The Most Powerful Method for Brightening Your Stained, Dark-Looking Teeth

REMOVING STAINS FOR BRIGHTER TEETH
Enjoying sodas or many other stain-producing drinks during the day may help keep you awake, but it’s not helping your smile. Years of stains from dark-colored foods and drinks can cause discolored smiles. Even consistently brushing and flossing morning and night still may not be enough to give you the brilliant smile you're aiming for. Following are some familiar tooth whitening systems at a range of prices, both medical-grade and at-home kits, to help you obtain a brighter smile that will create a buzz in Houston, TX.

IT ALL BEGINS WITH EFFECTIVE BRUSHING
Consistently flossing, brushing, and using mouthwash is a good place to begin. Also, it's smart to bring a travel-sized oral hygiene kit in your bag or backpack to use at work or school. Any time you visit the restroom or take a coffee break, give your mouth a quick once over. Beyond boosting your overall oral hygiene, you'll also be helping maintain the appearance of your smile.

DRUGSTORE TEETH BLEACHING CHOICES
If you try an over-the-counter product to whiten your teeth, you may see slightly noticeable changes in color by just using these products in addition to your daily brushing, flossing, and mouthwash regimen. At most department stores and pharmacies in Houston, TX, you can find numerous kinds of tooth brightening options to use at home, like whitening mouthwash, activated charcoal, and gels containing hydrogen peroxide. You should always follow the instructions on the packaging.

• TEETH WHITENING STRIPS OR PENS
  A lot of retailers and pharmacies have a large selection of types of whitening pens and strips. The bleaching strips are easily placed on your teeth and can be fairly hard to detect. The bleaching pen enables you to strategically apply a gel to your teeth after they are clean and dry. Once you have carefully applied the strip or solution to your teeth, make sure to let them set for as long as instructed on the box.
• ORAL TRAYS WITH BRIGHTENING GEL
  Universal-fit teeth whitening kits with dental trays can be found in several types of stores, and many have a similar look as the tray systems used at a dental practice. One of the major differences between over-the-counter and professional whitening kits is the individualized fit. The mouth trays in a nonprofessional whitening system may feel uncomfortable or might cause spotty results. Also, the hydrogen peroxide gels in store-bought systems aren't designed for your unique goals, so you might develop tooth sensitivity or other problems.
• BLEACHING SYSTEMS WITH LIGHTS
  To enhance the results from some tooth bleaching gels or strips, you can buy a special type of light. LED mouthpieces need to be inserted in the mouth after you have put on your brightening gel or strips. These special devices have a specific application time and must be used exactly as stated in the directions.

SINCE STORE-BOUGHT OPTIONS WORK, DO I REALLY NEED TO GET AN IN-OFFICE PROCEDURE?
It's important to know that over-the-counter teeth whitening options can't produce the same quality of results compared to teeth whitening sessions given by your dental professional. Nonprofessional kits are lesser strength, so based on your discoloration and whether you have any restorations, etc., your results could be visibly uneven. Further, these products might result in inflamed gums and sensitive teeth. Ask your dental professional about store-bought teeth whitening kits, how they perform compared to treatments they offer in their practice, and whether they would suggest any of them to reduce your particular discoloration.

DENTIST-PERFORMED TEETH WHITENING CHOICES
Twice-yearly dental exams and professional cleanings not only make sure that your teeth and gums are healthy, but they will also help the appearance of your smile. Removing the accumulated debris and bacteria from your teeth is a great way to visibly brighten your smile. If you want more impressive results, ask your dentist about the expert teeth whitening treatments they provide. Your dentist may offer prescription-strength whitening sessions, professional at-home whitening kits, and ceramic veneers for a total smile makeover.

• CUSTOM DIY WHITENING KITS
  For patients who would prefer to whiten in the privacy of home, some dentists provide professional home whitening kits. With customized dental trays and a high-quality whitening solution chosen for your goals, a DIY whitening system from your dentist can provide a much better fit and uniform results. They are just a much better option than store-bought products. Once you've applied the whitening solution to the trays, you put them in your mouth for a specified length of time, as instructed by your dentist. Once the treatment is done, you can remove the trays, rinse them off, and put them away in a safe place. During your next cleaning, you can ask for a refill on your whitening gel. Do not combine store-bought whitening products with your professional systems, since they can degrade the trays. You may use an at-home whitening kit as a stand-alone process or to keep your results after a professional treatment.
• DENTIST-PERFORMED LASER TEETH BLEACHING
  In an in-office laser whitening procedure, your dentist will first brush a high-potency whitening gel onto your teeth and then implement a laser light. The energy from the laser activates the whitening gel to provide the best results. In-office laser whitening is a good choice if you want results in a hurry before a special event or for those who have dental restorations. Some in-office teeth whitening systems can also lessen internal discoloration, which store-bought options can't do.
• CERAMIC VENEERS
  For a full smile makeover to effectively make your teeth whiter and camouflage other cosmetic concerns (like cracks, wide gaps, excessive discoloration, and microdontia), ceramic veneers could be a good treatment. Veneers are tailored to look natural and fit comfortably over the teeth. Your dental practitioner will have to gently shave away a very small amount of your enamel in order to make room for the veneers. As soon as they're in place, you'll have a brand-new smile.

GET YOUR WHITEST, MOST BEAUTIFUL SMILE
Experiencing uneven results or tooth sensitivity from over-the-counter whitening treatments is extremely disappointing. At MINT dentistry in East Houston, we provide custom home whitening kits, in-office treatments, and porcelain veneers. All of these treatments will be customized to achieve your aesthetic goals, so you get amazing results without harming your teeth. Call us to set up a consultation at our office in Houston, TX to find out about all of our professional and at-home whitening options to get a brilliant, sexy smile.