TEETH
WHITENING

People have their teeth whitened on a regular basis so that they can look and feel great. As people age, it is common for teeth to become dull and yellow. This is in part due to age itself and also due to what a person eats and drinks. Drinking coffee, tea and wine, for example, can stain your teeth. Smoking and eating foods that contain food coloring can also stain your teeth. Brushing immediately after eating and drinking can help to prevent stains but is typically not enough to remove the risk entirely. Fortunately, stained and yellow teeth don’t have to stay that way.

In-office whitening can brighten your smile up to 8 shades lighter. That’s 6 shades lighter than store bought whitening products.

There are several types of teeth bleaching that you can try. People typically start by using whitening toothpaste at home. This can help to brighten your teeth but is typically not enough to actually whiten them. We recommend toothpaste as part of an overall teeth whitening treatment but not by itself. After professional whitening, the toothpaste can help your teeth stay bright.

Many people may try over the counter solutions like whitening trays or strips. These treatments work but not as well as professional solutions. As with most things, what you buy in the store is simply not as strong as what you can get from a medical professional. Additionally, store bought whitening trays are designed to fit everyone’s teeth, not your teeth specifically. This means that they can become loose, and the solution can leak, leading to gum irritation.

Our professional tooth whitening solutions can transform the appearance of your teeth in a dynamic way. This is partially due to the strength of the solution that we use. Professional grade whitening gel can whiten teeth by eight shades or more vs. around two shades with store bought solutions. If you are looking for immediate and dramatic results, in-office whitening is a far better option.

Teeth whitening typically takes around 45 minutes to complete. The dentist will educate you about the teeth whitening process prior to applying the whitening solution. This information session might take 15 minutes or so. All in all, the entire appointment will likely last about an hour.

Your teeth will be upwards of eight shades whiter from the initial shade. However, the degree of whiteness hinges on the hue your desire and the level of staining on your teeth. Even the mineral content of your teeth plays a role in determining the whitest possible shade.

There might be a slight feeling of discomfort. However, teeth whitening typically proves painless.

Typically you can expect whitening to last from six months to two years, although some studies report results lasting up to 10 years. Avoiding red wine, coffee, and smoking—all of which can cause staining—helps preserve the results.

Not in our office. Our teeth whitening methods do not cause any short-term or long-term damage to tooth enamel or dentin. We can help ensure to protect your gums during the procedure in our office. Alternatively, if you choose at-home teeth whitening products purchased over-the-counter, there is the potential for the bleaching agent to leak out onto your gums. When in doubt, rely on our dentist for a safe and thorough application.