Teeth Whitening – Rockledge, FL
Whiter Teeth, Brighter Smiles
We’ve all seen the commercials for toothpastes, mouthwashes, strips, and gels that promise to dramatically brighten your teeth. Now, DIYers are getting in on the trend with recommendations ranging from putting smashed strawberries on your teeth to brushing with charcoal. All of these teeth whiteners have one thing in common - they’re not proven to be effective at all! If you truly want to brighten your smile, visit a trusted dentist like Dr. Sowmya Kumar. She offers a wide range of cosmetic dentistry services that can transform your smile. This includes predictable, professional in-office teeth whitening treatments. Contact Premier Walk-In Dental to schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation in our Rockledge dental office. Dr. Kumar will examine your teeth and help you find the right cosmetic treatment to deliver your dream smile.
Why Choose Premier Walk-In Dental for Teeth Whitening?
- Fast Teeth Whitening In Office
- Skilled Dentist with Years of Experience
- No Appointment Necessary
How Teeth Become Stained
Before we begin with a teeth whitening plan, we’ll need to understand the underlying causes of your dental discoloration. Some tooth stains can be easily removed with the right whitening treatment, but others will need to be addressed with more advanced cosmetic dentistry services like porcelain veneers. Some of the reasons teeth can become stained include:
- Consuming dark colored foods and drinks
- Neglecting regular oral hygiene routines
- White fluorosis stains from consuming too much fluoride during dental development
- Staining caused by taking tetracycline medications during dental development
- Over time, the enamel wears away, revealing the yellow colored dentin tooth layer below
- Some people have naturally brighter teeth and others have naturally darker tooth coloring
How Teeth Whitening Works
Tooth staining can be lifted like other types of stains caused by the oxidization process. This chemical response causes many negative effects like rust, rot, and wrinkles. However, it can also create positive results like lifting stains out of clothes and even off your teeth. Most teeth whitening treatments use hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. When applied to teeth, this active ingredient oxidizes, penetrating deep into the porous surface of your tooth enamel and lifting away stains. Saliva is a neutralizing agent, and it will work against the whitening peroxide. That’s the main reason over the counter teeth whiteners are ineffective. The application process does not prevent the saliva from immediately neutralizing the whitening gel.
The In-Office Teeth Whitening Process
In-office whitening is the safest and fastest way to brighten your smile. The process is simple. First, we need to protect your lips, gums, and other soft tissues, so we place guards that completely isolate the teeth. Then, we dry the teeth and apply a thin layer of the active teeth whitening gel. We allow the gel to work for about twenty minutes. We’ll check the progress at this point and reapply as necessary to achieve your desired tooth shade. Once we’ve achieved your teeth whitening goal, we will likely apply topical fluoride to prevent dental sensitivity.
Benefits of In-Office Teeth Whitening
Patients who choose to whiten their smiles with a professional in-office treatment experience numerous benefits, including:
- A smile up to 10 shades brighter in about an hour
- Safe, effective application by a dental professional
- Personalized treatment guaranteed to deliver the desired result
- Fluoride or other treatments to prevent dental sensitivity before it even starts
Maintaining Your Teeth Whitening Results
Want the results of your teeth whitening treatment to last? Then make sure that you:
- Limit your consumption of dark-colored foods, like soy sauce and blackberries
- Use a straw when drinking coffee, wine, juice, and soda
- Avoid unhealthy dental habits, like smoking
- Use a fluoridated toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush twice a day
- Floss and rinse with mouthwash each evening
- Get a dental checkup and teeth cleaning twice a year
Teeth Whitening FAQs
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Treatment Take?
An in-office whitening treatment usually only takes an hour. One of the biggest perks is that your smile will be considerably brighter by the time you leave. In fact, it’s possible for us to lighten the shade of your teeth by eight shades in a single visit!
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
No, your teeth whitening treatment will not hurt. With that said, it is normal to experience some slight (and temporary) sensitivity afterward. If you’re concerned about this, don’t hesitate to talk to our team! We can take a number of steps to help prevent any discomfort from surfacing, including spacing out your appointments and recommending a desensitizing toothpaste to use in the meantime.
What’s the Difference Between Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening?
There isn’t just one difference; there are several! Perhaps the most noteworthy one is the process. While store-bought kits contain diluted brightening agents and one-size-fits-all applicators, professional treatments include powerful whitening gels and are applied by a dental professional. It’s also worth noting that OTC products don’t consider the source of your stains, if you have any existing dental work, or anything else unique to your smile. In short, professional teeth whitening is the better choice of the two, even if it requires a higher upfront investment.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?
Since dental crowns are crafted from dental materials, like porcelain, they do not respond to teeth whitening treatments like your natural teeth. That’s why it’s so important that we consider any existing dental work – from fillings to veneers – when creating your treatment plan. That way, we can ensure that the end result is a uniform, bright, and beautiful smile.
How Long Will My Teeth Whitening Results Last?
Usually, the results last anywhere from three to six months. However, your teeth will stay bright and beautiful for significantly longer if you take good care of them. That includes brushing twice a day, visiting your dentist twice a year for a checkup and cleaning, and eating lots of light-colored foods, like scrambled eggs and plain yogurt.
