Nearly every tube of toothpaste has on it some variation of the words “Tooth Whitening.” This claim is not necessarily false, but it is a bit misleading.
Most whitening kinds of toothpaste rely on baking soda or abrasive microbeads to polish stains from tooth enamel. This effect is “whitening”, at least to an extent, though you are unlikely to achieve significant results. The same is true of toothpaste containing peroxide or other topical whiteners. Their effect is sometimes noticeable, but largely underwhelming.
Teeth whitening toothpaste is great at preventing new stains after professional tooth whitening services have been performed, but this is really the extent of their efficacy. Using a tooth whitening toothpaste on a smile that has never been professionally whitened will likely produce unnoticeable, insignificant, and frustratingly poor results.
A Better Option
If your teeth are stained above the enamel, a professional teeth whitening treatment may be the best bet. Houston dentist Dr. Ronald Konig offers both in office and take-home teeth whitening kits, enabling him to meet the specific needs of each patient.
In office whitening is fast, comfortable, and highly effective. In fact, this tooth whitening service can lighten your teeth up to ten shades in just one short hour – and those results can last for several months so long as proper care, such as using a tooth whitening toothpaste, is taken after treatment.
Take home kits offer comfort and convenience, allowing you to whiten your teeth over the course of a month on your schedule. Our take-home teeth whitening treatments come with customized application trays that allow for optimal delivery of the bleaching solution while minimizing risks for sensitivity or soft tissue irritation. What’s more, these kits can be used periodically for touch-ups when teeth begin to lose their luster.
If your teeth are stained underneath the enamel, topical solutions will not work as well. Stains from tetracycline, fluorosis, aging, and nicotine are best addressed with porcelain veneers. Veneers are placed over the front of the teeth to cover deep stains and discoloration. Dr. Konig can have veneers shaped for a natural-looking fit and shaded to produce optimal brightness. Veneers can last for ten or more years and may even be used for tooth whitening in addition to the correction of chips and cracks, spacing and presentation issues, and tooth size and shape abnormalities. All of this can be discussed in greater detail during your time in our care.
Contact Us to Learn More
Will teeth whitening toothpaste work for you? Maybe, it all depends on the state your teeth are currently in. Will they produce the same results as professional treatment? Absolutely not.
If you are interested in whitening your teeth, give us a call at 713-668-2289 to schedule a consultation at our Houston office to learn more about the professional options offered by Dr. Konig.
Dr. Konig is a Fellow in both the American Academy of Dentistry and the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies and remains committed to providing every patient with the safest and most effective treatments. Caring, attentive, and effective, Dr. Konig welcomes men and women from The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Katy, Conroe, and all surrounding areas of Texas.
