With the holidays around the corner, we often have people asking about achieving brighter smiles. Whether you’re preparing to see family or attend an office holiday party, you want your smile to look its brightest. We can help brighten your smile with professional teeth whitening and other cosmetic treatment options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teeth Whitening and Brighter Smiles
Question: What causes teeth stains?
Answer: Discoloration can form for a variety of reasons, such as consuming drinks with dark pigments, eating sugary foods that lead to plaque buildup, and smoking. Other causes can include injury to the tooth, fluorosis, and exposure to tetracycline at a young age. Once we determine the cause (and assess the severity) of your discoloration, we can recommend treatment.
Question: How does teeth whitening work?
Answer: We actually have two different options. Our in-office whitening involves coating the teeth in a bleaching gel and using a light to activate it, lifting stains in a single visit. We can also send you home with a set of custom-made trays and a bleaching gel. You fill the trays with gel and wear them for about one or two hours each day over a period of one to two weeks. Both options can help remove stains and reduce the risk of sensitivity, which often occurs with store-bought systems.
Question: Will I need veneers?
Answer: In some cases, the discoloration may be severe enough that it doesn’t respond to our whitening options. These may be caused by injury, tetracycline use, or fluorosis. However, we can mask them with a lifelike restoration known as a veneer, which is placed over the front of the tooth.
Question: How do I keep my new smile bright?
Answer: After treatment, simply cut back on drinks with dark pigments (coffee, soda, tea) and avoid smoking. You should also brush twice a day and floss once a day. Finally, make time every six months for a cleaning. These simple steps can reduce the severity of future teeth stains.
