The Best Process for Brightening Your Dull, Yellowing Teeth

ERASING DISCOLORATION FOR GLEAMING TEETH
Drinking coffee or many other dark-colored beverages during the day may give you energy, but it won't be brightening your smile. Years of stains from dark-colored foods and drinks can cause discolored smiles. Even regularly brushing and flossing morning and night might not effectively create the brilliant smile you're aiming for. Here are a few tooth bleaching systems at a range of prices, both professional-grade and store-bought products, to help you get a whiter smile that will knock 'em dead in Addison, TX.

YOUR WHITEST SMILE STARTS WITH PROPER BRUSHING
Consistently flossing, brushing, and using mouthwash is a great place to start. In addition, it's smart to bring a travel-sized dental hygiene kit in your bag or backpack to use at the office or school. Whenever you go to the bathroom or stop for a break, give your mouth a simple freshening up. Beyond enhancing your general oral hygiene, you'll also be helping maintain the appearance of your smile.

OVER-THE-COUNTER TEETH BLEACHING CHOICES
When you choose an over-the-counter option to brighten your smile, you might see minor improvements by just using these products in addition to your typical brushing, flossing, and mouthwash routine. At local retailers and pharmacies in Addison, TX, you can buy a variety of kinds of tooth whitening products to try at home, such as whitening toothpaste, whitening strips, and bleaching gels. Always make sure to pay careful attention to the instructions included in the box.

• TEETH WHITENING PENS AND STRIPS
  A lot of retailers and drug stores offer a large selection of different types of bleaching pens and strips. The strips can be easily applied to your teeth and are fairly discreet. A bleaching pen enables you to precisely apply a bleaching solution to your teeth after they have been brushed and are dry. Once you have carefully applied the strip or solution to your teeth, it's important to leave them on for as long as indicated on the box.
• ORAL TRAYS WITH BRIGHTENING GEL
  Generalized teeth whitening systems with mouth trays are available in retail stores, and a lot of them have the same look as the professional mouth trays used by your dentist. Among the main differences between store-bought and professional teeth whitening kits is the individualized fit. The dental trays in a consumer whitening system might not fit appropriately or could result in spotty outcomes. In addition, the bleaching gels in over-the-counter systems aren't designed for your exact goals, so you may end up with tooth sensitivity or other issues.
• WHITENING SYSTEMS WITH LIGHTS
  To intensify the results from some teeth bleaching solutions or strips, you can also apply a particular type of light. LED mouth tray devices should be inserted in the mouth after you have applied your brightening solution or strips. These special trays have a specific wear time and should be used exactly as stated in the directions.

IF DRUGSTORE METHODS WORK, DO I REALLY NEED TO GET AN IN-OFFICE PROCEDURE?
It's important to know that nonprofessional teeth bleaching options can't give you the same level of results as teeth whitening treatments done by a dental professional. Over-the-counter kits are very low in strength, so depending on your discoloration and if you have any inlays or onlays, etc., your final tooth coloring could be uneven. Further, using these products could result in inflamed gums and sensitive teeth. Ask your dentist about store-bought teeth whitening systems, how they stack up against treatments they offer at their office, and if they might recommend any of them to whiten your specific stains.

DENTIST-PERFORMED TEETH WHITENING METHODS
Biannual oral exams and professional cleanings not only ensure that your whole mouth stays healthy, but they will also brighten the appearance of your smile. Removing the accumulated debris and bacteria from your enamel is an easy way to visibly brighten your smile. If you want more significant results, talk to your dentist about the expert teeth whitening systems they provide. They may offer prescription-strength teeth whitening treatments, professional DIY systems, and dental veneers for a full smile upgrade.

• PROFESSIONAL DIY WHITENING KITS
  If you’d rather whiten in the privacy of home, some dental practices offer professional DIY whitening kits. With tailor-made mouth trays and a special whitening gel selected for your needs, a do-it-yourself whitening kit from your dentist will give you a much better fit and consistent results. Systems from your dentist are simply a better option than generic products. After applying the whitening gel to both trays, you place them over your teeth for a specified length of time, as instructed by your dental practitioner. Then, you take the trays out, clean them, and store them for the next use. During your next appointment, you can ask for more of the whitening gel. Do not try to use over-the-counter whitening gel with your professional kits, since they may harm your trays. You may use a home whitening kit as your only treatment or to maintain your results after a professional treatment.
• CERAMIC VENEERS
  For a full smile makeover to effectively make your teeth whiter and camouflage other visible flaws (such as chips, wide gaps, extreme discoloration, and worn-down teeth), dental veneers could be a good treatment. Veneers are individually made to be natural looking and fit seamlessly right onto the teeth. Your dental practitioner will need to carefully shave off a tiny amount of your tooth enamel before placing the veneers. Once they're in place, you'll have a new, gorgeous smile.
• DENTIST-PERFORMED LASER TEETH WHITENING
  During an in-office laser whitening treatment, your dentist will first apply a special whitening gel onto your teeth and then implement a laser light. The energy from the laser activates the whitening product to create maximum results. A laser whitening treatment is great when you need results in a hurry to prepare for a big event or if you have crowns, bridges, inlays, etc. Some laser teeth whitening systems can also lessen internal stains, which retail products can't do.

ACHIEVE YOUR BRIGHTEST, MOST ATTRACTIVE SMILE
Experiencing limited outcomes or heat and cold sensitivity from drugstore whitening treatments can be quite disappointing. At MINT dentistry in Addison, our team provides home and in-office whitening treatments, as well as dental veneers. Each of these choices can be specially designed to match your cosmetic goals, so you see amazing results without damaging your oral health. Contact us to set up a consultation at our practice in Addison, TX to find out about all of our in-office and at-home whitening options to have a bright, attractive smile.