A whiter, brighter smile: is it for you?


Do you want a brighter, whiter smile? Here are some facts to consider when shopping around for the correct bleaching method. Let's start at the beginning.

Your teeth will get discolored no matter what you do or don't do. Age, food, environment, tobacco, coffee and tea all discolor your teeth. As the years go by, organic particles from food and other substances accumulate on the surface of your teeth and eventually they begin to look yellowish. Of course, if you are a heavy coffee drinker or cigarette smoker, it will aggravate the situation because these substances stain your teeth quite badly. Can you avoid it? Not really, but the yellowing process will be faster or slower depending on your diet and lifestyle.

Dont fret, there is light at the end of this tunnel. Of course, youve heard of teeth whitening and bleaching. There are different treatments that can make your smile look brighter and whiter. They won't damage the enamel, fillings, inlays, onlays or crowns in your mouth. The way these processes work is akin to bleaching your clothes with color safe bleach: only the stain goes away. And like bleaches, you have different options available: over-the-counter products, dentist-guided bleaching, and laser whitening. Each has its own pros and cons, as you will see.

Over-the-counter bleaching is easy to find, and you can do it yourself in the comfort of your own home. You will need to follow the procedure for a long period of time (usually two to four weeks) and in many cases you won't see any results until you finish the treatment. Some people experience discomfort and soreness in their gums from leaking fluids, but these symptoms should disappear as soon as you finish or stop the treatment. If you are pregnant, you should consult your physician first to make sure thes procedure and the materials used are safe for you and your baby. In the long run, this option will not keep your smile as bright as the other options  that are available.

Dentist-guided bleaching is another choice. You will need to visit your dentist who will make a custom-fitting guard to place the gel that removes the organic deposits from your teeth. This is one of the best options, since you know the process is in competent hands, and everything is monitored by professionals. You can be sure that the gel your dentist applies to your teeth is the correct type, and won't damage them one iota. Furthermore, you should not feel any discomfort from leaking fluids since everything is made to fit to your own needs. Normally, this procedure takes one visit, and you can see the results almost immediately.

Finally, laser whitening is similar to dentist-guided bleaching, except that it uses light to precipitate the reaction that cleanses your teeth. It requires one visit to the dentist. He puts a rubber protector on your gums (rubber dam, if you will) and your teeth stick out from the bottom of it. Your dentist then brushes your teeth with a gel and applies the laser beam to each tooth. The results are simply amazing and you will smile brightly without shame for many months to come.

Our clinic offers both types of treatment: dentist-guided bleaching and laser whitening. Give us a call at (506) 2291-5151 or (506) 2291-5252 so we can help bring back your beautiful, bright and wonderful smile.
 

Bleaching


Dental bleaching can be used to correct many tooth discolorations that may have been caused by stains, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Using the latest bleaching technology, we can offer a safe method for creating a beautifully "bright" smile. In our office we use the OpalescentTM bleaching materials. They are the most effective and reliable bleaching materials available. Although bleaching is very effective, sometimes there are some short term disadvantages. Some people get sore gums or teeth, but it ALWAYS disappears after the use of the bleach is discontinued. Bleaching is not 100% predictable, no matter what anyone says. World research indicates that bleaching is totally effective in 80% of people, but it is impossible to accurately predict when it will not work. In cases of extreme tooth discoloration, bleaching may not be the answer, but on the other hand crowns or veneers may be the only choice. Because of the low cost of bleaching treatments, bleaching is certainly worth a try.