There are many teeth whitening systems and products including whitening toothpastes, over-the-counter gels, strips, trays, and whitening products obtained from a dentist.
Are you ready for one of the greatest Sundays of the year?
In the United States, Super Bowl Sunday is considered an unofficial holiday. Did you know that after Thanksgiving, more food is eaten on Super Bowl Sunday than any other day of the year?
Regardless of whether or not your favorite team is playing, the majority of us look forward to gathering with friends and gorging on some of the unhealthiest foods we can imagine, including pizza, chips and chicken wings.
And, what’s even more alarming? Fans will spend about $2.37 million on soda to wash it all down.
Sip all day and you’ll get decay.
Drinking high-sugar soft drinks is most commonly associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes and weight gain. But sodas can affect your smile, including cavities and visible tooth decay. It can also leave those pearly whites looking dingy and yellow.
Staining from soda is caused by phosphoric acid and chromogens. Phosphoric acid gives soda its flavor; however it weakens the enamel, making your teeth more susceptible to staining from the chromogens that give cola its color.
Teeth whitening for the win.
These days, consumers are bombarded with all sorts of options when it comes teeth whitening. How do you know what’s right for you?
In the spirit of the game, let’s compare in-office procedures with DIY/over-the-counter methods in our own “Teeth-Whitening Bowl” and see which will give you a touchdown!
Whitening toothpaste – Regular toothpastes remove some surface stains while they clean and freshen, but whitening toothpastes are formulated to get at those surface stains even better. Their abrasive ingredients scrub the surface of the teeth resulting in gradual brightening over time.
Over-the-counter strips/trays – If you’re on a budget, at-home kits can give you fairly good whitening results compared to in-office procedures. Just don’t expect immediate results. Whitening strips can be worn once a day for up to two hours, but you’ll likely need to wear them for several weeks before getting real results. Trays tend to be a “one-size-fits-all” often making them uncomfortable. when they slip or move around it keeps the gel from making good contact with your teeth.
In-office whitening – At our office, we offer KoR Whitening, an intense, deep whitening system. It’s particularly effective on patients who have stubborn stains such tetracycline and fluorosis, which don’t often respond to standard whitening systems. The specialty, custom-fit trays not only protect the soft tissues from excess whitening gel, but also protect teeth from saliva, which can dilute the whitening gel.
Another benefit of KoRs is its specially designed gel delivery system that keeps each component of the gel separate, safe, and cold until it’s ready to use. That means it will be at its optimum strength.
KoR combines in-office treatments with take-home trays so that you can be assured maximum whitening results.
Is there a clear-cut winner when it comes to teeth whitening?
It really depends on if you’re going for the “field goal” or the “touchdown.” Teeth whitening isn’t for everyone. Be sure to consult with your dentist if you have sensitive teeth or unhealthy teeth and gums before buying any over-the-counter products or getting a professional-strength procedure done.
Dr. Potts is a gentle, caring dentist uses the most advanced materials and procedures available. He practices comfortable, health-centered dentistry, with a strong emphasis on getting to know each patient. In addition technical proficiency, Dr. Potts is a careful listener. He makes sure to understand what you want and will explain beforehand what treatment is best for your individual needs, along with all options available to you.
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