Most people want to have whiter teeth and it’s perfectly understandable. Many of us have teeth that are more faint yellow instead of pearly white. It can be caused by various factors, including age, tobacco usage, eating and drinking habits, and more. Sometimes even those people who do take extra care of their teeth still get frustrated because their teeth are not as white as they used to be.
It is therefore not surprising that many are interested in teeth whitening, hoping that they can achieve their dream pearly whites. Of course, these people have a few questions about it, including:
- Is teeth whitening covered by insurance?
- Is the effect of teeth whitening permanent?
- Is teeth whitening safe?
If you are wondering about teeth whitening too, then you have come to the right place. Pickering Square Dental frequently get these questions from our patients! So read on and find out all you wanted to know about teeth whitening.
Years back, only celebrities like movie stars, athletes, and musicians have access to teeth whitening. But that is not the case anymore. Due to technological advancements, teeth whitening is now available to everybody and it’s much less expensive than what you probably believe.
There are a lot of reasons for you to whiten your teeth, including:
- Wanting to look younger. Compared to other cosmetic procedures like Botox or facelift, whitening your teeth is a much cheaper option but can also make you look a lot younger
- Wanting to gain confidence with a brighter smile. Let’s admit it. Whiter teeth do make you feel better about yourself.
- Removing embarrassing spots. As you age, there may be some discoloration of your teeth that you want to address. Teeth whitening can help with that and let you get a more uniform smile.
Some say that all the reasons for teeth whitening are connected to vanity. Well, it may be, but if you feel better about your appearance, and it makes you more confident in facing the world – get a better job, start a business, meet new people – don’t you think it’s a worthy procedure?
Different Ways to Whiten Your Teeth
At the Dentist’s Office
Pickering Square Dental can help whiten your teeth. We use a safe peroxide power bleaching gel that can provide you with brighter and whiter teeth in an hour or less in the dental chair! Because it is chemically activated, it works as soon as it is placed on your teeth.
Of course, it is administered safely. We protect your gums to make sure that they are not damaged by teeth whitener. You can expect your teeth to be one to two shades lighter after, which is typical for patients who are jump-starting their bleaching process. If you want longer lasting results, you may follow up with at-home bleaching using custom trays.
Whitening Kits from Your Dentist
Your dentist can also provide you with whitening kits that you can administer at home. The whitening gel will be delivered using a custom tray which you will wear anywhere between 30 minutes to overnight. This whitening method is also safe as long as you carefully follow the directions. Do not leave the trays in longer than the recommended time.
Over-the-Counter Whiteners
The cheapest option you’ll find for teeth-whitening can be found at drug stores or groceries. Over-the-counter whiteners are usually in the form of strips or paint-on applicators. They are less potent than what you’ll get from your dentist and you may also get inconsistent results as they are not made nor administered by a dental professional.
Teeth-whitening is often not covered by insurance as it is considered a cosmetic procedure. Insurance companies usually cover medically necessary treatments and procedures.
Is teeth-whitening harmful to your health?
While you may experience short-term sensitivity, teeth-whitening is not damaging to your natural teeth nor will it damage your restorations like bridges, crowns, veneers, fillings, and more. However, they will remain the same colour.
Teeth-whitening is worth the investment, especially if you are feeling self-conscious about discoloured teeth or you believe the procedure will give you more confidence to achieve more in life.
Should you decide to go ahead and try teeth-whitening, you can contact Pickering Square Dental so we can schedule an appointment with you!