Teeth Whitening

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Keeping our teeth their whitest is a lot harder than it sounds. With all the coffee, wine, smoking and other foods that have the ability to stain our teeth on a daily basis, even proper maintenance sometimes leaves them a little dull. Teeth whitening is an excellent way to restore the natural color of your teeth.  Stop in to Poulson Family Dental located in Brighton, CO and talk to Dr. Poulson about teeth whitening options for you.  We look forward to hearing from you.

If you have cavities or gum disease, whitening options may not be right for you at this time.  Using whitening when you have cavities can dramatically increase sensitivity to the treatment.  The presence of gum disease, plaque or calculus will decrease the effects of whitening because they cover up the natural tooth and prevent it from contact with the whitening solution.  An exam to check for cavities or gum disease prior to starting any whitening treatment will help you get better results with more comfort in the long run.

What are teeth whitening options

1. In-office bleaching provides the quickest way to whiten your teeth. With in-office bleaching, the whitening product is applied directly to your teeth. Our products may be used in combination with heat and/or a laser. Results vary but typically are seen in only one, 30- to 60-minute treatment. To achieve dramatic results, several appointments are usually needed. However, it is not uncommon with our in-office bleaching to see dramatic results after the first treatment.  One common drawback to in-office whitening is tooth sensitivity.  When quick results are achieved tooth sensitivity may follow.  Tooth sensitivity is usually temporary and the use of fluoride toothpaste and mouthwashes will help it resolve sooner.  
2. Custom Whitening Tray tooth whitening systems, made by Poulson Family Dental, involve filling a mouth guard-like tray with a gel whitening solution. These trays are made specific to your mouth.  The solution contains a peroxide-bleaching agent that is stronger than whitening options you can find in the store but weaker than the In-office option.  Sensitivity is less common or more mild compared to In-office whitening. The tray is worn for a period of time, usually 15- to 60-minutes a day.  It's typically directed to wear the tray every day for seven to ten days.  Tubes of bleaching solution are given for use at home with the initial kit and more can be purchased based on individual whitening needs.  Some solutions can also be worn during the night.  Custom Tray-based whitening can be used for up to four weeks and even longer (depending on the degree of discoloration and desired level of whitening).  This option offers the most flexible whitening option and tends to be the most affordable long-term.
3. Stock tray kits are also available at Poulson Family Dental.  This option is a great introduction to whitening for most patients since it is easy and quite cost-effective.  A pack of pre-filled trays is sold as a kit, usually including seven to ten treatments.  A mouthguard-like tray is used to place the pre-filled trays in the mouth and they are worn for 15- to 60-minutes. Since it is a stock kit, you can pick up a kit at any time by coming in to our office.  Remember, you want to make sure you have had an exam to make sure there are no cavities or gum disease present.
4. Over The Counter (OTC) Whitening are low cost options if you want to explore whitening.  There are many options available but all are much weaker than the other options.  Why?  Anyone can use them and they might have cavities or gum disease.  A stronger whitening agent can cause damage if those are present.  OTC whitening can work if you are patient and consistent with their use.  Some patients find that the initial cost savings is offset by the need to use multiple kits.  

If you are interested in whitening, please give Dr. Poulson and his team a call.  We can schedule an exam and discuss the best whitening option for you.