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Want to whiten your teeth from your Reston, VA, dentist
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Teeth whitening procedure restores smiles and rids teeth of stains. Dental stains are usually a result of poor oral hygiene. Your dental care regimen must consist of you brushing and flossing everyday. You need to use fluoride-containing products -- toothpaste and mouthwash -- which protect teeth from decay.
Other reasons teeth darken are because of:
- smoking
- tobacco
- coffee
- aging
- traumatic injuries
- medications
- fluorosis
- natural wear and tear
There are two types of teeth-whitening procedures:
In-Office Whitening: This technique uses high-concentration bleaching gels that aren't available over the counter and offers fast results. A protective barrier is placed over gums and tooth-root surfaces to protect them from the gel, then a plastic device, a retractor, holds lips and cheeks away from bleaching gel applied on teeth. The bleaching gel consists of hydrogen peroxide and whitens teeth in about an hour.
Take-Home Whitening: This is perhaps a more convenient method for busy individuals who can't make it to the dentist's Reston office, but it will take longer, perhaps several weeks, to get results. This method involves your doctor making a custom-made mouth tray, one for the top and another for the bottom teeth. You'll fill those trays with teeth whitening gel then placed over teeth and left for an hour.
While the in-office procedure is the best, there are other teeth-whitening methods. The over-the-counter whitening system is convenient for busy people who just can't make it to their dentist's office. This option may need to be repeated several times for results.
If your teeth are pitted and badly discolored, teeth-whitening may not be as efficient. You may need to use a different dental restoration to improve the appearance of your teeth, such as:
- crowns
- bridges
- dental bondings
- tooth-colored fillings
- porcelain veneers
If you want more information on teeth whitening in the Reston, VA, or want to make an appointment, call (703) 437-5555 today!