What is the best way to whiten teeth? While it does depend to some degree on your whitening goals, your history with teeth whitening, your oral health, and your budget, there are some general basics to know as you decide on the right option.
There are quite a few different options for whitening teeth, including at-home whitening kits and professional teeth whitening in an office setting. And the more information you have, the easier it will be to choose which one might be ideal for your needs. With that in mind, here are answers to some of the most common questions we see about teeth whitening to help guide your decision.
How does teeth whitening work?
Stains on teeth are made up of colored molecules that adhere to enamel, plaque, and tartar. The bleaching solutions used for teeth whitening break down these molecules, and are activated by oxygen in the air and the naturally-occurring carbon in the interior of your teeth.
What’s the fastest way to whiten teeth?
When it comes to how to whiten teeth fast, it’s important to balance out how fast the process is with how reliable and long-lasting your results will be. Because while there are undoubtedly whitening systems that promise results in just an hour, they’re not as effective for sustainable stain removal. At Inspire Dental Wellness, we usually recommend more thorough techniques, including the KoR Method, a two-week whitening process that goes deep into the interior of the teeth to provide you with bright white teeth that last.
How long does teeth whitening take?
Teeth whitening can be done in as little as an hour or consist of ongoing applications over multiple weeks. Again, it depends on the technique and the shade you are trying to achieve.
Does teeth whitening hurt?
The process of teeth whitening itself shouldn’t hurt, but it may cause tooth sensitivity. Therefore, we recommend using Sensodyne toothpaste to combat sensitivity during and after the whitening treatment process.
Does teeth whitening damage your teeth?
The risk of enamel damage from teeth whitening is very low when a professional oversees the process. So, if you’re worried about damage, skip the at-home kits and opt for professional teeth whitening instead.
How long do results last?
Results from a professional whitening process can last several months to a year with proper maintenance. This includes avoiding staining foods and drinks, not smoking, and keeping up with regular dental check-ins.
Should I have a dental cleaning before?
Yes. Removing excess plaque and tartar will improve the results of the whitening process, and many clinics allow you to schedule a whitening treatment directly after a cleaning appointment.
How do I ensure the best results?
For best results, follow all directions regarding what you should do before, during, and after the whitening process. This includes things like good oral hygiene and drinking staining beverages through a straw, plus following each step of the treatment regimen closely.
Does it work on veneers?
No. Teeth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, not veneers or other non-natural surfaces.
What is the best teeth whitening product on the market?
We offer the KoR Method for whitening to our patients because we think it’s truly the best. This highly effective method involves a 14-day at-home treatment regimen followed by up to three 20-minute in-office bleaching sessions. Results are stunning, and last much longer than what you get from many other products.
Teeth Whitening at Inspire Dental Wellness
We’ve come a long way with whitening options. And while there are a lot of at-home options, the safest, most effective, and longest-lasting methods are those performed with professional assistance.
Are you interested in teeth whitening near me? Learn about the KoR Method and our other smile makeover treatments, and contact the Inspire Dental Wellness team today to schedule your first appointment.