The Most Powerful Treatment for Whitening Your Stained, Dark-Looking Teeth

ERASING STAINS FOR GLEAMING TEETH
Enjoying tea and many other staining drinks during the day may help keep you awake, but it won't be helping your teeth. The accumulation of stains from dark-colored foods and beverages can result in discolored teeth. Even diligently brushing and flossing after each meal still may not be enough to give you the dazzling smile you're aiming for. Below, we've listed some popular tooth whitening treatments at a range of prices, both professional-grade and over-the-counter products, to help you achieve a whiter smile that will knock 'em dead in Dallas, TX.

IT ALL STARTS WITH EFFECTIVE BRUSHING
Routinely flossing, brushing, and using a dental rinse is a great place to begin. In addition, you can bring a mini-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash in your tote or briefcase to keep handy at work or school. Whenever you go to the bathroom or stop for a break, give your teeth a quick once over. In addition to improving your overall dental hygiene, you'll also be helping maintain the appearance of your smile.

OVER-THE-COUNTER TEETH BLEACHING CHOICES
When you try a drugstore product to lighten your smile, you could see slightly noticeable improvements by simply using these products on top of your daily brushing, flossing, and mouthwash regimen. At most department stores and pharmacies in Dallas, TX, you can purchase a variety of kinds of tooth whitening options to use at home, including activated charcoal, whitening toothpaste, and whitening mouthwash. It is always important to thoroughly read the directions included in the box.

• ORAL TRAYS WITH BRIGHTENING GEL
  One-size-fits-most teeth whitening products that utilize mouth trays are available in a variety of stores, and a lot of them have a similar process as the tray systems used in dentists' offices. One of the primary differences between drugstore and professional teeth whitening kits is the individualized fit. The mouth trays in a nonprofessional whitening system might not fit comfortably or could cause uneven results. In addition, the bleaching gels in over-the-counter systems aren't formulated for your exact needs, so you might experience temperature sensitivity in your teeth or other problems.
• TEETH BLEACHING STRIPS OR PENS
  A lot of retailers and drug stores stock a large selection of types of whitening pens and strips. The whitening strips are easily applied to your teeth and are fairly discreet. The whitening pen allows you to carefully apply a hydrogen peroxide solution to your teeth after they have been brushed and are dry. After you have carefully applied the strip or solution to your teeth, you should let them set for as long as directed on the product.
• WHITENING SYSTEMS WITH LED LIGHTS
  To increase the power of some teeth whitening gels or strips, you can purchase a particular kind of light. LED dental appliances need to be inserted in the mouth once you have applied your bleaching solution or strips. These special trays have a specific exposure time, and it's very important that they be used precisely as stated in the directions.

SINCE STORE-BOUGHT OPTIONS WORK, DO I REALLY NEED TO GET AN IN-OFFICE PROCEDURE?
You need to know that over-the-counter teeth whitening options won't offer the same level of results as teeth bleaching sessions performed by a dentist. Store-bought kits are very low in strength, so depending on your degree of darkening and whether you have any inlays or onlays, etc., your final tooth coloring could be visibly uneven. Plus, using these products might cause tooth and gum sensitivity. Ask your dental practitioner about nonprofessional teeth whitening options, how they stack up against treatments they provide at their practice, and whether they would recommend any of them for your specific stains.

IN-OFFICE TEETH WHITENING METHODS
Biannual dental exams and professional cleanings not only ensure that your teeth are healthy, but they should also brighten the appearance of your smile. Removing the built-up tartar and plaque from your enamel is an easy way to visibly whiten your smile. For more significant results, speak to your dental practitioner about the expert teeth whitening options they offer. Many dentists offer custom teeth whitening sessions, professional at-home systems, and dental veneers for a full smile makeover.

• CERAMIC VENEERS
  For a complete smile makeover to easily make your teeth whiter and address other cosmetic concerns (like broken teeth, extra spacing, excessive discoloration, and microdontia), dental veneers may be a good treatment. Veneers are individually made to look like real enamel and fit perfectly right onto the teeth. Your dental practitioner will have to gently shave off a tiny amount of your tooth enamel in order to make room for the veneers. When they're in place, you'll have a new, gorgeous smile.
• MEDICAL-GRADE DIY WHITENING SYSTEMS
  If you’d prefer to whiten in the privacy of home, many dentists provide professional home whitening kits. With personalized dental trays and a special whitening gel chosen for your goals, a DIY whitening kit from your dentist offers a much closer fit and even results. Professional kits are just a much better choice compared to over-the-counter kits. After applying the whitening gel to the trays, you place them over your teeth for a certain amount of time, as instructed by your dentist. Then, you take the trays out, rinse them off, and store them for the next use. At your next cleaning, you can ask for more of your whitening gel. You should not try to use over-the-counter whitening products with your professional systems, since they can erode your trays. You may use an at-home whitening kit alone or to extend your results from a professional session.
• IN-OFFICE LASER TEETH BLEACHING
  In a professional laser whitening procedure, your dentist will first apply a high-strength whitening gel onto your enamel and then go a step further with a laser light. The energy emitted by the light activates the whitening solution to produce more dramatic results. A laser whitening treatment is great when you need fast results to prepare for an important event or if you have crowns, bridges, inlays, etc. Certain in-office teeth whitening treatments can also reduce internal stains, which retail options can't reach.

ACHIEVE YOUR WHITEST, BEST SMILE
Experiencing minimal outcomes or sensitive teeth from retail whitening products can be quite disappointing. At MINT dentistry in Lake Highlands, we provide laser teeth whitening, home whitening kits, and veneers. All of these options can be customized to match your cosmetic goals, so you get stunning results without damaging your teeth. Call us to plan a visit at our practice in Dallas, TX to find out about all of our in-office and at-home whitening treatments so you can enjoy a brilliant, sexy smile.