Do You Have Questions About Teeth Whitening?

Patients often approach us about the brightness of their smile. We understand that most people prefer to have a brighter smile, this can improve confidence and help you make a great a first impression. In order to remove discoloration, we offer two different forms of teeth whitening. Do you have questions about our teeth whitening options? Which one is right for you?

Frequently Asked Questions About Teeth Whitening

Question: What causes stains to form?

Answer: Surface stains, also known as extrinsic staining, form due to sugary foods and drinks containing dark pigments, such as soda, coffee, tea, red wine, and even some fruit juices. Smoking can also lead to extrinsic discoloration. Intrinsic teeth stains, which form in the dentin below the enamel, may be caused by injury to the teeth, fluorosis, or the use of tetracycline at a young age. The type of discoloration plaguing your smile will impact which treatment we recommend.

Question: What can I do to prevent further discoloration?

Answer: After treatment, you will want your new results to last. While you can’t avoid teeth stains completely, you can take steps to lessen their severity. We recommend brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing before bed at night, and having your teeth professionally cleaned once every six months. You should also cut back on sugary foods and drinks, as well as drinks with dark pigments.

Question: How does in-office whitening work?

Answer: We coat the teeth in a powerful bleaching gel, which is then activated with a curing light. The stains are lifted from the teeth in a single visit. We often use this option for extrinsic discoloration.

Question: Can you brighten smiles from home?

Answer: Yes. You will receive a bleaching gel and a set of trays. You will wear the gel-filled trays for an hour or two daily over the course of one to two weeks. We can target surface stains and even minor intrinsic discoloration with at-home whitening.