When an individual has a bright, white smile, they can exude youth, happiness, and warmth just through a confident flash of those pearly whites. The reality of our world is that a large part of how society views an individual is based on their smile. In a study conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 99% of adults said that the smile is their most important social asset. If you are looking for professional teeth whitening treatment in the Salt Lake City, UT area, you can find no better than Dr. David Cannon and the Cannon Dental team.
When you can understand the benefits offered by a smile that is whiter than your current shade, you will very likely be deciding to enhance your smile. When it comes to whitening your smile, there are choices to make. You can choose the in-office whitening treatment offered by Dr. Cannon, or you could try any number of over-the-counter options. The purpose of what you are about to read is not to tarnish the image of over-the-counter possibilities because there are situations where these are suitable. We will look at some differences between the two and benefits offered by an in-office whitening that over-the-counter options cannot achieve.
Why Do You Need Teeth Whitening?
Before talking about the difference between whitening options, it is essential to understand why one may need teeth whitening treatments in the first place. In most cases, a whitening treatment is necessary because the individual is unhappy with their teeth’ current shade. Over time teeth can become stained and discolored, even when cared for properly. Teeth can discolor for many reasons, including:
- Food and drink
- Genetics
- Antibiotic use
- Time
Discoloration is widespread in adults, and it is nothing to be ashamed of. In some cases, the discoloration will not be surface level but will be internal instead. Internal discoloration can be caused by:
- Tooth decay
- Issues stemming from a root canal
- Trauma
- Excessive levels of fluoride
- Tetracycline
What Are Some Over The Counter Options?
When you need just a minor, gentle whitening, an over-the-counter option may work. You will see several options available to you, including strips, toothpaste, gels, and bleaching products.
Strips
Strips have the convenience of being able to be worn for a more extended period, subject to the level of staining on the teeth. Limitations include most strips only covering the front six teeth, which leaves your back teeth stained. You will have an uneven whitening.
Gels and Bleaching
These come in a paint-on application or are administered using a mouth tray. These gels typically contain peroxide for whitening. Some disadvantages include the peroxide being potentially dangerous if not used correctly, and you may find that the provided tray does not fit well.
Toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste is one of the most affordable whitening options available. According to dentists, toothpaste’s whitening power is minimal, and they do little more than regular toothpaste and are only effective with minor surface staining.
Why Choose In-Office Whitening Treatments?
There are several reasons to choose an in-office whitening treatment. The most significant advantage is that you will see immediate results after a single treatment. These treatments are very time efficient, usually lasting only an hour, and you can have your teeth whitened by as many as ten shades. That is due to the whitening solution’s strength that dentists can use, which works very quickly and is much more effective than their over-the-counter competition. All bleaching agents used are FDA approved and closely monitored by your dentist when applied.
If you are looking for whiter teeth, call Dr. David Cannon at Cannon Dental today. To schedule an appointment, call (801) 406-9985 today.
