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What is Professional Teeth Whitening?
One safe, effective way to remove stains and lighten the colour of your teeth is to have them professionally whitened.
With age, our teeth become more susceptible to staining from food, beverages and other substances. Tooth enamel naturally attracts particles, and products like coffee, tea, berries and tobacco are notorious for staining teeth.
Peroxide-based bleaching agents used during the teeth whitening treatment process are designed to lighten the colour of your teeth by reversing the effects of aging and staining.
How Teeth Whitening Works
Peroxide-based bleaching agents in teeth whitening solutions help to lighten the colour of your teeth. The whitening effect is created when oxygen acts on the tooth enamel as the active ingredient breaks down.
In-Office Teeth Whitening in Hamilton
In about two hours at our dental clinic, we can complete in-office teeth whitening. To start, a barrier is applied around your gums to protect them, then a thin layer of gel is applied and chemically activated on each tooth. The process is repeated a few times until the desired shade of white is achieved.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening in Hamilton
At Kennedy East Dental, the at-home teeth whitening options we have available allow you to whiten your teeth in the comfort and convenience of your home. Custom whitening trays are produced specifically for your smile. Your dentist will also provide you with detailed at-home instructions to follow during your course of treatment.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Read the answers to our most frequently asked questions about teeth whitening at Kennedy East Dental.
- How long do the effects of teeth whitening last?
Teeth whitening is a temporary solution to lighten your smile.
If your teeth are continually exposed to foods and drinks that cause staining, you will likely begin to see the whiteness fade after a few months.
If you avoid these foods and drinks after your teeth whitening treatment, you may just require a touch-up after a year or so.
- Does teeth whitening make teeth more sensitive?
Teeth whitening may lead to sensitivity for a short time after the procedure. For most patients, sensitivity fades away within a few days after a whitening session.
To minimize any discomfort, we recommend that you brush with an anti-sensitivity toothpaste prior to treatment and for at least two weeks following your treatment.
- Do teeth whitening products work on all stains?
We find that yellow and brown-coloured stains respond the best to teeth whitening treatments.
Grey, blue and purple-coloured stains tend not to respond to whitening at all. For teeth with these types of stains, cosmetic treatments such as dental crowns or veneers may be a better option.
- Does teeth whitening work on dental restorations?
No, teeth whitening only works on natural teeth. It does not work on existing dental restorations such as dental crowns or veneers
If veneers or crowns are part of your treatment plan, teeth whitening should happen before you receive your dental restorations.
- Will teeth whitening damage my tooth enamel?
It is very unlikely that teeth whitening will damage your dental enamel - if you whiten your teeth with the supervision of a qualified dentist.
Always ask your dentist to ensure you are using any teeth whitening products safely.
- Does insurance cover the cost of teeth whitening?
Because it is a purely cosmetic procedure with no health benefits for your teeth, dental insurance does not usually cover the cost of teeth whitening.