If you want a brighter smile, you may consider using a teeth whitening treatment. There are over-the-counter options like whitening strips and whitening toothpaste, but the most effective way to whiten your teeth is with professional treatment. Your dentist can help you achieve whitening results that work for you. Most commonly, your dentist will set you up with a take-home whitening kit. These take-home kits use whitening trays to hold a bleaching agent that removes stains from your teeth. In today’s blog, we cover how, exactly, these teeth whitening trays work.

Teeth Whitening Trays Are Worn at Home on Your Time

At-home whitening is convenient, and it can be performed on your own time, which is what makes it such a popular option. Your dentist will take measurements of your teeth and give you a custom-fitted whitening tray, made of plastic. The tray holds a bleaching agent and fits comfortably around your teeth so that the bleaching agent makes contact all around. You’ll typically leave the trays in for an hour or two each night, and over the course of a couple weeks, you’ll likely see a huge improvement in the brightness of your smile.

Bleaching Agents Remove Pigment from Your Teeth

The key to whitening trays is the bleaching agent that you apply inside of them. The bleaching agent is what removes unwanted pigment from your teeth. This pigment is accumulated over time from the food you eat, the drinks you drink, and lifestyle habits like smoking. As the pigment aggregates and becomes trapped beneath the surface of your teeth, it creates the yellowing that you notice. While pigmentation can be frustrating, consistent whitening treatment can remove the blemish from your smile.

Not All Bleaching Agents Are Made Equal

There are over-the-counter whitening kits that you can purchase from the drugstore, but often, these kits don’t deliver the level of results you’re after. That’s because the bleaching agent in these products isn’t as strong as the one your dentist can provide. The same goes for whitening toothpastes. These products may work for some patients, and if you’re one of those patients, that’s great! However, if you’ve tried these whitening agents and been frustrated by the results, it’s time to work with your dentist.

Choose Teeth Whitening at Cedar Dental

If you’re ready for strong teeth whitening results, reach out to Dr. Ruggiero at Cedar Dental. During your cosmetic consultation, you’ll be able to discuss your goals and create a treatment timeline that works for you. Teeth staining doesn’t have to hold you back, and whitening trays can deliver serious results. Learn more about teeth whitening trays by contacting Cedar Dental in Cedar Rapids, IA at 319-364-7108.