We all like to flash our best smiles for loved ones or during special occasions. So when our teeth are not as white as we would like them, it makes it hard to smile. You should be able to give a bright beautiful smile and teeth whitening will give you the confidence to. Teeth whitening gives your teeth back their natural whiteness and you back the confidence to smile. Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure we offer that is simple to get and easy to maintain.
There are many at-home treatments for teeth whitening but this cosmetic procedure is best performed by one of our skilled dentists. Teeth whitening is a very quick and easy process that will only require one visit to our office. Bleaching is the most commonly used whitening technique since natural teeth that have been yellowed over time respond best to this method. However, we do not recommend bleaching if you have any tooth-colored fillings, caps, crowns, or bonding in your front teeth; bleaching will only make these materials stand out.
Another teeth whitening method is using whitening gel or whitening strips which both can be done by one of our dentists. After having your teeth whitened, your teeth may become sensitive and require special treatment to avoid causing any pain. Using sensitive toothpaste with potassium nitrate will help relieve some of your pain. Our dentists will also recommend chewing gum to produce more saliva to ease your sensitivity and distract yourself from any pain with chewing.
After your teeth have been whitened, we recommend that you avoid things that can cause your teeth to become stained again. There are many reasons your teeth can be stained and they are habits that can be easily avoided. Your teeth can be stained in their surface or by internal discoloration such as:
- Tobacco use (chewed or smoked)
- Drinking or eating pigmented beverages or foods
- Excess fluoride ingestion
- Accumulation of tartar and plaque
- Trauma to your teeth that may cause dark coloration
Some reasons for teeth staining cannot be avoided like the natural aging process or antibiotic tetracycline treatment during your childhood. However, if you avoid the other reasons listed above, your newly whitened teeth should stay white longer. You can start using a straw when drinking pigmented beverages like dark soda, wine, coffee or tea. The longer your teeth stay white, the more you can flash a big beautiful smile.
Teeth whitening will reverse years of staining and yellowing to give you a younger appearance. If you want to take control back of the color of your teeth or get the confidence to smile back, teeth whitening is for you. If you know that your teeth or gums can’t handle any chemical teeth whiten treatments, there are other methods that our team of dentists can discuss with you. Make an appointment today and you’ll be on your way to a brighter, whiter smile!