Archive for category: Teeth Whitening

Whitening is one of the most commonly requested aesthetic procedures at the dental office. While there are a wide array of over-the-counter whitening products available to patients today, many do not find that they provide the results they really desire. However, some patients who are looking for minor enhancement may want to consider these as an option. Drs. Stanley Hirst and Bethany Jensen of Broadway Family Dentistry educate patients on the pros and cons of over-the-counter whitening services vs. professional bleaching treatments at the dental office. 

• Over-the-counter whitening products – for patients with mild discoloration, they will often find the results they need with over-the-counter whitening products. This may include whitening toothpastes, whitening strips, or whitening trays. Patients who need touch-ups may also consider the whitening pens that are available.
• Professional whitening services – instead of the DIY way, many patients turn to the help of their dentist for professional services. At Broadway Family Dentistry in Minot, ND, Drs. Stanley Hirst and Bethany Jensen are excited to offer a variety of aesthetic procedures, including professional bleaching. They provide GLO whitening, laser whitening, and even professional-strength whitening trays and gels for home use. These are all stronger in concentration and can provide same-day results for patients who need a fast and effective way to brighten the smile for a special occasion.

Who is a candidate for whitening? 

The best candidates for teeth whitening are patients with dull or discolored smiles that are free from dental restorations such as porcelain veneers, dental crowns, and bridges. This is due to the fact that whitening products cannot whiten restoration made of porcelain, just natural tooth enamel. Whitening the smile with restorations in place will often require the dentist to remove and replace these restorations to match the newly whitened smile—which also requires patients to maintain their results to keep the smile beautiful! 

Are you interested in whitening your smile? 

Over-the-counter whitening products might not work as effective as professional-grade alternatives can. If you reside in the Minot, ND area and are interested in learning more about whitening the smile, the team at Broadway Family Dentistry can help! Call our office at (701) 839-1299 to request an appointment with Drs. Stanley Hirst and Bethany Jensen.            

Did you know that the first day of spring is in March? March 20th marks the official beginning of spring, and we’re already spring cleaning and sprucing up our lives. It’s never a bad time to spend a little extra time working on our goals.
We may think that the practice of making goals only once a year is overkill. Our New Year’s Resolutions seem so far away, but that doesn’t mean that you should just give up and settle. If you’re interested in improving your appearance and your confidence by brightening up your smile, keep reading.

Why should I whiten my teeth?

If you hide your teeth by avoiding smiling or covering them with your hand when you start to smile or laugh, know that you’re not the only one. So many of us are self-conscious about our teeth and with how dull or yellow they have become. The years of drinking coffee, wine, and tea add up, piling on stains that dull our smile.
But, it could be more than surface stains dulling your smile. That’s because, as we age, the enamel on our teeth becomes thinner. This exposes the layer underneath, which is more yellow and called dentin. To add insult to injury, dentin darkens as we get older, which is why you may notice older people with noticeably darker teeth.

Aren’t the whitening strips at the grocery store good enough?

The grocery store offers a lot of necessary items you may enjoy, such as fruit, vegetables, or freshly baked bread. But, when it comes to higher strengths of active ingredients, grocery stores aren’t allowed to offer them.

What do you offer?

We offer two amazing options to help you whiten your teeth. If you’re short on time, an in-office visit can noticeably whiten your smile. In just one hour, we can help you dramatically brighten your teeth! If you’d rather whiten your teeth at home, we can create custom-fit trays to help give you professional results at home.

Call us today at (701) 839-1299 to schedule an appointment to learn more about teeth whitening.

Studies show that individuals with brighter and whiter teeth are seen as more friendly, successful, and attractive. Those with stained teeth are perceived as less confident and not as capable. Whether or not these assumptions are true about the individual, the impact that a healthy white smile can have on your personal and professional life should not be ignored. Let’s address how teeth whitening works and what it can do for you.

The two types of whitening

• Bleaching: When you bleach your teeth you alter the color of the tooth enamel and diminish the appearance of stains both on the surface and deeper in the teeth. Dentists provide in office whitening services or take came whitening kits.
• Whitening toothpastes: These types of toothpastes utilize an abrasive ingredient that will sand away surface stains and provide a polished look to your teeth.

Bleaching

If you opt for an in office bleaching treatment, the dentist may use bleach combined with a laser or special light to hasten the whitening process. These visits can take from 30 minutes up to an hour. Depending on the severity of your teeth discoloration, you may require more than one in office whitening treatment. During the whitening process, the gums will be guarded with a gel or shield. A bleach concentrate will be carefully placed on your teeth and is typically stronger than at home whitening kits.

Over the counter whitening kits generally have a lower bleach concentration than in office whitening treatments. For at home whitening products, the amount of bleach and how long you apply it vary from brand to brand. Bleach products can work well on yellowish teeth. For those with gray colored teeth, bleaching may not be as effective.

Whitening is not permanent, but there are measures you can take to avoid the accumulation of more stains. Avoid foods and beverages that cause stains such as coffee or red wine. Also, be sure to regularly get your teeth cleaned and polished by your dentist.

Arrange a consultation

If you are interested in what teeth whitening can do for you smile this New Year, contact Broadway Family Dentistry in Minot, North Dakota. You can reach our team at (701) 839-1299. We look forward to helping you achieve a whiter and more confident smile this year!