Whitening vs Bleaching At The Reno Dentist In Reno

Sparks teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dentistry service that The Reno Dentist provides in-office or through a take home kit. Results vary, but most patients experience significant lightening that lasts up to a year. Our Reno and Spanish Springs teeth whitening patients affirm that a whiter smile boosts self confidence and can take years of wear and discoloration away to reveal a brighter smile.

Teeth whitening and teeth bleaching, however, mean two different things. Surface cracks and stains occur on tooth enamel, exposing the yellower dentin below the surface. Discoloration can be the result of the natural aging process, illness, genetics, or dark colored food or drink. Foods and beverages that are both dark colored and acidic – like wine, coffee, and tomato sauce  – have even greater staining power.

Teeth whitener can refer to any product used to remove stains from tooth enamel: toothpaste, do it yourself strips, and certain mouthwashes are safe and inexpensive and can turn teeth whiter with continued, regular use. The extent of whitening varies, and it takes dedicated, consistent use to see results.

Whitening products that do not contain bleach can usually make teeth two to four shades lighter. These are a good choice for Sparks men and women with sensitive teeth and gums that can react to products containing harsher whitening chemicals. For pregnant or nursing mothers, the non-bleach whitening products are the safer choice.

Teeth bleaching is used to describe a tooth whitening product that contains a form of bleach, either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, in varying concentrations. For best results, Sparks teeth bleaching should be done in-office by your Nevada cosmetic dentist. Bleaching can achieve more noticeable results, sometimes up to seven shades lighter. Intrinsic stains on the dentin, as well as surface stains can be effectively lightened under an experienced Sparks dentist’s supervision.

Call the knowledgeable team at The Reno Dentist to schedule a consultation!

The following online articles were used as source material for this post:

Linda Dyett, ‘Teeth Whitening: How it Works and What it Costs,’ Consumer Guide to Dentistry, September 12, 2011, http://www.yourdentistryguide.com/teeth-whitening/.htm, accessed on Feb 6, 2012

‘How to Whiten Teeth,’ What’s Cooking America, http://whatscookingamerica.net/HealthBeauty/TeethWhitening.htm, accessed on February 6, 2012