Over time, your teeth can go from white to not-so-bright for a number of reasons such as food and drink, tobacco use, age, trauma and medications. Teeth whitening is a simple process. Whitening products contain one of two tooth bleaches (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide). These bleaches break stains into smaller pieces, which makes the color less concentrated and your teeth brighter. The peroxide gels permeate the enamel to remove the stains that whitening toothpastes and mouth rinses can’t access. Always look for the ADA seal of approval with any oral health or hygiene product. You should consult your dentist before trying something new--even if the product is available over the counter.
Whitening services offered at Family SmileCare Center (https://www.familysmilecarecenter.com/teeth-whitening):
- Opalescence whitening custom trays
- Crest Professional Whitestrips
- Opalescence Go home whitening kit
Opalescence whitening with custom trays
If you’re looking for a bright white smile using custom trays, ask us about Opalescence whitening gel to achieve professional results. This option is ideal for people who want more intense whitening or for those who have a special day coming up that requires a bright, white smile.
Pros
- Whitening gel has a long shelf life
- Trays stay in place
- Dramatic results in a few days
- Refills of whitening gel are inexpensive
Cons
- more expensive initially
- may increase tooth sensitivity
Crest Professional Whitestrips
You can purchase professional-level whitening strips at Family SmileCare Center or an over-the-counter version at your local drugstore. The professional whitening strips offered by Family SmileCare Center will have the highest percentage of peroxide, generating dramatic results in just a few days. Crest Whitestrips boasts over-the-counter options ranging in price from $35-$50, making it not only convenient, but also very affordable to achieve noticeable results from home. Even though this whitening product can be purchased outside the dentist office, you should still seek approval before beginning your whitening routine. Your dentist can also give you advice on which Whitestrips product is best for you. (3D White Glamourous White, 3D White Luxe Professional Effects…etc.)
Pros
- Easy to use
- Economical
- Available over the counter
Cons
- Not as precise as a custom-molded tray
- Can increase tooth sensitivity
- Several kits may be needed
Opalescence Go home Whitening kit
Here’s a video about how to use it: https://youtu.be/JIV92X-cnvQ
Opalescence Go uses a flexible one-size-fits-all tray system that is preloaded with a peroxide whitening gel. Each kit contains 10 upper trays and 10 lower trays, and should be refrigerated. The peroxide gels permeate the enamel to remove the stains that whitening toothpastes and mouth rinses can’t access. Opalescence Go is available for purchase at Family SmileCare Center, so be sure to ask your dentist if it’s right for you!
Pros
- Safe and easy application
- Totally safe
- Faster results than whitestrips
- Less expensive than custom trays
- Tray material accommodates straight or crooked teeth
Cons
- Tooth sensitivity and gum irritation
- May need more than one kit to achieve desired results.
- **Pregnant or nursing women should not use peroxide-based whitening products. It also isn't for children under fourteen years old. You should not use peroxide for longer than two weeks of daily use without the supervision of a dentist.
