 What exactly is Tooth
Whitening?
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It is the whitening
of the teeth sometimes referred to as bleaching.
Over the years we get a buildup of organic
pigments on our teeth turning them yellowish in
color. With tooth whitening we can regain the
natural whiteness of our teeth and in most cases
we can even go lighter. |
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What do they use to whiten the teeth?
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They use a peroxide based gel called
Carbamide Peroxide or Hydrogen Peroxide |
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Will it
hurt my tooth enamel?
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No there is no damage done to the teeth at
all. |
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Will my
teeth be sensitive?
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You might experience some sensitivity but
usually if you use a desensitizing tooth paste
it will control any sensitivity you may. Also
depending on how and when you use the gel can
make a difference but you will be advised about
this at your dental office. |
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Will
my teeth get yellow again?
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You may notice a slight change in color
several months down the road but that can be
taken care of in just a couple of nights every 6
months or so. A lot depends on you if you are a
smoker or if you drink a lot of tea or coffee
you might notice a change sooner. Generally
though your teeth will not return to the color
they were when you started. |
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Why can't I just buy it from the pharmacy?
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The product that a pharmacy or any other
store can sell you is not nearly as effective as
what you can get from your dentist. |
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I have seen whitening toothpaste does it work?
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No it will not whiten your teeth but it will
help to keep things nice after your bleaching is
completed. |
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How long does
it take?
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It usually takes 2-3 weeks but there are a
few things to take into consideration. First of
all the color of your teeth when you begin the
treatment and how light you want your teeth to
be. Also the frequency of use of the product. |
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How do
I put it on my teeth?
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Your dentist will make you some soft plastic
trays that will fit over your teeth. These are
usually quite comfortable and people hardly
notice that they have them in their mouth. |
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I have heard of in office treatment and home
treatment. What is the difference?
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One is done in the dental chair and is
usually done in about one hour. The other is
done at home and can take a few weeks. |
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Is one
better than the other?
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Not necessarily, it is dependant on you.
Some people want immediate results while others
don't mind taking the time to do it at home.
However when you have it done in the office it
is often recommended that you continue at home
for a week or so to get the final results that
you want to achieve. |
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Do they use the same product to do in office
whitening that is used at home?
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Basically yes but you may have heard of
laser whitening and this is a special light that
is used when
whitening the teeth in the
office. It is a blue laser type light that
speeds up the process of the whitening. |
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Is the laser
light safe?
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Yes it is safe although you may feel some
sensitivity. |
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