Discover the Advantages of Teeth Whitening

Maintaining bright and white teeth requires brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting the dentist every six months for cleanings. Despite these efforts, teeth may not always stay as white as desired.

While age and genetics play a role in tooth color, lifestyle choices also have a significant impact. Diet and oral hygiene are key factors, with beverages like tea, coffee, and red wine known to stain teeth. Tobacco use is a major contributor to yellow, brown, or gray teeth.

For those seeking a brighter smile, consulting with a dentist about teeth whitening is recommended. Professional whitening options, such as in-office treatments or take-home kits, typically provide better results than over-the-counter products.

What is Teeth Whitening?

Improving the appearance of your smile can be easily achieved through teeth whitening. Factors such as aging, genetics, diet, and smoking can cause teeth to become discolored over time. Teeth whitening treatments penetrate the enamel of the teeth to break up the compounds that cause stains, resulting in a brighter smile. Consuming beverages like coffee, tea, cola, red wine, and smoking can contribute to teeth stains.

Teeth Whitening Services Available in Our Office

Although whitening toothpastes and drugstore kits can help maintain the brightness of your teeth, professional teeth whitening from a dentist will provide the quickest and most noticeable results for your smile. With access to a stronger form of peroxide, we can whiten your teeth by several shades in just one hour! If you have a special event coming up and need a brighter smile fast, our in-office whitening is the perfect solution.

Could I Be Considered a Suitable Candidate for in-office Teeth Whitening?

Not everyone is a suitable candidate for in-office teeth whitening. If you have gum disease or sensitive teeth, the stronger peroxides used in the dental office may worsen your condition. A custom take-home whitening kit, designed to avoid contact with your gums and with a lower concentration of peroxide, may be a better option for you.

Whitening may not be effective for everyone. Patients with crowns, veneers, or bonded teeth cannot have those restorations whitened. Additionally, teeth that are stained brown or gray are less likely to respond well to whitening compared to yellow teeth. In these cases, veneers or crowns may be a better alternative to achieve a brighter smile.

Overview of the Procedure

The initial step in a professional teeth whitening appointment involves recording the color of your teeth before treatment. This allows you to track the effectiveness of the whitening process.

Following this, the dentist will take measures to protect your lips, tongue, and gums from the strong whitening agent. To prevent irritation or damage, your gums will be shielded with a rubber dam or a hardening liquid. Additionally, a cheek retractor will be used to keep your lips and cheeks away from your teeth during the procedure.

Once your mouth and face are safeguarded, the peroxide whitening gel will be applied to your teeth in several 15- to 30-minute sessions. Progress will be monitored between each application, and the entire appointment typically lasts around an hour to an hour and a half.

After the treatment is complete, the dentist will assess the color of your teeth post-whitening and determine the number of shades they have changed. If needed, you may be provided with take-home whitening trays to maintain your new smile.

It is normal for your teeth to lose some of their whiteness a few days after an in-office whitening treatment as they recover from dehydration during the process.

Teeth Whitening Kit for Use at Home

If you have been let down by over-the-counter whitening kits, you will see superior results with our custom whitening trays. Our trays are crafted from impressions of your teeth, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit. Unlike store-bought kits, our trays cover all areas of your teeth for a more even whitening effect. Additionally, our trays prevent leakage of whitening gel and minimize gum irritation or pain.