Teeth Whitening | Justice Dental | Lexington, Kentucky Dentistry

White smiles aren’t just attractive, they can lead to better first impressions and job opportunities. That’s right, job applicants with white teeth receive more job offers than their yellow-stained counterparts. If you shy away from group photos, afraid someone will tell you to smile, there are several ways of whitening your teeth for you to get relief and a proud, brighter smile.

Picture this: You’re on a first date. It’s going great so far – you have a lot in common, your personalities mesh well, and your date is a joy to be around. As the night goes on, your lovely date makes a few hilarious jokes, but you don’t laugh or even crack a smile. Your first date is probably going to be your last, and it’s all thanks to your yellow teeth. While a lack of humor isn’t ideal, at least it saves you from the embarrassment of flashing pearly whites that aren’t so pearly.

Ways to Whiten Your Teeth

If you’re in need of whiter teeth, check out this list of ways to whiten them! If you have any questions or concerns about ways to whiten your teeth, feel free to contact us for more info!

1. Brush and Floss Your Teeth

Yes, one of the best ways to keep whiter teeth is merely to brush and floss said teeth, especially after consuming stain causing foods and drinks. Built up plaque on and between teeth will prevent your teeth from being whitened. While some foods have little to no staining effect on teeth, others are like applying paint on a canvas. Some of the major food culprits include: pasta sauce, curry, balsamic vinegar, and berries. Beverages, like coffee, tee, sodas, and wine, can cause stains. In addition to stains, the acidity of sodas and wine can make teeth more susceptible to stains from food. Understandably, some of these foods and beverages are harder for people to give up altogether, so moderate consumption of foods and beverages that discolor teeth and brushing your teeth after eating or drinking these offenders should be your first step toward a brighter smile.

2. Whitening Toothpaste

In the pursuit of whiter teeth, why use regular toothpaste when you can use whitening toothpaste? In general, whitening toothpastes are made up of 1% to 1.5% of hydrogen peroxide, the key ingredient in all whitening products. Whitening toothpaste and brushing after eating or drinking stain causing foods and beverages are great for cleansing surface stains on teeth. If you only have slight discoloration, ridding your teeth of surface stains may be enough to achieve your desired level of tooth whiteness.

3. Whitening Gels and Whitening Strips

For deeper stains, more hydrogen peroxide is needed, and that’s where over-the-counter gels and strips come in. Normally, gels and strips contain around 6% to 10% of hydrogen peroxide, which can often be enough to reach under the surface stains and remove stains from your enamel up. Problems with gels and strips occur when consumers don’t use them as long as directed or fail to keep them properly aligned. While strips are easier to keep in place than gels, both can leave your teeth looking unevenly white and can aggravate your gums.

4. Professional Help

Of course, professional help is always a scary thing to hear, especially coming from dentists, but there is nothing to fear. Dentist-prescribed treatments like ZOOM! and KöR Whitening are much stronger than over-the-counter whitening products, immensely more consistent, and relatively painless. Not only do professional whitening treatments contain high potency whitening ingredients, between 10% to 35% hydrogen peroxide, but thanks to the administration of trained dental professionals and the use of custom-fitted trays, professional whitening treatments also provide evenly white smiles. Treatments include in office or take home options, so ask one of our qualified dentists for more information about whether you are a good candidate for teeth whitening or which treatment is right for you.

Remember…

As wonderful as it is to not be self-conscious, whitening is only one aspect of a perfect smile. Brushing and flossing every day and having professional cleanings at least twice a year at your local Lexington dentist is key to having not only a beautiful smile, but a healthy smile. Your smile is as unique as you are, and we want to help you protect it.

We’re Not Your Average Dentist

From the moment you step into our office you’ll quickly realize that this isn’t your average Lexington dentist office. Our mission is to deliver the very best cosmetic and whole health, anti-aging dentistry by creating natural, beautiful and healthy smiles.

We promise to keep customer service and patient comfort as our top priority, all while delivering the very best treatments and procedures available today in any Lexington dentist – whether it’s delivering the perfect smile, reconstructing your whole mouth, or helping you identify or prevent whole health wellness.

We are world class, proudly nestled right here in Lexington, KY. From one of the top 25 dentists in the nation to handpicked teams of doctors, hygienists, surgeons and dental specialists – we create natural, beautiful, and healthy smiles which function with optimal comfort and durability.

Contact us today, and learn more about how we can help you design your perfect smile!

Sources: 1, 2, 3