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There are some people who are perfectly happy knowing that teeth whitening will get them the bright, white results that they want. They don’t really care to know the nitty-gritty of how it works. Then there are some people who love diving into the “how” to understand why the magic happens. As dental professionals, we’re proud to say we’re in the second category. If you are too, then this blog post is for you! Let’s explore what is really going on during a teeth whitening procedure.
To understand how teeth whitening works, it’s important to understand how teeth get stained in the first place. There are a couple of different ways this can happen. Extrinsic teeth stains are when particles from staining agents like tobacco or certain foods and drinks build up over your tooth enamel. These are compared to intrinsic stains, which occur when the staining happens below the surface. Since tooth enamel is porous, the staining agents can also make their way into the enamel.
When you go to get your teeth whitened, the active ingredient in the treatment will most likely be carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. These work to essentially “break down” stains by breaking up the compounds that cause the stain. These bleaching agents can penetrate the pores in teeth to tackle both surface and deeper level stains. Resulting in less pigmentation, you’ll be left with whiter teeth.
Every patient’s case is unique when it comes to teeth whitening, so it’s always a good idea to consult Dr. J before getting the procedure done. He’ll be able to customize your treatment to your specific needs, depending on what kind of stains you have and how severe they are.
Interested in getting a brighter smile? Scenic Bluffs Dental is here to help! At our Prescott, WI dental office, we are happy to provide professional teeth whitening as part of our comprehensive services. Call us today to set up your whitening consultation!
Scenic Bluffs Dental is headed by the husband and wife duo, Dr. Jay Feuillerat and Dr. Samantha Clare. Dr. Feuillerat earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, where he also received special recognition for his outstanding work in both prosthodontics and endodontics. His continued education includes completion of a Postgraduate Program in Contemporary, Esthetic and Implant Dentistry offered through the University of Minnesota and advanced courses in digital dentistry and endodontic techniques.
Dr. Clare received her DDS degree from the University of Minnesota. She has completed numerous continuing education opportunities, including a Postgraduate Program in Contemporary, Esthetic and Implant Dentistry, the DOCS course in Adult Sedation Dentistry, the Wisconsin-based Restorative Driven Implants course, and many other hands-on clinical sessions with the Zimmer and Spear Institutes.