Bright, white smiles are typically associated with natural beauty and youth. As you age, your teeth can lose their brightness and change color due to factors like smoking, diet, and even certain medications. If you’re looking to revamp your smile, consider the teeth whitening treatments at Kathleen Kujiraoka, DDS, in Kaneohe, HI.

Here, she explains the two main treatment categories.

Bleaching Treatments

Opting for teeth whitening treatments is a simple yet significant investment in your overall appearance. The bleaching process involves an active ingredient that chemically alters the color of your tooth enamel, resulting in a shade as much as seven times whiter than your natural smile.

Bleach employs either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide in varying concentrations to eliminate stains. The treatment can be performed by a family dentist or in the comfort of your own home. It’s worth noting, however, that the bleaching products used by your dentist are far more efficient, effective, and powerful than those you can find at your local pharmacy.

Non-Bleaching Treatments

Though many teeth whitening options do not contain the same ingredients as bleaching treatments, they tend to offer less-visible results. Teeth whitening toothpaste has polishing and chemical agents that can minimize the appearance of surface stains. The abrasion process erases discoloration from tobacco use, as well as stains caused by pigmented foods and beverages. If you have teeth that have become severely discolored or are hoping to achieve more pronounced results, it pays to schedule a teeth whitening treatment with your dentist.

Offering teeth whitening, veneers, crowns, dentures and a full range of general dentistry services, Kathleen Kujiraoka, DDS, provides friendly, professional care and treatments to patients of all ages. Schedule an appointment by calling (808) 235-2121, or visit the practice online for a full list of general and cosmetic dentistry services.