Explore Professional Teeth Whitening Services in Laurel MD: What You Need to Know
Teeth whitening Laurel MD encompasses a range of procedures designed to make an individual’s natural teeth appear more radiant and whiter. Teeth whitening methods encompass techniques such as sanding down stains, bleaching, and ultraviolet (UV) light therapy, among others. Several teeth whitening methods can lead to unpleasant side effects, especially tooth sensitivity and gum inflammation.
Types of Tooth Stains
Intrinsic Stains
Tooth enamel stains that originate from within are classified as intrinsic stains. Intrinsic tooth discoloration can be visible when a child’s teeth start to emerge from the gums.
These stains can be caused by antibiotic use, high fluoride exposure levels, and tooth enamel becoming thinner with age. Intrinsic staining may occasionally be hereditary.
Extrinsic Stains
Stains outside of the tooth are considered extrinsic. This discoloration on tooth enamel occurs due to exposure to environmental factors that cause staining, including coffee, artificial food colorings, and smoking. Extrinsic stains can also be associated with the use of antibiotics.
Whitening Products
Over-the-counter teeth whitening Laurel MD products comprise whitening toothpaste and mouthwash. These products may include baking soda, a mild abrasive that can help remove stains through scrubbing. Certain whitening toothpastes incorporate charcoal, another substance with abrasive properties. Formulas for whitening teeth may also include low levels of carbamide and hydrogen peroxide. Using abrasives excessively or consistently over time can cause damage to your tooth enamel.
At-Home Teeth Whitening Kits
Home teeth whitening Laurel MD kits often come in the form of a gel or paste that is applied to the teeth using a brush, or alternatively, as sticky strips. Prior to applying a mouth guard, some home whitening kits require that you cover your teeth with a whitening agent. Some at-home kits contain a mouth guard equipped with a heat lamp, blue light, or UV light to emit the whitening paste.
The concentration of active ingredients in whitening kits used at home is lower than what is typically found in a dental office. As a result, daily use of the kit over several weeks is necessary to notice any noticeable improvements. The majority of in-home whitening products claim results are apparent within a 2 to 4 weeks’ timeframe.
Teeth Whitening at a Dental Office.
Dentists’ offices use stronger concentrations of active ingredients to achieve noticeable results in a shorter timeframe.
Multiple in-office teeth whitening Laurel MD sessions may be necessary for achieving the desired level of whiteness. Routine dental cleaning sessions are typically not covered by insurance and can be costly.
At the dentist’s office, power bleaching involves rinsing your teeth with a strong hydrogen peroxide solution for 20 to 30 minutes. In-office tooth whitening sessions sometimes include laser therapy, with no robust research available to confirm its effectiveness.
