One of the first things that people notice about you is your smile, and one way to make it brighter is by whitening your teeth. Your teeth naturally become discolored over time due to coffee, tea, smoking, and just the process of aging. However, you don’t have to live with yellowed, stained teeth because there are safe and effective teeth whitening treatments available.
Basics of Teeth Whitening
One method of teeth whitening is bleaching, which changes the color of your enamel and removes stains on and below the surface of your teeth. This is a procedure best performed by a qualified health professional. Laser whitening is another whitening option that is highly effective, but often costlier than the alternatives. Custom-fitted teeth whitening trays and teeth whitening pens with LED light are other options. You can also use whitening toothpaste that uses abrasive materials to scrub away surface stains and polish your teeth.
Regardless of which teeth whitening method you choose, they all work in a similar way to fade away discolorations on your teeth. Teeth whiteners use carbamide peroxide to break down into hydrogen peroxide on your teeth, which breaks larger molecules into smaller ones to reflect more light. However, different application methods use different levels of peroxide, and professional offices typically use higher concentrations than over-the-counter kits you can buy.
Safety of Teeth Whitening
Although teeth whitening is generally safe and no long-term effects have been found in studies, some complications can occur. Some people experience teeth and gum sensitivity after using whitening products. It’s important to closely follow a product’s instructions and not over-whiten to avoid irritation. It’s also a smart idea to consult your dentist before considering any teeth whitening procedure to discuss your options and potential risks.
Professional Whitening v. Whitening Strips
A popular option for removing teeth stains is using whitening strips available in your local pharmacy. Although whitening strips are more affordable than professional whitening treatments, they are often not as effective and require many applications to achieve the same results. Professional treatments often yield noticeable results after just one treatment, but they sometimes require follow-up visits to maintain that level of whiteness. Both over-the-counter products and professional treatments use the same active ingredients, but at-home kits have much lower concentrations.
Teeth Whitening NYC
At Aura Wellness Spa in Manhattan, we offer safe, fast, and effective teeth whitening treatments that provide results in just one treatment. In just 60 minutes, our gentle, FDA-approved non-abrasive treatment will remove years of stains and reveal sparkling teeth 2-3 shades lighter than when you walked in.
Life is too short to feel self-conscious about the way you look, especially at times when you are happily laughing and smiling. We’re open daily from 10 am to 2 am, so contact us today to make your teeth whitening appointment and start feeling confident again!