Talk to the Dentist About Tooth Whitening

Many people dream of having whiter, brighter teeth to flash when they smile. A trip to the dental care isle at any store will reveal the demand for whiter teeth. A wide variety of products are available, all promising to improve your smile. There are special types of toothpaste, strips, gels, and mouthpieces. Aside from the over-the-counter products, there are in-office and at-home solutions available at Georgetown Smile.

With so many solutions to choose from, how can someone decide which is best? The answer is simple; talk to your dentist!

There are a few very good reasons to visit Georgetown Smile before choosing a tooth whitening solution. The dentist will:

• Diagnose the cause of the discoloration
• Recommend the appropriate treatment
• Monitor the treatment for safety and effectiveness

Tooth discoloration can come from external sources such as coffee, tea, red wine, colored food, or tobacco. However, there can also be internal causes of discoloration such as root damage or the presence of stain molecules when the tooth was forming. It is important to understand the cause of the discoloration in order to choose the appropriate solution.

Other considerations in choosing a treatment are time and effectiveness. Your dentist can perform whitening procedures in the office or provide solutions that can be done at home. Either way, the treatment is faster and more effective than over-the-counter solutions. That means your teeth will be whiter (which was the goal to begin with) and you will spend less time being concerned about the look of your smile.

A quick word of caution regarding over-the-counter solutions: studies have shown that use of these products can damage the enamel on your teeth. So, even if you do decide to buy off the shelf, talk to your dentist to find out if there are any negative effects of the treatment you’ve chosen. Studies further find that in-office or at-home solutions used by dentists do not have any negative effects on tooth enamel.

To get the brighter, whiter smile you’ve always wanted, book an appointment with Georgetown Smile today!