Pop Quiz! Teeth-Whitening

November 1, 2018

It’s pop quiz time! Do you feel confident that you know all there is about whitening your teeth? Do you want to learn some knowledge to quiz your friends and family? Today’s pop quiz has some hard questions, but it also has an answer key with tons of information! Remember that your dental team at E-Care Dentistry in Olathe, Kansas is here to help you with all of your dental needs! 

Questions:

  1. Can all tooth stains be removed by a professional whitening treatment?
  2. Is activated charcoal a good DIY whitening solution?
  3. Can a professional whitening treatment be done at home?

Answer Key:

  1. Answer: No, not all stains can be removed through a whitening treatment. Even a professional-grade whitening treatment cannot remove signs of discoloration that come from beneath the surface of teeth. Some discoloration is caused by tooth trauma beneath the enamel. In order to get the teeth whiter and brighter, the enamel may need to be covered up with another type of cosmetic dentistry treatment. Cosmetic bonding can be a good solution if just one or two teeth have discoloration. Porcelain veneers can be a good solution with an entire smile of stains.
  2. Answer: No, activated charcoal can be too abrasive for teeth. While the teeth may initially look whiter, over time a duller appearance may appear because the enamel is actually being eroded by the abrasive solution. Your dentist is a great resource for whitening your smile so that erosion and sensitivity can be monitored.
  3. Answer: Yes, your dentist can create a customized take-home kit for you to whiten your smile at home. The mouth tray can be designed around your teeth’s unique curves to give the professional-grade gel access to penetrate every nook and cranny.

Do You Have Questions About Teeth-Whitening?

Our team would be happy to help you get your smile brighter and whiter! For more information, schedule a consultation by calling E-Care Dentistry, PA in Olathe, KS, today at 913-210-1701. We also proudly serve patients from Overland Park, Lenexa, Leawood, Gardner, Spring Hill, Osawatomie, Edgerton, Shawnee, Johnson County, De Soto, Paola, Lawrence, and all surrounding communities.