Everybody wants a beautiful white smile. While our teeth can yellow and dim as time passes, the good news is that there is no shortage of whitening options available to the average consumer. While countless options are available to you, seeing your local dentist for a whitening treatment is likely your safest option. Patients in the Griffin, Georgia, area trust their teeth to Dr. Mark Martindale and the team at Martindale Family Dentistry. There is no need to let the choices available to you become overwhelming. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Martindale, and he will walk you through your options. Since both in-office and at-home treatments are available through Martindale Family Dentistry, you will receive the treatment that works best for you.
Are Teeth Whitening Treatments Safe?
If you have delayed a teeth whitening treatment because you are concerned about the safety of the chemicals used in these treatments, you do not need to worry. As long as they are used properly, the peroxide-based bleaching agents used in teeth whitening treatments are perfectly safe. Seeing your dentist for a whitening treatment will provide better results than any over-the-counter treatment you may have considered. Some of this is due to marketing by these products that they could never live up to, but it is also because the bleaching agents used (safely) by your dentist are stronger and will provide significantly better results. At-home products contain anywhere from 3 to 30 percent peroxide in the whitening agent, while an in-office treatment will range anywhere from 15 to 43 percent.
Choosing Between At-Home and Professional Whitening Treatments
When it comes to choosing a teeth whitening option, you will be looking at three main options. Over-the-counter options, as you can find at any grocery or drug store, will provide minimal (if any) result. Often these products are made in a one size fits all mold for mass consumption. Because of this, even with the stronger over-the-counter options, you will likely get results that are uneven and hard to notice.
When you visit your dentist, they may offer both in-office and at-home treatments. Both have their advantages depending on what you are looking for. First, when you choose an in-office treatment, you likely are seeking immediate results. An in-office whitening treatment can whiten your teeth by several shades in as little as a single hour-long session.
Many dentists also offer a take-home option that provides excellent results over a more gradual timeline. You will typically apply a bleaching agent into a mold that you wear over your teeth. You will still achieve the same results, just over a few treatment sessions from the comfort of your home. At Martindale Family Dentistry, Dr. Martindale provides Zoom whitening products to his patients who wish to pursue this option.
The Risk of Whitening Products
As with any dental or medical treatment, the benefits may be out of this world amazing, but there are still some situations where the treatment may not be for you or could present some negative effects. It is important to understand the risks associated with any treatment you may be considering to make an informed decision about the treatment. First, teeth whitening is completely non-invasive and generally considered very safe, but there are some considerations and risks due to the chemicals used to whiten your teeth. This bleaching gel could cause you some minor teeth sensitivity. Because of this, if you already have teeth or gum sensitivity, you may want to consult with your dentist before choosing a whitening option. For some patients who suffer from tooth or gum sensitivity, an at-home treatment may be a better option due to the whitening gel not being as concentrated and strong.
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While results are generally consistent, they cannot be guaranteed and can vary depending on your age, genetics, and the initial color and health of your teeth. In addition, if you have a crack in a tooth or an unfilled cavity, the bleaching agent could cause some discomfort if it seeps into that crack or comes into contact with an area that has been compromised due to decay.
If you are interested in learning more about teeth whitening, please call Dr. Mark Martindale at Martindale Family Dentistry today at 770-637-5876.
Dr. Mark Martindale
Dr. Mark Martindale, DDS, is a dedicated and compassionate cosmetic dentist with over a decade and a half of experience. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Meharry Medical College and completed a residency at the Miami VA Medical Center. As the founder of Martindale Family Dentistry in Griffin, Georgia, Dr. Martindale is committed to conservative dental care. He is an active member of the Georgia Dental Association, American Dental Education Association, and Student National Dental Association. He frequently volunteers his expertise as a Preceptor at the Ben Massell dental clinic in Atlanta and other underserved communities across Georgia. You can rely on Dr. Martindale for exceptional, patient-centered care that prioritizes your needs.
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