There are a lot of reasons you might want a professional teeth whitening in Winnipeg. You might have a job that requires you to deal with the public directly, where looking your best is important. You might simply be unhappy with the way you look and feel that professional teeth whitening in Winnipeg would improve your smile and self-confidence. No matter why you want to whiten your natural teeth, we can help. There are a lot of teeth whitening options in which you can whiten your teeth and many factors that play into how whitening teeth should be done. When you visit us, we’ll give you advice on all of this - how teeth whitening services can affect your oral health, and more.

teeth whitening before and after

What Gives Natural Teeth Their Colour?

To understand the process of whitening teeth, it’s important to know a little bit about the dental anatomy of teeth. Your teeth are made up of a few different substances and layers; the ones of importance for this topic are tooth enamel and dentin. Enamel is an extremely hard, highly mineralized substance. It’s mostly transparent, but contributes blues, greens, and pinks to the overall colour of the teeth. Dentin, the substance found below the layer of enamel, is naturally a colour somewhere between yellow and brown. These two substances together create the colour of the teeth.

You should note that this means teeth are never naturally a stark white colour; there are always tints of different colours in the overall composition of the teeth. The colour you want your teeth to be should be informed by a number of different aesthetic considerations like the tones of your face and mouth, social expectations for teeth colour, the type of makeup you wear, and more. When you book an appointment with us, your dentist will go over these aesthetic considerations and help you choose a whitening plan that’s right for your goals and budget.

There are other factors that can affect the colour of your teeth, the most common of which is staining. Chemicals from coffee, tea, red wine, chocolate, and other foods can create yellow-brown stains on your teeth. Smoking can also affect natural teeth colouration. The ways in which those surface stains are cleaned differ from how one might treat teeth discolouration caused by worn-down tooth enamel.

At-Home Whitening in Winnipeg MB

At home teeth whitening in Winnipeg can provide a useful, cost-efficient way of whitening teeth. You should always consult with your Winnipeg dentist before starting an at-home routine because certain techniques could interfere with your overall oral health. Also, we know about all the newest and best products on the market and want to share this information with you.

One of the most common at home teeth whitening agents is whitening toothpaste. Toothpaste has two main ingredients: The first is fluoride, which helps protect teeth and prevent cavities and the second is an abrasive, made from rough particles that help remove stains and plaque. Whitening toothpaste uses the same ingredients but the amount of abrasives is increased in order to better polish teeth. You should be cautious about the overuse of whitening toothpaste as it can wear down enamel over time. In addition, your brushing technique and choice of tooth brush can play a role in wearing down your teeth over time.

Whitening strips are another popular over-the-counter method of changing the colour of your natural teeth. These strips contain a bleaching agent, usually hydrogen peroxide, which is an irritant that can cause discomfort and inflammation. That means it’s not rare to experience some sensitivity in the gums and teeth after using whitening strips. This discomfort usually dissipates after a few uses. If the discomfort is severe or long-lasting, discontinue your use of whitening strips and book an appointment with us asap.

There are a few important things to keep in mind before engaging in an at-home whitening routine. The first is that not all discolouration responds to the same treatment in the same way. Surface stains, crowns, teeth that have undergone root canals, and teeth that are stained due to other medical conditions will all respond differently to the various routines. That’s one of the reasons it’s so important to visit us before you start an at-home regime; we’ll point you toward the right products and techniques for your specific needs. 

Other Notes on Whitening Treatments in Winnipeg MB

You should know that professional teeth whitening options aren't a permanent treatment, whether it’s in-office or at home. The best way to keep your teeth looking their absolute best is to keep up with a good oral health routine, keeping your teeth strong, getting rid of stains and plaque, and reducing your risk for cavities. You may also consider adjusting what you ingest; we can get rid of coffee stains, but if you keep drinking coffee, chances are good that the stains will keep coming back! 

There are economic considerations to be made, too. While in-office cleaning with a dentist is the most effective, at-home remedies can cost less. When you come in for a consultation, our team of dentists will do more than just ask you what you want; they’ll find out what your budget is and help you work within both aesthetic and budgetary goals!

Here at East Kildonan Dental Group, our Winnipeg dentists offer a number of different whitening solutions, from those that take a short time in the dental chair to long-term solutions. Our office is open almost every day of the week and accepting new patients. So get in touch with our dental office so we can work together on creating a brighter smile you’ll love.