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How to Brighten Your Smile At Home or In-Office

Brightening your teeth is an excellent way to improve your overall aesthetic appearance and confidence in your smile. However, there are a couple of options available for teeth whitening and brightening. Each option has various results and processes, so we aim to break these down and increase understanding for our patients.

Dr.Hiruma and her team are dedicated to providing patients with the best possible care. We’re also committed to establishing long-term relationships with our patients, making it easier to provide personalized care. If you have any questions about whether you should have your smile brightened in the dentist’s office or at home, just let us know. We’ll be happy to help.

Teeth Whitening Options for At Home or In-Office

There are a few different ways you can whiten or brighten your teeth at home or in-office. These options include the following:

Teeth whitening does not always work on all teeth, and the bleaching agent may work better or worse on specific areas of your smile. We encourage you to speak with your dentist about which options might be best for you.

Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste is an excellent way to remove staining on the surface of your teeth. Additionally, whitening toothpastes are perfect for sensitive teeth, as these are the most gentle option and do not use a chemical agent. Instead, whitening toothpaste uses a polishing action to remove staining.

Whitening toothpaste is also the least expensive option for brightening or touching up after at-home or in-office whitening. If you want to go this route, we encourage you to ask your dentist for their recommendations.

At-Home Teeth Whitening

Whether you purchase an at-home kit from your dentist or over the counter, you introduce a chemical whitening agent. Most of these kits work with peroxide, though other bleaching agents may also be used in some products. An at-home whitening kit may include whitening strips, trays, rinses, and brushes.

At Enso Dental Arts, we offer KOR whitening. When you purchase a kit from us, we make a personalized tray that fits better than a one-size-fits-all option. These trays are specially made to fit your upper and lower teeth and will improve the effectiveness and appearance of the whitening process. While some whitening products can lead to sensitivity, KOR whitening system is designed to minimize post op sensitivity. Patients will apply the KOR desensitizer and whitening gel can be squeezed onto the trays which will be worn overnight.

We encourage you to follow your dentist’s recommendations with at-home teeth whitening kits. At-home kits generally cost approximately $100, though a custom tray may increase the price.

Professional Whitening in the Dentist’s Office

When you work with your dentist and get a cleaning in the office, you should know that your dentist may ask you additional questions about your goals. For example, your dentist may ask about your main priorities, what color you prefer your teeth to have, and how natural you want the change to appear. Your dentist will also likely ask you about your medical history.

Professional whitening is also a chemical option. The whiteners are much stronger than other options and go much deeper into the teeth. The color of your teeth will also change much faster in the dentist’s office than at home. For reference, most in-office whitenings take approximately an hour to complete.

The gums are generally covered with rubber or protective gel, mitigating the risk of irritation. Professional whitening results also last much longer than other options, as the whitening agents penetrate much deeper into the teeth.

Interested in Teeth Whitening? Contact Enso Dental Arts to Get Helpful Answers and Guidance

Teeth whitening is an excellent way for many individuals to boost their confidence and appearance, but the methods you utilize can make a significant difference in the end results. If you need help making a decision about brightening your teeth at home, Enso Dental Arts can help. All of our providers, including the talented and passionate Dr. Maria Hiruma, are invested in creating a positive and comfortable experience for each patient.

We also offer more comprehensive dental care, increase comfort in the office with a therapy dog named Oreo, and provide state-of-the-art and science-backed care with help from a Kois-trained dentist. If you have any questions or want to schedule a consultation, please contact us. You can reach us by calling (516) 484-2676 or completing our contact form.

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