Questions about Tooth Whitening

Barrie, Ontario - Canada

Couldn’t I whiten my own teeth with a store-bought product?

You could try. You might have some success using tooth-whitening strips if you apply them properly. The store-bought whitening kits are not effective for two reasons:

The trays they supply are generic and almost certainly will not fit your teeth. That means that the whitening gel will be applied unevenly and whatever results you get will be uneven.

The whitening gel supplied is not as strong or effective as the professional gel used by dentists.

You should definitely avoid all the "whitening" toothpastes, as they contain abrasive ingredients that will gradually remove your tooth enamel along with any stains. Look for a brand that does not say "whitening" anywhere on the box. That may take you a few minutes, but it will be time well spent.

Does tooth whitening cause any discomfort?

Not for most patients. You may have heard reports that it does hurt, and if a person has sensitive teeth it is more likely to hurt. But when it is offered by a well-trained and experienced cosmetic dentist like Dr. Chapnick, it will not hurt.

The bleaching gel contains a desensitizing agent and the whitening system’s light has a filter to block infrared light rays. This keeps the light from heating your teeth too much. Older teeth whitening systems used warmer bleaching lights to speed up the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide (it is actually oxygen that chemically removes tooth stains). Our system reduces any tooth discomfort from heat and prevents tooth damage.

Why do our teeth get discolored?

There are several reasons for tooth staining and discoloration. Simple aging is one reason – over time, the teeth become more yellow as the enamel thins and the yellow dentin beneath it shows through. Regular consumption of pigmented food and drink stains the teeth, although much of this staining is removed by your hygienist when you come for a check-up and professional cleaning.

Tobacco, whether smoked or chewed, creates yellow stains. Some medications cause staining; for instance, the antibiotic tetracycline causes deep stains if it is given to a child whose teeth are still developing. These stains are incorporated into the enamel and dentin layers as the tooth forms and are harder to eliminate later.

How long would my teeth stay white?

That would mostly depend on your diet and dental hygiene. Regular use of strongly pigmented foods and drinks would re-stain the teeth, as would smoking. Neglect of dental hygiene both at home and in office would allow the teeth to retain those stains. However, if you mostly avoid drinks like coffee and tea and foods like blackberries and blueberries, and maintain good daily hygiene, coming for regular cleanings at our office, you could keep your teeth white and attractive for years.

Please call or email our dental office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Chapnick. We serve the areas of Barrie in Ontario, and we look forward to meeting with you.