Chicago, Lakeview Teeth Whitening
Your smile is your trademark. Having a brighter, healthier looking smile can leave a lasting impression of youth, vitality and great overall health. Years of living life however, can take a toll on the natural color of your teeth. Coffee, dark liquids, smoking and aging are a few of the culprits that can cause your teeth to yellow over time. The good news is that professional teeth whitening can revitalize and rejuvenate your pearly whites. At Belmont Dental Care we offer both in-office and at-home teeth whitening options to Chicago-Lakeview residents.
Causes of tooth discoloration
Tooth discoloration is often preventable by watching what we eat and drink. Dark liquids and foods play a large part in staining the enamel of our teeth. However, we realize that completely avoiding dark foods and beverages in our diet is highly unlikely. Still, if you’re looking for some simple things you can do at home to keep your teeth white, try these simple items:
Even if we followed the above items every day of our lives, there is still no guarantee our smiles will shine. This is where professional teeth whitening services come in handy.
In-office teeth whitening
In-office teeth whitening or “power bleaching” is the fastest and most effective method of short term whitening. At Belmont Dental Care we use ZOOM® power bleaching gel to whiten teeth in as little as one appointment. The procedure is safer for the gums than at-home treatments, as it is performed in a controlled environment. In-office treatments are generally preferred by patients that want a bright smile in the shortest time frame possible. The downside to in-office treatments is that it does not prevent future staining and can be slightly more expensive. Multiple visits may also be necessary for the desired level of whiteness.
Opalescence® at-home whitening treatments
Many patients like the ability to whiten their teeth on their own time. This starts with the dentist or hygienist taking impressions of your mouth. Custom made trays are then fabricated from your dental impressions. 
Once the trays are ready, your dentist will provide you with a whitening gel that is sparingly spread around the trays and left in for a short period of time. The dentist or assistant will provide a brief explanation of how to use the Opalescence teeth whitening system so that your treatments are safe and effective.
As opposed to-over-the counter whitening systems, custom made trays help ensure that gel does not leak and cause gum irritation and/or a less effective treatment.
Which method is best for me?
The quickest and longest lasting method of teeth whitening is a combination of in-office and at-home treatments. The in-office whitening systems are a quick and effective method for whitening your teeth, while at-home treatments can provide a long lasting effect. Make sure to consult your dentist before using any over the counter whitening products and be safe with your at-home treatment systems!