Cosmetic Dentistry | How Do Tooth Whitening Products Work?

Are you looking for an easy and inexpensive way to brighten and whiten your smile? Many at home products, like toothpastes and whitening strips, can lighten the shade of your teeth. All toothpastes contain mild abrasives that remove stains from the surface of your teeth. Some toothpastes also contain a product that will polish and remove additional stains from your teeth. However, toothpastes tend to lack a bleaching agent, like hydrogen peroxide, and cannot make a drastic change.

If you are looking for more drastic results than a whitening toothpaste can offer, you might consider an over-the-counter product. These products contain a bleaching agent like hydrogen peroxide so they can remove both surface stains and stains deep within your teeth. Typically, however, these products will contain far less hydrogen peroxide than a treatment plan from your dentist.

Typically, whitening toothpastes and at home products will lighten your teeth by about one shade. Treatments through your dentist have he ability to lighten your teeth by three to eight shades, depending on how severe your tooth staining is. If you are considering a teeth whitening system, you should know that teeth replacements will not bleach. Replacements like crowns, veneers, and bonding will not whiten like your natural teeth will. Additionally, you may experience some tooth sensitivity while going through treatment.

Before choosing a teeth whitening product or system, Dr. Parkes and the team at Periodontal Associate of Jackson, highly recommend consulting your Jackson, MS dentist.