It goes without saying that your smile makes up a huge portion of the impression you make when you meet people, and most people want to ensure that their teeth look their absolute best. One of the easiest ways to present your best smile is by being able to flash pearly white teeth. You may have heard of both teeth whitening and bleaching and wondered what the difference is. as they are often used interchangeably. The answer is pretty simple.

The whitening process restores the natural color of your teeth by removing stains from the surface of the teeth. This can be done in an office or through at-home methods, such as strips. Whiteners are essentially super cleaning agents. They are even found in many toothpastes and mouth rinses. However, the highest quality materials will always be found at a dental office, and professional treatment is the best route to take.

Bleaching, on the other hand, involves whitening the teeth beyond their natural color. The chemical solutions used in such a process contain active ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide. Bleaching should only be done by trained professionals, as certain chemicals are toxic if handled improperly.

Every patient’s teeth are different, and as such, so too will be their needs. However, improving your smile at the dental office ensures the highest quality results in a safe environment. Under the care of a professional, your teeth will be treated with higher-concentrated solutions, which will produce longer-lasting effects. There are different application methods possible, and your dentist will be able to make an appropriate recommendation based on where you’re at and what your goals are.

If you’re interested in brightening your smile and making a lasting impression on all those you meet, there are ways to achieve it. Talk to our Mesa area dentist to determine which option is better for you.