Teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic procedure in the United States. In fact, up to 80 percent of American adults want whiter teeth. The reasons for wanting whiter teeth vary, but it all comes down to wanting to be more comfortable in their smiles.
There are many products on the market that promise to help those who want whiter, brighter teeth. From toothpaste to mouthwash to little strips of plastic, over-the-counter whitening options are widely available. Furthermore, dentists offer several types of teeth whitening services.
How is anyone supposed to choose how to get the smile of their dreams? The best first step is to understand how teeth whitening products work. When you know the basic mechanisms, you can make an informed decision that’s right for you.
Are Yellow Teeth Unhealthy?
Despite popular belief, yellowing teeth is not necessarily a sign of an unhealthy mouth. In extreme cases, discolored teeth can be a sign of an underlying oral health issue. However, it’s most often a sign of a well-lived life.
Many normal parts of life can cause teeth to become discolored, including drinking certain beverages and eating certain foods. Even if you were to consume only non-staining food and drink, never smoke, and practice perfect oral hygiene every day, you could still have more dull teeth as you age.
Because yellowing teeth is a natural sign of aging, whitening treatments can make you look younger. Most importantly, they can give you confidence that makes you shine from the inside out.
How Do Teeth Whitening Products Work?
All teeth whitening products use one of two solutions to remove stains: hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. That’s right, whether you go to the dentist for a one-hour, in-office appointment or buy something from your local grocery store, it will most likely contain one of those ingredients.
Both hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide have been shown to lift stains from teeth safely and effectively. The key difference is how long they last. Hydrogen peroxide stops whitening after about 30 minutes. Carbamide peroxide can keep removing stains for a full six hours.
So why go to the dentist if you can get whitening products at home? The difference there lies in the dose of the active ingredient. Over-the-counter products must have extremely low doses of either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. This helps ensure that people do not hurt their teeth with these products.
However, when a dentist oversees the treatment, a higher dose is safe. Therefore, patients get more noticeable results and ensure their safety along the way.
The Best Teeth Whitening in the Upper West Side
At Glassman Dental Care, we use the revolutionary KöR Whitening system. After years of research, we have found that this system is the most effective for most patients. With the KöR Whitening system, patients come into the office to get fitted for customer whitening trays. Once you receive your whitening trays, you insert the gel and wear the trays overnight.
The gel contains 16% carbamide peroxide, making it a strong and safe teeth whitening method. Some patients maintain their bright white smile with monthly treatments as well. See what makes this system the most effective and contact us today. We can schedule your consultation and set you on your journey to confidence.