What is teeth whitening?
Basically, we want whiter teeth, and we need to remove the stains from our teeth. We do this by using a product referred to as tooth whitening.
There are three main ways to whiten your teeth. One method involves over-the-counter products available at Walmart or any drugstore. These products aren't very strong for safety reasons, as they're available without a dentist's assistance.
The second method is also an at-home option but involves products obtained from a dental professional. These are stronger and require more education for safe use.
The third option is in-office tooth whitening, where we apply the whitening treatment directly to your teeth at the dentist's office. This is the most effective method. Prescription-strength whitening from a dental professional is the second-best option, followed by over-the-counter products. Over-the-counter products are effective but may not be the best choice for everyone. Discuss with your dentist to determine the best option for you.
Does teeth whitening damage your teeth?
No, it does not. Our teeth have pores that can become clogged with debris from foods and drinks, such as tea, soda, or red wine. Teeth whitening dissolves the debris in these pores and removes the stains.
How do dentists whiten teeth?
Dentists whiten teeth using two methods: prescription-strength take-home kits and in-office treatments. Prescription-strength kits include stock trays with whitening gel or custom trays made from impressions of your teeth. The in-office treatment is the most effective method.
When you arrive for an in-office treatment, we position your lips to keep them out of the way for comfort and relaxation. We apply a protective liquid to your gums to shield them from the whitening solution, as gums are sensitive to the whitening material. We then apply the whitening gel to your teeth and use a blue light to activate the ingredients. The gel sits for about fifteen minutes before being rinsed off, and we repeat this process for two to four rounds.
The entire procedure takes about an hour and a half to two hours, including setup and in-between times. Patients leave with significantly whiter teeth and great results.
Do LED tooth whitening kits work?
No, over-the-counter and take-home LED whitening kits are not as effective as in-office treatments. The effectiveness lies in the material and product used on your teeth, not the light itself. Home-use products are limited in strength and require a professional for more potent treatments.
What can go wrong with instant teeth whitening at home?
If you're using non-prescription strength whitening at home, it's generally safe, even if it gets on your gums. However, certain mail-delivered products can cause sore spots or gum damage if misused. It's important to use over-the-counter products designed for safety or whiten your teeth under a dental professional's care.
Can dentists whiten teeth permanently?
In theory, whitening results are permanent, but daily habits can stain teeth again. Things like soda, tea, red wine, cigarette smoke, or tobacco products cause stains. While initial whitening provides stability, touch-ups every six months help maintain whiteness. In-office whitening achieves maximum whiteness quickly, with at-home maintenance.
Does teeth whitening have side effects?
Not if done correctly and under a dental professional's care. Whitening may cause temporary sensitivity, which isn't harmful.
Does teeth whitening cause sensitivity?
Yes, most people experience sensitivity, but we can apply a desensitizer to minimize discomfort. Patients rarely report significant sensitivity after treatments.
How can I best retain the results after tooth whitening treatment?
Avoid or minimize exposure to stain-causing foods, drinks, and tobacco products. Prescription-strength whitening touch-ups can maintain your white teeth indefinitely. For heavy staining habits, touch-ups more frequently than every six months may be necessary. Many patients tie touch-ups with their six-month dental cleanings, maintaining results with occasional at-home whitening.
When can I schedule a tooth whitening appointment?
Anytime—give us a call at (423) 592-7676, and we'll answer your questions about tooth whitening.
If you have ongoing or planned dental treatments, discuss the best timing for whitening with us. We can provide guidance on integrating whitening with other treatments.
I hope I've answered some of your questions regarding tooth whitening. If you have more questions or are ready to take action, please call us at (423) 592-7676. We're here to help.
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Is Professional Teeth Whitening Stronger than At-Home Treatment?
Yes! As trained medical professionals, we have access to stronger whitening solutions than what you can get in an at-home kit. This is because we understand how to safely apply the whitening solution to your teeth to achieve the best results without damaging your enamel or gums. Our experts at Nooga Dentistry can help you achieve the bright smile you've always wanted with fast, safe results!
Frequently Asked Questions About Teeth Whitening
What Is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a gel that we put on your teeth and it will dissolve the stain that gets in the pores of your teeth, therefore it removes the stain and your teeth look whiter.
Does Teeth Whitening Damage Your Teeth?
No, teeth whitening doesn't damage your teeth. It actually is only dissolving the molecules that make up the stain that's clogging up the pores and making your teeth look dingy.
What Is The Process Of Teeth Whitening?
We bring patients in and we're going to put a material over your gums to protect your gums. It's like a gel that hardens and then we're going to put another type of material, it's also a gel, on your teeth and we're going to leave it there for 15 minutes. We'll put a little blue light over your teeth to activate the gel and stimulate the dissolving of the molecules that form the stain in the pores of your teeth. We'll rinse that all off and do it again. Depending on the type of systems that we have available, we would put it on your teeth anywhere from 2 to 3 or maybe even 4 times for 15 minutes each time until we achieve the results that we're looking for.
Do LED Teeth Whitening Lights Work?
LED teeth whitening systems don't work if you go to public places like a mall. It's actually the material that we put on the gel that is the most effective. You have to have a dental license in order to be able to provide that for patients because there are some things that we need to be careful of when we're working in your mouth. People who engage in such activities in public places like malls often lack the ability or knowledge needed to properly sterilize items, maintain cleanliness, and safely use these products in their mouths.
Can A Dentist Whiten Teeth Permanently?
No, teeth whitening isn't permanent but it gives you a huge boost to your new white teeth and then you can usually maintain your teeth with something either over the counter or something that you can use at home.
Does Whitening Cause Tooth Sensitivity?
Yes, teeth whitening can cause sensitivity. However, we have some desensitizer now that we use while we're using the whitening gel and it really cuts down on tooth sensitivity to the point where we get little to no phone calls from patients regarding sensitivity post-operatively.
How Can I Best Retain The Results Of Teeth Whitening Treatment?
After you've had your teeth whitened, we actually give you something to take home. My suggestion would be every time you get your teeth cleaned, every six months, that would be a reminder for you to go home and whiten your teeth for one or two, maybe even three nights. We keep the gel here and that's the gel that you use in your custom whitening trays.
When Should I Schedule A Teeth Whitening Appointment?
The best time to ask about teeth whitening and get scheduled for it is today. When you come in, we're going to evaluate your teeth, show you some before and after pictures, and tell you what to expect as far as the results go. We also want to evaluate your teeth and make sure that they're healthy so that we can do some of the more fun stuff like the cosmetic things and whitening your teeth. We'll talk to you about how this affects or doesn't affect any kind of man-made materials that may be in your mouth and anything that this could present like a cosmetic type problem for. So, we'll evaluate you and then we'll get you on the schedule for your teeth to be whitened.