Professional Teeth Whitening In Toledo & Sylvania
At Our Dental Office in Sylvania
If you are like most people, you probably enjoy at least one of the following products on a daily basis: coffee, tea, wine or soft drinks. While most of us regularly consume these products, they can stain our pearly whites. Other products that have the same effect include tobacco and some medications. Couple these factors with normal aging, and you have just a handful of the culprits that cause serious discoloring and stains on your teeth. While this can be embarrassing, most of us don’t want to give up our daily dose of caffeine. Thankfully, your problems can be washed away with the help of Dental Health Associates.
Our teeth whitening services allow you to enjoy your daily indulgence, while making your smile more attractive!
Cosmetic dentistry has become so advanced that you can now have whiter teeth with minimal effort in the privacy of your own home. There are now advanced teeth whitening products that are effective, attractive, and affordable. A dazzling smile isn’t just for celebrities anymore; it’s for YOU, because you’re worth it! Our dental team can work with you to get the effect you’re after and the “Hollywood Smile” you have always wanted.
More about Professional Teeth Whitening Treatment
In-office professional teeth whitening treatment is quick, convenient and effective. Teeth can look up to eight shades lighter in just a few weeks. Another advantage of professional bleaching is that the dentist can control the concentration of the bleaching agent and supervise treatment to prevent any tooth sensitivity.
Prior to beginning treatment, the teeth are cleaned and examined for any areas of decay or disease. If any decay, cracks or gum disease is detected, the whitening treatment may be delayed until the situation has been addressed (whitening can irritate these conditions). Photographs may be taken of the teeth and the tooth color measured on a special guide to provide a benchmark to assess the whitening progress.
Teeth whitening can be performed on its own for beautiful results, or it can be performed to complement a new set of porcelain veneers or to brighten newly stained teeth after Invisalign treatment. A set of take-home bleaching trays may be provided either to achieve a satisfactory level of whitening or to maintain the results.
Professional Teeth Whitening vs. Over-the-Counter (OTC) Products
There are entire shelves devoted to whitening products at supermarkets and grocery stores. These whitening strips and toothpastes promise visible results, but most can’t deliver that brighter smile you’re looking for at the end of your treatment.
Whitening strips tend to focus on the front six teeth and don’t conform to your teeth properly, causing uneven bleaching and gum irritation. The whitening agents used in OTC strips are often too weak to provide meaningful improvement, but some may be too strong and affect oral health. Tooth sensitivity and tissue irritation are the most common complaints among patients using OTC whitening products.
Whitening toothpaste sounds appealing to many people. Unfortunately, the gel does not come into contact with the teeth long enough to whiten them and washes away when you rinse.
Professional teeth whitening is guaranteed to brighten your smile by several shades. Whether you choose an in-office treatment, customized take-home trays, or a combination of both, professional-grade bleaching agents are safe and effective, providing reliable results that don’t harm your gum tissue or tooth enamel. Going to a dentist for teeth whitening ensures you reach your cosmetic goals for your smile without wasting time on OTC products that may provide little to no improvement.
What to Expect After Teeth Whitening
Cosmetic whitening may cause tooth sensitivity due to the higher concentration of the bleaching agent. However, tooth sensitivity after teeth whitening is mild and temporary. Patients with take-home whitening trays may develop sensitivity two or three days after starting their whitening regimen that resolves a few days after treatment ends.
Most patients experience tooth sensitivity for one to three days after in-office treatment. You can ease discomfort by using a gentle toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth and taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Teeth Whitening Results
Professional teeth whitening makes your teeth several shades whiter. Depending on the starting color of your teeth, it may be unreasonable to expect blindingly white teeth. You may choose to repeat the teeth whitening procedure a few months later to enhance your results further.
You can expect to enjoy your results for about one year. For results that last as long as possible, avoid smoking and drinking beverages that commonly stain the teeth like red wine, coffee, tea, and dark sodas. This advice is especially true in the first few days after your whitening since your teeth are particularly susceptible to staining during this period.
FAQs
Does teeth whitening work on all tooth stains?
Tooth stains may be intrinsic or extrinsic. Extrinsic tooth stains develop on the outer surface layer of your tooth (enamel) and are typically caused by dark-colored foods or beverages, such as coffee, tea, berries, and wine. They may also develop from tobacco use. Teeth whitening works remarkably well in removing extrinsic stains and restoring a brighter smile.
Intrinsic stains develop underneath the tooth enamel on the dentin layer and do not respond to teeth whitening. These deep tooth stains are often caused by tooth injuries, using specific antibiotic medication in childhood, some medical conditions, excessive fluoride treatment during childhood, and genetic disorders. While professional-grade whitening or bleaching agents may improve intrinsic stains, patients may achieve better results by covering the discoloration with porcelain veneers, dental bonding, or dental crowns, depending on the severity.
Will teeth whitening damage my tooth enamel?
Professional teeth whitening through a dentist is a safe way to brighten your smile. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends professional teeth whitening over OTC products for the best results and to preserve teeth and oral tissues. Over-using whitening products can damage tooth enamel and gum tissue if the bleaching agent is too abrasive.
Can teeth whitening work on crowns, bridges, composites, or dental bonding?
Teeth whitening cannot change the color of existing dental restorations. Dental crowns, tooth-colored fillings, porcelain veneers, bridges, and dental implants are all designed to match the shade of your teeth when fitted and cemented in your mouth. If you’re having a smile makeover, our dentists may recommend teeth whitening before placing porcelain veneers or dental crowns, so you can address tooth imperfections and brighten your teeth.
Does teeth whitening hurt?
When performed by our professionals, teeth whitening should not cause any pain or discomfort. We put a guard over your lips and a gel on your gums to protect them from accidentally touching the bleaching agent since that could cause your soft tissue to hurt.
You may notice some mild teeth sensitivity after your treatment, but that should fade within a day or so. Modifying your diet to feature soft foods of a moderate temperature should help you to prevent triggering discomfort. Using toothpaste meant for sensitive teeth helps as well.
Can I whiten my teeth if I have a cavity?
Unfortunately, the chemicals used in the whitening process can cause significant discomfort when they cover a tooth affected by infection/decay. Since teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure, our dentists strongly encourage you to address all dental health issues first.
Contact Dental Health Associates
Teeth whitening at Dental Health Associates really does work like magic! Contact our Toledo Dentists to learn more about our teeth whitening services.