Whitening vs Bleaching At Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry In Lafayette

Whitening vs Bleaching At Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry In Lafayette

Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dental service that Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry provides in-office or through a take home kit. Results vary, but most patients experience significant lightening that lasts up to a year. Our Lafayette 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 develop 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 some mouthwashes are safe and economical and can illuminate teeth with continued, regular use. The extent of whitening varies, and it takes dedicated,  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 Boulder men and women with sensitive teeth and gums that can react to products containing harsher whitening chemicals. Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry guides pregnant or nursing mothers to pick the non-bleach whitening products.

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, teeth bleaching should be done in-office by your Colorado cosmetic dentist. Bleaching can frequently 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 Lafayette dentist’s supervision.

Call the state-of-the-art dental care in a comfortable environment team at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry to schedule a consultation!

My name is Dr. Gordon West and I provide quality dental care in Lafayette. My practice, Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry, offers the following services:

sedation dentistry
prepless veneers
dental crowns
gum disease treatment


Center for Advanced Dental Care

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 February 6, 2012

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

 

 

Contact Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry:

303-665-5335

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

1140 W South Boulder Rd, Ste 201
Lafayette, Colorado
80026