When we ask our patients what they want to improve regarding their smile, the most common response is whiter teeth. In fact, 90% of patients request teeth whitening, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. But first, let’s find out if you’re the right candidate for teeth whitening in Los Angeles.
Brushing and flossing your teeth after every meal is the best way to keep your teeth clean, healthy, and plaque-free. However, if this is already a part of your daily routine and your smile still isn’t as white as you would like, you may want to come into Lasry Dental Clinic to discuss your options.
If you’re thinking about getting your teeth professionally whitened, here are some facts you should know.
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What is Teeth Whitening?
We use professional teeth whitening processes to lighten the original shade of your teeth. There are several ways we can whiten your teeth, but first, let’s figure out why you have discolored teeth in the first place.
There are two types of stains:
- Extrinsic staining: This is “first layer” staining. This type of stain affects your enamel’s outer-most layer, making it the easiest type of stain to correct. Fixing your daily dental routine, seeing your Los Angeles dentist regularly, and even some over-the-counter teeth whitening products can remedy this issue.
- Intrinsic staining: This stain occurs in your tooth’s dentin, which is the inner-most section of your tooth. Because this stain is so deep, you’ll need to contact a professional about teeth whitening in Los Angeles. Some medications can cause this extreme level of tooth discoloration, including chemotherapy treatments. Even prescription-strength mouthwash can cause your teeth to turn brown (usually products containing chlorhexidine).
What Causes Tooth Discoloration?
There are many products responsible for slowly staining your teeth. According to Sheila Samaddar, DDS, president of the District of Columbia Academy of General Dentistry, the most common reason behind tooth discoloration is what we eat and drink, aging, and tooth injuries.
It’s usually a combination of these problems that lead people to search for teeth whitening solutions in Los Angeles.
Food-Drink-Tobacco
Here’s Dr. Lasry’s rule of thumb: If it can stain your clothes, it can stain your teeth.
Drinking too much tea, coffee, dark sodas, juices, and wine can cause your teeth to yellow over time. The color pigment in these products attaches to the white outer part of your teeth (the enamel), causing it to stain your teeth.
It’s the same as with tobacco. There are two chemicals found in tobacco: Tar and nicotine.
These are the two materials responsible for staining your teeth. When nicotine is mixed with oxygen, it turns into a yellowish surface-staining substance. Have you ever lived with someone who smokes? What color were the walls?
Aging:
Dentin is the hard inner part of the tooth that contains a yellowish pulp. As your teeth’ outer layer gets thinner, the inner yellowish part becomes more visible, making your teeth look more yellow.
Trauma:
When the nerve is damaged, your tooth’s pulp dies, causing discoloration of teeth. This usually happens when you chip or crack your tooth or after you’ve been in an accident where your teeth were affected.
Medication:
Believe it or not, using common antibiotics like doxycycline or tetracycline as a child can cause your teeth to change color over time. The use of antipsychotic drugs, antihistamines, or high blood pressure medication may also discolor teeth.
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What are my options to whiten my smile?
Teeth whitening treatment lightens your teeth’ existing shade, removes stains, and makes them bright and whiter. This is often one thing that the majority of people know. However, their information concerning the procedure of teeth whitening sometimes ends here.
At Lasry Dental Clinic, we want our patients to have a basic knowledge of our teeth whitening services. There are different types of teeth whitening procedures available to the public, but too many of them fast and cheap, and terrible for your teeth.
Option #1: Professional Teeth Whitening in Los Angeles
To determine if you are an ideal candidate for teeth whitening, we’ll set up an initial appointment to examine your teeth and gums. This is to analyze the state of your gums and teeth to avoid any issue of post-treatment sensitivity.
Our in-office bleaching procedure is also called “chair-side bleaching.” It might only require a single visit, depending on the color of your teeth. It’s the quickest and most recommended way to whiten your teeth.
Before bleaching teeth, we apply a compound to prevent tooth sensitivity. Then, we’ll use a special gel that is activated by light to speed up the treatment time.
Option #2: At-Home Bleaching
Primarily there are two ways to bleach your teeth at home:
- A custom-made tray from your dentist
- Over the counter products
Custom- Made Tray
Dr. Lasry provides custom trays for his patients for at-homeprofessional teeth whitening. Our kits contain a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide gel that gives you quicker, practical, and effective results. You wear the trays overnight until you achieve your desired results. We’ll help you determine the length of time after your initial consultation.
Another advantage of purchasing trays and gels from your dentist is that they are customized precisely for your teeth. This helps you to avoid any issues and contraindications.
After your procedure, you may have increased sensitivity in your teeth. This will pass within a few days. Switching to a sensitive toothpaste can help to protect your teeth. You should also avoid food and drink that can stain your teeth, such as coffee or tomato sauce.
OTC Bleaching Kits
Over the counter teeth whitening trays only come in general size. Because these trays may not fit your teeth, the bleach may come into contact with your gums, which can cause irritation.
It also takes longer to attain the desired result from the whitening trays purchased from OTC.
Teeth Whitening Toothpaste or Strips
Teeth whitening strips or toothpaste are available in every drug store across the nation at a reasonable price. It helps to remove surface stains on teeth and makes your teeth a little whiter. However, these are not as effective as getting your teeth professionally lightened at your dentist’s office because they contain low-grade whitening materials.
Teeth Whitening in Los Angeles: Is It Permanent?
Teeth lightening isn’t permanent. The teeth whitening effect’s duration depends on how much you’ve exposed your teeth to foods that cause staining. The time it takes to see teeth whitening effects varies from person to person. For the best and reliable result, follow up with a regular appointment with Dr. Lasry.
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Is it worth to get your teeth whitened professionally?
Teeth whitening under the supervision of a professional is completely safe and the most effective. For professional long-lasting and safe results visiting the Dental clinic definitely worth the extra cost.
The products you will find in the store won’t give you the results you expect, and they tend to be messy. These over the counter teeth whitening products also won’t work if you have intrinsic staining.
Your best plan of action is to book an appointment with Dr. Lasry. He’ll tell you your best option for teeth whitening. You may only need to update your dental regimen to get that white smile you’ve always wanted!
