How Teeth Whitening Is Used in a Smile Makeover (2024)

The concept of getting a smile makeover is appealing to many people. If you are unhappy with the way your teeth look, you may also be interested in undergoing treatment. With a few visits to the dentist’s office, you could restore your smile and enjoy good oral health. Some makeovers, such as a teeth-whitening treatment, are cosmetic. If the stains on your teeth are bothering you, your dentist can offer a solution.

The causes of discoloration

It is not uncommon for a person to struggle with stained teeth. This can happen by drinking and eating certain types of beverages and foods. Wine, cola, and coffee can discolor teeth. The same thing can happen by eating berries, soy sauce, and tomato sauce. Smoking and other tobacco products can also stain teeth.

Poor oral hygiene can also lead a person to seek a smile makeover. Not brushing and flossing regularly can cause stains to build up on teeth. People should brush at least twice a day and floss daily. It is also helpful to rinse with mouthwash daily.

Store-bought teeth whitening

People with discolored teeth may first look to over-the-counter products. Teeth-whitening options may come in toothpaste, mouthwash, and whitening strips. These have a low concentration of hydrogen peroxide, which slowly breaks down stains. With continued use, the user’s teeth may become a few shades whiter after several weeks.

Take-home trays

For a faster-acting smile makeover, a person may prefer to get treatment from the dentist. One option is whitening trays. The dentist will begin by taking impressions of the patient’s teeth. Then, using this model, the dentist can create a set of trays that will hold the teeth-whitening gel. The trays are like mouthguards, which fit over the person’s teeth.

The hydrogen peroxide in the gel is more highly concentrated than what is found in store-bought products. Patients can get whiter teeth faster, and the results can be longer-lasting. People who choose this treatment will wear the trays overnight for several weeks or months.

In-office teeth whitening

Another smile makeover solution is teeth whitening at the dentist’s office. This method should deliver more prompt results. The patient can improve the whiteness of their teeth by several shades. The treatment requires only one or two visits, which will last less than an hour.

For this treatment, the patient gets comfortable in the dental chair. The dentist prepares a mouthpiece and fills it with a whitening product, typically hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Once the dentist places the gel on the patient’s teeth, the ingredients start to work. The peroxide penetrates the teeth and breaks down the molecules that cause the staining.