If you need whiter teeth with quick, reliable results, your best option is to make an appointment with your dentist for a safe teeth whitening treatment. This quick process provides a gorgeous appearance in just one or two appointments.
How Teeth Whitening Works
Teeth whitening uses carbamide or hydrogen peroxide to brighten and remove stains. When the dentist applies the whitening gel, peroxide molecules enter the enamel pores and eliminate stains through oxidation. The compound breaks down into harmless oxygen and water.
The Teeth Whitening Process
In-office teeth whitening is a simple process that takes place over one or two appointments. In just one office visit, you can see up to eight shades of whiter teeth.
The first step is protecting your lips, gums, and cheeks from the peroxide gel. Your dentist may use retractors, which are comfortable plastic devices that keep lips and cheeks away from the working area. The dentist then covers your gums with a protective rubber or resin coating.
Your dentist applies the peroxide whitening gel to the forward-facing tooth surfaces. The gel stays in place for up to 15 minutes. It may need activation by a special light. The dentist carefully rinses the gel and may repeat the process up to three times, depending on the level of whitening achieved.
After treatment, your dentist will use a fluoride gel to help remineralize and rehydrate the teeth. This gel also helps reduce sensitivity after the procedure.
You may need to return to the office for one more bleaching session, but many patients achieve the shade they have always wanted in one visit.
At-Home Professional Whitening
In addition to chairside whitening, we also offer at-home professional whitening. This method takes longer than chairside whitening, provides more gradual results, and works with your schedule.
Your dentist will create custom trays with a safe, at-home version of professional whitening gel. You will wear the trays as prescribed during the day or at night. In only a few weeks, you will enjoy a brighter smile.
Benefits of Teeth Whitening
Reduce Signs of Aging
As we age, our teeth naturally become yellow as the outer enamel wears away to reveal the dentin layer underneath. Yellow teeth age a patient's appearance. Fortunately, it is easy to reverse this problem with professional teeth whitening.
Boost Your Self-Confidence
If you're not happy with your teeth, you will feel self-conscious and may not want to have your picture taken or interact in social situations. Whitening your teeth will make you feel like smiling again and may attract personal and professional opportunities.
Improved Oral Health
Teeth whitening may have health benefits, as well as changing one's appearance. It may help eliminate bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease.
Keeping Your Teeth Brighter Longer
Patients with newly whitened teeth should take the following precautions in the first 48 hours:
- Eat foods that are light in color, like bananas, chicken, plain or vanilla yogurt, pears, and cucumbers
- Avoid darkly pigmented food and drink, including tomato sauce, turmeric, red wine, soy sauce, tea, coffee, and berries
- Avoid acidic foods like pickles and citrus
After the first 48 hours, be conscious of bright-colored food and drink in your diet. If you cannot brush after a meal, rinse your mouth well. Dentists advise patients who smoke or use tobacco products to quit to avoid persistent yellow stains.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teeth Whitening
Will whitening harm my teeth and gums?
Professional whitening is safe under a dentist's guidance. As long as the dentist adapts the process, even patients with sensitive teeth can benefit from it.
Is over-the-counter whitening just as good as professional whitening?
Over-the-counter solutions purchased from a major supermarket or pharmacy are safe but weak compared to professional solutions. They may take months or even years to achieve the same level of whitening you can see in one dental visit.
In addition, repeated over-the-counter treatments can damage your teeth and gums. You may spend more on over-the-counter solutions than on one chairside whitening visit.
Call Oak Road Dentistry
Teeth whitening can transform how you feel about your appearance. If you think your teeth could be brighter, please call our Snellville, GA, office at 770-985-9559 to schedule a consultation. We can restore your confidence and make you want to share your smile with the world.