Want a Whiter, Brighter Smile?
Teeth whitening in Toronto is one of the most popular elective cosmetic dental procedures as it is inexpensive, highly effective, non-invasive and produces fast results. Of all the options when it comes to cosmetic dentistry in Toronto, many patients decide to invest in whitening treatments to improve their appearance and boost their confidence.
The best dentists in Toronto leverage a custom approach to whitening because success is different for every patient. The colour of your teeth is dependent on lifestyle, diet, habits, and oral care practices.
For the best long-term results, Your Neighbourhood Dentists recommend regular touch-ups and maintenance with one of our Davisville or Eglinton dentists near you. To determine how frequently you should schedule teeth whitening in Toronto, consult your local dental team for a tailored plan.
Read on to learn more about leveraging teeth whitening services in Toronto to get the smile you want.
Understanding Tooth Discolouration
Tooth discolouration is separated into two categories: extrinsic stains and intrinsic stains.
Extrinsic stains are superficial surface stains that are naturally picked up over the course of a person’s life. They are caused by consuming dark-coloured foods/beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, and curry. Tobacco products can also cause extrinsic discolouration. Minor extrinsic stains can be quickly erased with regularly practiced dental hygiene at home and visits to your local dentist. On the other hand, stubborn extrinsic stains require more diligent efforts, like professional teeth whitening in Toronto.
Intrinsic stains are deeper stains that develop on the inner layer of teeth (dentin). These stains are more difficult to remove than superficial enamel stains but can be removed with professionally dispensed whitening treatments carefully supervised by the best dentists in Toronto. Intrinsic discolouration is commonly caused by excessive fluoride use, certain medications, trauma and aging.
At You Neighbourhood Dentists, teeth whitening treatments use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as the active ingredient. Research shows that these chemicals are effective and safe for teeth as long as they are not overused or misused. Since teeth are porous, your enamel and dentin can easily absorb peroxide-containing teeth whitening gels. Peroxide whitens your teeth by oxidizing the enamel to remove the stains and debris. The result is a whiter, brighter, and more vibrant smile.
Teeth Whitening Solutions Near You
Treatments for teeth whitening in Toronto are available to satisfy every budget, time frame and temperament at our local dental clinic. Three primary teeth whitening options are available which vary based on the peroxide concentration, treatment frequency, and application times.
In-Office Whitening
In-Office Whitening is executed by the team of Davisville or Eglinton dentists at Your Neighborhood Dentist. Before teeth whitening treatment begins, your gums will be protected. A high-concentration peroxide gel is carefully and strategically placed on the surface of your teeth, where it will stay for 15 to 20-minute intervals. The gel will be applied to your teeth for up to an hour. If the stains are stubborn, your dentist will recommend scheduling additional sessions or providing you with a take-home teeth whitening kit to accelerate results.
Professionally Dispensed Take-Home Kits
Some of the best dentists in Toronto believe that take-home whitening kits provided by dental professionals support optimal long-term results. Take-home teeth whitening kits from Your Neighbourhood Dentist still contain a peroxide gel, but at a lower concentration that is easier and safer to use without supervision from an Eglinton dentist. Because of the reduced intensity of the gel, some people are instructed to wear the gel for more extended periods of time or even overnight. The take-home teeth whitening kits are applied on the teeth with custom trays resembling mouth guards, which are slipped onto the surface of your teeth to minimize the transfer of product onto your gums.
Over-the-Counter Products
The lowest cost and most readily available teeth whitening option, over-the-counter products include a peroxide gel with a concentration lower than that of the professionally dispensed kits. The gel is applied to the teeth via one-size-fits-all trays, whitening strips strips or paint-on applicators.
While the best dentists in Toronto will typically refrain from recommending over-the-counter teething whitening products because of the potential risks, the kits are generally considered safe for teeth when the instructions are followed closely. So, if a patient insists, we will provide detailed instructions on how to maximize your results to prevent the following:
- Sensitivity: Whitening often causes a temporary increase in tooth sensitivity to temperature, pressure and touch. While this is most likely to occur during in-office whitening, where a higher concentration of peroxide is used, sensitivity can also occur with take-home kits and is considered normal. The patients who are at the more significant risk of sensitivity from teeth whitening in Toronto are those with large cracks in their teeth or leaks from faulty restoration. Fortunately, the sensitivity that occurs due to peroxide whitening treatments only lasts for a few days, though it can sometimes continue for a few weeks. If you experience sensitivity following teeth whitening in Toronto, we recommend using a toothpaste designed to manage sensitivity for two weeks prior to whitening and following treatments.
- Gum irritation: Many people experience some degree of gum irritation resulting from peroxide concentration or from contact with the trays. Irritation tends to last a few days but will eventually dissipate once the treatment is completed or when the concentration of peroxide is reduced.
- Uneven colour: Bonding, crowns and veneers do not whiten, so when at-home teeth whitening kits are done without consultation from a professional dentist, you may notice that your natural teeth are whiter and brighter while veneers and crowns don’t change colour. Before purchasing kits for teeth whitening in Toronto at your local drugstore, consult with the dental team at Your Neighbourhood Dentists.
Maintaining Your Teeth Whitening Results
Once you feel confident in the colour of your teeth, the next order of business is maintaining your brilliant smile. To extend the longevity of whitened teeth, we recommend you schedule touch-up treatments as needed. Limit consumption of foods that stain, such as soda, red wine, tea, coffee, tobacco, or even foods with dyes. It helps to drink dark-coloured beverages using a straw, so the liquid bypasses your teeth. The best way to maintain your whitened teeth is with a robust oral hygiene routine complete with brushing, flossing, and semi-annual dental exams and cleanings at Your Neighbourhood Dentists.
Get a Smile You Love
