Teeth can become discolored or stained over time. It may be due to smoking, taking certain medications or consuming tooth-staining beverages and foods. Teeth whitening is an excellent choice for patients who otherwise have healthy teeth and gums. Dr. Mahallati offers an in-office procedure to whiten teeth or can provide a teeth whitening program for home use. Get that beautiful smile you’ve always wished for!
Is it painful to have my teeth whitened?
Most home tooth whitening kits feature hydrogen peroxide, which is known to cause tooth whitening sensitivity for some people. When whitening your teeth, it’s important to be aware of the two key factors that impact the level of sensitivity you experience: Peroxide level and application time. As a general rule, if you have teeth sensitive to whitening, stay with products that have lower peroxide levels (around five to six percent) and shorter application times (five minutes an application).
How many dental visits do I need to have before my teeth are whitened?
Most commonly it requires one dental visit to have teeth professionally whitened in the dental office. However, at-home teeth whitening products requires daily repeated intervals of time using dental trays and whitening gel prepared by the dentist. Everyone wants a beautiful, bright smile. But as age, our smile can lose its sparkle as our teeth become stained by what we eat and drink, along with other lifestyle choices. But it doesn’t have to be that way — teeth whitening treatments put that pop back in your smile.
What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening lightens the color of your teeth by removing discoloration and stains. Whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures because its results are immediate and make such a difference in your smile.
What causes tooth staining?
Teeth become less bright as a natural consequence of aging. They also become yellow and stained from tobacco use, drinking dark-colored beverages like coffee and tea, and poor oral hygiene. Even certain antibiotics, tetracycline, in particular, can stain your teeth.
What are my teeth whitening options?
When it comes to teeth whitening, you have two options: in-office teeth whitening or at-home care.
- In-office teeth whitening delivers faster results than at-home treatments. In-office whitening makes use of a peroxide-based bleaching agent and is often activated with a special light that quickens the whitening process. In-office teeth whitening delivers the most dramatic results — your teeth can be three to eight shades whiter after treatment. Visits are quick, usually lasting only 30 to 60 minutes.
- At-home teeth whitening can be done using teeth whitening strips and gels, tray-based whitening systems, or whitening toothpaste.
- Tray-based teeth whitening systems feature a tray that looks like a mouth guard. The tray is filled with a peroxide-based bleaching gel. It is placed over the teeth for several hours per day for a maximum of four weeks.
- Tray-based systems are custom-fitted by the dentist.
- Teeth whitening strips and gels are applied to the teeth once or twice a day for a period of 10 to 14 days.
- Tooth whitening toothpaste not only remove stains from teeth like every other toothpaste, but they also have chemicals or polishing agents that scrub stains from your teeth without the help of a bleaching agent. Your teeth can become one shade whiter with tooth whitening toothpaste.
How do I maintain my teeth whitening results?
Good oral hygiene — brushing and flossing every day — is the best way to keep your teeth white. But if you really want to extend your whitening, you can avoid acidic foods and beverages, as well as those rich in tannins. Coffee, black teas, red and white wine, sports drinks, carbonated beverages, berries, and sauces are among the foods and beverages you would need to avoid. But if you still want to live and have sauces, raspberries, red wine, and coffee, it’s easy to simply make whitening a repeating part of your dental hygiene routine.
Why should I consult a dentist about teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening can make your teeth sensitive temporarily. For people with sensitive teeth, the procedure can be uncomfortable. Plus, home kits can burn your gums if not used properly. Teeth whitening works best for individuals who have yellow teeth; it is less effective for those with brown teeth. Bottom line, to get the best whitening results you should consult with your dentist first and together choose the option that works best for you.
