Teeth Whitening Treatments in Etobicoke

We all want a brighter, whiter smile. It symbolizes youth and vitality, and some studies show it can improve our interpersonal interactions at work, leading to greater success. So why do our teeth become stained? The top food and drink culprits, of course, are coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco use. These substances contain chromagens, which are highly pigmented molecules that can attach to the tooth's enamel and cause surface stains. There is also a layer beneath this hard enamel called dentin, which requires a bleaching agent to remove them.

Whitening Toothpaste

This is the cheapest and often least effective method of teeth whitening. It works by using mild silica abrasives to gently scrub the enamel exterior of the tooth. Again, by using this method, it will only work on the external surface stains and will not be able to remove deeper stains at the dentin level.

Bleaching Agents

This option is best for stains that have reached beneath the enamel to the dentin, a more porous part of the tooth. Bleaching agents work to break up the highly pigmented chromagen molecules and ultimately diffuse the look of unsightly stains. Either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide is used as a bleaching agent to reduce the look of stained teeth. Carbamide peroxide actually turns into hydrogen peroxide to break up pigments into smaller molecules by oxidizing them. Bleaching agents are distributed into a mouthpiece, which allows close proximity to the teeth while whitening. You can use bleaching agents at your dentist office or at home. In an office, it provides the advantage of a quicker bleaching time due to higher concentrations of bleaching agents and is directly applied to teeth in the dental chair.  ZOOM! Is an example of an in-office whitening system.

Whitening Strips

This uses the same hydrogen peroxide as in bleaching methods, but without the trays. Pre-formed strips are placed on the fronts of teeth and results are seen in several days.  It is important to follow directions of any method you choose.

Keep in mind that teeth whitening will not work on all teeth. For example, teeth whitening agents will not work on caps, veneers, filings, or crowns. This is why it is important to talk to your dentist about which option is best suited to your needs. After you have chosen your method, it is important to continue to brush and floss as this will keep your teeth looking bright and vibrant for longer.