Are Whitening Treatments Effective?

Everyone loves having a fresh, clean smile, and whitening services offer you pearly whites that will stand out and make you look more attractive. But at what cost? You have plenty of whitening treatment options to consider, from professional general dentistry services in Houston, TX, to using home whitening products. Some spa-like environments claim to have natural methods for whitening your teeth. 

But do whitening treatments actually work? Are they only temporary? That depends on the treatment. Here's what you should know before you sign up for whitening or take home a product.

Causes of Stains

First of all, you should know a bit more about the types of stains that you may have. For one, there are superficial stains on your enamel. Drinking coffee or tea can stain this outer layer of the tooth, leaving behind acids that will discolor this layer. 

Then there are stains to the dentin of your tooth, or the inner pulp that makes up the majority of a tooth's mass. As you age, eat acidic foods, or expose your teeth to dangerous chemicals, you can stain your dentin. It will discolor into a yellowish or grayish hue so bold that it shows through the slightly transparent and thin enamel atop it.

Types of Treatments

There are 2 distinct types of whitening treatments: those that aim to bleach the teeth to cover the discoloration inside your teeth, and those that attempt to remove surface stains on the enamel of teeth. There are few treatments that aim to do or are able to do both. 

There are various approaches to teeth whitening. Examples of surface whitening treatments include the use of whitening toothpaste, which is abrasive enough to eat away at some surface stains and whiten the enamel, or using a whitening rinse, which tears away and collects stains so you can spit them out into your sink.

Then there are the treatments that aim to whiten over the dentin. A laser-based whitening technology can direct into your teeth to make them look healthier and whiter. These intensive and effective treatments should only be performed by the dentist. While some whitening strips and trays you use at home claim that they bleach through the top layers of your teeth, nothing is as effective as a dentist's professional whitening system. If you're interested in long-lasting and effective whitening, visit general dentistry services in Houston, TX, for a safe and effective laser whitening treatment.