If discolored teeth are making you anxious about your smile, whitening can help restore your confidence. Coffee, medication, and thinning of the enamel as you age are a few of the many things that can cause your teeth to yellow or darken. Over-the-counter options like toothpastes, rinses, or other treatments may be sufficient for light stains, but sometimes professional help is required to reverse the damage.

Whitening at Home

You have several options if you'd like to try whitening at home. These will be less expensive than a professional treatment, but it will take longer for you to see results. Whitening may not work on all discolorations, so discuss with your dentist before beginning. The American Dental Association places these products into two categories:

• Stain removal toothpastes. While all toothpastes help to remove surface stains through abrasion, stain removal toothpastes have additional polishing agents to make them more effective.
• Bleaching. The most common whitening agents are oral rinses and strips. You may experience sensitivity while using whitening products as the peroxide works under your enamel. The ADA has a list of recommended products that have been evaluated as safe for at-home use. Overuse of whiteners may damage your teeth and gums, so only use products are directed.
  

Professional Whitening

If over-the-counter products aren't giving you the results you want, enlist the help of your dentist. Professional treatments may be more expensive, but they are also more thorough. In-office treatments are most common, but you may have additional options available. 

• In-Office Bleaching. The fastest and most effective way to whiten your teeth, in-office bleaching can usually be done in one visit. Because your dentist is able to safely apply higher concentrations of bleaching agents, you can have whiter teeth in a day instead of waiting weeks to see results.
• At-Home Bleaching. Your dentist may be able to give you a kit to take home with a custom-made whitening tray. This method is slower than in-office bleaching.

Get a Brighter Smile Today

Having the confidence to smile is life-changing. At WestLake Dental Care, we want you to take pride in your smile. Contact us today to learn which whitening methods will work best for you.