top of page
oral-design-hero-internal.jpg

TEETH WHITENING

A BRIGHTER SMILE

Whitening teeth has become the No. 1 cosmetic dental treatment. The cost is modest, it is not too hard to do (whether at home or in the dental chair), and there is a very wide range of options on the exact shade that can be chosen.

The primary reason so many have turned to products and services to give their teeth a fresh whitening is because so many things discolor them. Coffee, tea, and red wine are the main culprits, especially since we often don’t brush right after drinking them to prevent staining. But other beverages and foods also discolor: colas, fruit juices, blueberries, beets, and sauces and condiments with soy, tomatoes, curry, and balsamic vinegar. Smoking both tobacco and cannabis also darkens teeth.

And some medications and mouthwashes can leave teeth looking browner, while aging and genetics add to the tendency of teeth to seem yellow or dull.

Beautiful Smile

EFFECTIVE OPTIONS

Many have tried getting back to their original brighter smile by using over-the-counter whitening products, but those take a lot of effort and often don’t provide great results. It is easy to get discouraged after weeks of using toothpastes, rinses, pens, strips, or gels promoted for this goal and finding it hard to see any difference.

We can provide more effective options. One is a prescription-strength gel that is stronger than available in stores and a set of custom-fitted aligners to put it in and use for 1-3 hours a day. When you come in for your regular checkup on your overall oral health, we can discuss how well the gel is working and provide more, if needed.

Or if you want results much faster, you can spend an hour in the dental chair watching TV or listening to music after we apply a professional-grade hydrogen peroxide gel. We then activate it by a special light that penetrates the outer enamel surface and the dentin, the layer underneath. This can remove eight layers of darkening and if you want to spend more time, we can brighten your smile by another seven shades.

BOOK A CONSULT

Candidates for professional whitening need to be first examined for tooth sensitivity that might be an issue for the strength of the whitening gel. We also need to check for cavities, periodontal infection, and teeth that may need to be extracted and replaced. Then we have to consider whether the whitening goals match the color of any dental work that has already been done, such as implants, bridges, and crowns.

Make an appointment to find out what plan works best to have a gleaming smile again.

bottom of page