Dazzling white teeth aren’t just for movie stars. Your compassionate family dentist Dr. Cain provides two types of teeth whitening right here in his welcoming Gary office. In today’s blog Dr. Cain answers patients’ frequently asked questions about professional teeth whitening.
Q: What is the difference between professional whitening treatments and over-the-counter whitening kits?
A: In-office professional whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide ranging from 15% to 43% in comparison to over-the-counter products that contain a 10% to 22% carbamide peroxide content which is equivalent to about 3% hydrogen peroxide. Professional whitening treatments therefore apply stronger bleaching agents than over-the-counter treatments, and they place these directly to the teeth.
Q: How long does an in-office whitening treatment take?
A: While over-the-counter whitening products must be repeated several times to obtain substantial results, an in-office whitening treatment lightens teeth several shades in just one appointment that lasts about an hour.
Q: How long will the results last?
A: Teeth whitening results last from six months to 2 years or more, depending on the amount of staining foods and drinks you consume. Red wine, coffee, tea, and smoking stain teeth. You can always touch-up your teeth with Dr. Cain’s at-home whitening kit.
Q: Are there any side effects of teeth whitening?
A: Some patients report teeth sensitivity, but this generally disappears after one to three days following treatment. If this occurs, Dr. Cain is here to guide you through this and solve the problem as soon as possible. He may ask you to reduce the amount of time that you wear your at-home whitening trays or simply stop whitening for a few days so that your teeth can adjust to the whitening materials.
About your Gary Dentist
Dr. Nicholas Cain provides stellar preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry in his comfortable Gary, IN office. His services include children’s dentistry, bruxism and TMJ treatment, porcelain veneers, and orthodontics. To request an appointment with Healthy Smiles, contact us at 219-938-2637 or email info@healthysmilesnwi.com. We proudly welcome patients living in and around Gary, Miller, and Miller Beach.