Whitening your teeth is quite the trend in this day and age and for a good reason. Who doesn’t want beautiful, pearly whites? According to a 2015 American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) survey, teeth whitening ranked among the highest demand and most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures performed, as reported by 351 dental professional respondents.

Like any permanent upgrade, if done the wrong way, it could cause damage if not done carefully. With teeth whitening, choosing a safe and effective whitening method is essential. Teeth whitening without damaging them is possible.

Using the Right Method

Going back and forth between your teeth whitening methods? Though whitening may be safe and effective, using the wrong technique could cause permanent damage. Some possible damage you could encounter when whitening your teeth using certain products or in improper ways include:

Tooth Sensitivity
Etching of teeth
Gum irritation
Teeth appear more discolored than before whitening
Increased risk of tooth fracture
Teeth absorbing more stains than before teeth whitening
Loss of protective enamel

To avoid these risks, you should talk to a dentist about your whitening options and possible professional teeth whitening.

Professional Whitening Method

Not only do we offer general dentistry, but our dentist, Dr. Bryan G. Foote, specializes in cosmetic dentistry. He has a wealth of knowledge in teeth whitening methods and can help you determine the best and most effective treatment plan.

With our professional whitening method, you get to take home custom whitening trays, bleaching gel, and directions on how to use them. Home whitening products may be available and work to an extent, but our professional whitening is more effective.

If done with Dr. Foote’s protocol, daily use for 2-4 weeks is usually sufficient. Those results should be good for years. Patients should not have to continually bleach, but they may periodically “touch up” the results over time. For patients with dark (e.g., antibiotic stains) teeth they might need to bleach them for three months

We offer professional teeth whitening in the Columbia, Missouri area. Contact us today to get started on your teeth whitening goals!