Teeth Whitening Services in North Barrington, IL

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

The main chemicals used in teeth whitening are hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. These whitening agents are effective because they break down stains on your teeth at the molecular level, unlike whitening toothpaste, which only works on surface-level stains.

Teeth Whitening at Your Dentist’s Office

The most dramatic difference in the shade of your teeth will come from whitening at your dentist’s office. One main reason for this is that dentists are able to use a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide than you will find in whitening strips or take-home kits. During your in-office whitening session, you and your dentist will take a look at the current shade of your teeth and discuss what your results might look like. Our dentists will polish your teeth and remove any visible plaque. Then, a specially made rubber shield will be placed inside your mouth to protect your gums from being damaged by the chemicals. The chemical will be applied and left on your teeth for a while to allow it to take effect. Then, you will rinse your mouth and check out your bright smile! You might need a few sessions with our dentists to achieve the exact shade you want.

In-office teeth whitening is the safest and most effective way to achieve a whiter smile, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us today at Lakeside Dental. Our priority is providing our patients with a comfortable and pain-free experience, whether we are whitening your teeth, cleaning them, or getting you set up for invisible aligners.

At-Home Whitening Strips and Kits

Although you will achieve the best teeth whitening at your dentist’s office, some people choose to brighten their smile from the comfort of their own homes. You can do this through over-the-counter whitening strips, kits, toothpaste, and gels. Brands like Snow have popularized at-home teeth-whitening kits. Teeth whitening kits typically come with several treatments, and it will take a while for you to see the results you want when you use these products. Snow teeth whitening kits come with a specially made whitening gel and an LED mouthpiece that activates the chemical. Strips are also a common way to whiten teeth. A small amount of the whitening chemical is placed on a plastic strip, which is placed over the teeth for a period of about 30 minutes. When the time is up, the strip is discarded. Although strips might be the most convenient option to work with, results won’t be as dramatic as you’d like. This is mostly because strips contain a very low concentration of the whitening agent.