home to be on your way to a lighter smile!
Uses for Teeth Whitening
Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you. Having a brighter smile may help to boost your confidence and self-esteem.
Additionally, taking care of your oral health can have an impact on your overall health and well-being.
How does take-home teeth whitening work?
Our custom-made take-home teeth whitening kits contain a professional-grade, peroxide-based gel in teeth whitening treatments. This gel breaks down stain molecules, which can result in a whiter, brighter-looking smile. The peroxide gel is non-toxic, non-allergenic, and safe to use as directed.
Different shades of white suit different people. Your dental professional can help you choose the right shade for your teeth during a consultation appointment.
The Take-Home Teeth Whitening Process
You can achieve a whiter and brighter smile at home by following our at-home whitening process, which can yield similar results over a longer period of time versus coming to our office for treatment.
If you choose our take-home whitening option, your dentist create impressions of your mouth and make custom whitening trays.
You apply a professional-grade, peroxide-based whitening gel to these trays and wear them according to the directions for use. At the end of the treatment period, you may notice that your teeth appear visibly whiter and that stains are less dark.
At our Kamloops practice, our dentists are always available to answer your questions about teeth whitening, from what to expect to how it compares with other restoration options like crowns. We can also let you know when whitening might be recommended as part of a full-mouth restoration to enhance your smile’s look and function.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Read the answers to our most frequently asked questions about at-home teeth whitening at Summit Dental.
- How long do the effects of teeth whitening last?
Whitening is not permanent. Beverages such as coffee and wine, and certain foods, such as those that contain turmeric, can stain the teeth. Depending on diet, the effects of whitening may last longer for some people than others. If you maintain a healthy oral hygiene routine, you may just desire a touch-up after one year or so.
- Does insurance cover the cost of teeth whitening?
Dental insurance does not typically cover the cost of teeth whitening.
- Does teeth whitening make teeth more sensitive?
One short-term side effect of teeth whitening may be sensitivity. For most patients, this fades away within a few days following a whitening. To minimize any discomfort, we recommend that you use an anti-sensitivity toothpaste before treatment, and for at least two weeks following your treatment.
- Do teeth whitening products work on all stains?
Typically, brown, and yellow-coloured stains respond best to teeth whitening treatments. Some stains tend not to respond to whitening treatments at all. If having a whiter smile is important to you but your teeth have non-responsive stains, your dentist may recommend other cosmetic treatments such as dental crowns or veneers that may be a better fit for you.
- Does teeth whitening work on dental restorations?
Unfortunately not. Teeth whitening only works on natural teeth and will not work on existing dental restorations such as dental crowns or veneers. If crowns or veneers are part of your treatment plan, teeth whitening should take place before you receive your dental restorations.
- Will teeth whitening damage my tooth enamel?
When used under the supervision of a dentist, teeth whitening is very unlikely to damage your dental enamel. Always consult with your dentist to ensure you are using any teeth whitening products safely. If you experience any pain, sensitivity, or discomfort anywhere in your mouth, let your dentist know right away. Even if it’s not related to whitening, they will be able to help.
