If you're thinking about getting your teeth whitened, you may be wondering, "How does teeth whitening work?" Learn about the process here!

Maybe you have a wedding coming up? Perhaps you're trying to make a good impression at a job interview? In any case, you're thinking about whitening your teeth.

But before you do, you want to make sure that you're making the right choice. Fortunately, we know a thing or two about teeth whitening and can help you with that. Not only are we going to answer the question, "how does teeth whitening work?", but we're also going to get into the specifics of professional teeth whitening.

Ready? Let's go!

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

The stains on teeth come in two types: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic stains exist on the outside of the tooth enamel. Intrinsic stains exist within the teeth enamel, and sometimes as deep as the dentin.

In many cases, extrinsic stains can be eradicated with the help of whitening toothpaste and other such products. It's the intrinsic stains that are more difficult to get to.

This is where teeth whitening comes in. A professional teeth whitening procedure enables a high-powered whitening solution (hydrogen peroxide is common) to make its way into the enamel of the teeth. Once there, it reacts with the intrinsic stains, breaking their bonds, and spreading whiteness throughout the entirety of each tooth.

Although professional teeth whitening isn't 100% effective, it's extremely close, especially for those whose teeth are already relatively white. If your teeth are yellowed, you'll still receive substantial positive results from teeth whitening, but will likely still suffer some staining.

In any case, don't feel ashamed to undergo a whitening procedure. Teeth staining is common, and there's nothing wrong with wanting to look good.

Types of Teeth Stains

Tooth discoloration comes about due to staining. Stains are caused by everything from specific foods to specific beverages to a lack of dental hygiene and more. The most prominent types of teeth stains include the following.

Extrinsic Stains

As was noted above, extrinsic staining is staining that occurs on the surface of the teeth. It occurs when pigmented particles get caught under the protein film that builds over the tooth enamel. It's most commonly caused by the regular use of tobacco, wine, or soda, though it can be caused by other foods as well.

Extrinsic stains can often be removed with the regular use of whitening toothpaste. Note, though, that that's not always the case.

Intrinsic Stains

Intrinsic stains form due to small cracks in the tooth enamel. Brightly pigmented particles work their way through these cracks, staining the inside of the tooth. Like extrinsic stains, intrinsic stains are often caused by soda, wine, and tobacco consumption.

These stains are much more difficult to remove, as it's difficult for whitening toothpaste to reach them. That said, with the use of high-powered whitening agents, this type of tooth discoloration can be eliminated.

Aging Stains

As you age, the enamel of your teeth grows thinner. At the same time, the dentin of your teeth becomes more yellow. This, combined with any intrinsic staining that your teeth might have incurred, leads to a fairly noticeable staining effect.

In most cases, teeth whitening will help in reducing age-related stains. If you're interested, inform your dentist. He or she will help you determine whether you're a viable candidate.

White Stains

One more type of stain that you'll need to look out for is the white stain. White stains on teeth are caused by a variety of factors, from poor hygiene to too much fluoride exposure to eating bad foods and more. Fortunately, they can be combated.

Generally speaking, professional teeth whitening alone will help to do away with these stains. However, in other cases, procedures like enamel microabrasion might be needed. In any case, if you're dealing with white stains on teeth, your dentist can help you.

Who's a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

The vast majority of patients are good candidates for professional teeth whitening. That said, in order to undergo the procedure, you must have reasonably healthy gums. In addition, you shouldn't have too many fillings or restorations (you can still undergo the procedure, but the synthetic portions of your teeth might not match up with your authentic teeth).

There are some individuals who are strictly forbidden from undergoing professional teeth whitening. These individuals include pregnant women and kids under 16 years of age.

You might also want to avoid teeth whitening if you have sensitive teeth or are allergic to the whitening solution. Ask your dentist about whether or not you are.

How Much Does a Professional Teeth Whitening Cost?

Though prices can fluctuate, generally speaking, professional teeth whitening costs somewhere between $500 and $1,000. The exact price is dependent on the dentist you see as well as the area in which you're located. Teeth whitening procedures in high-cost-of-living areas are bound to cost more than those in low-cost-of-living areas.

Now, you might be thinking: that's kind of expensive. Fortunately, you don't have to pay it all at once. There are financing options available.

One option, of course, is to put it on a credit card. If you use a card with a 0% intro APR, you could get away with paying no interest.

Another option is to get on a payment plan through your dentist. Many dentists offer payment plans with low-interest rates. These will enable you to pay over time by incurring just a small fee each month. Ask your dentist what's available to you - you might get a better deal than you realize.

Looking for the Best Teeth Whitening in Painted Post, NY?

Now that you have an answer to "how does teeth whitening work?", you might be ready to undergo a whitening procedure yourself. If so and if you're looking for the best teeth whitening in Painted Post, NY, specifically, we here at Finger Lakes Family Dental are the people to see.

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