It seems like everyone in Monrovia wants a whiter, brighter more beautiful smile. And who could blame them? Your smile is an important part of the first impression you make when meeting someone new. But unfortunately, age, eating habits, and smoking can discolor your teeth over time. For this reason, many Monrovia patients choose professional teeth whitening by their dentist.
What is Professional Teeth Whitening?
Professional teeth whitening is when a gel filled tray (filled with hydrogen peroxide and bleach) is placed in your mouth for 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the shade of white you are trying to achieve. Additionally, a bright light is shined into your mouth to speed up the teeth whitening process. All in all, professional teeth whitening takes about 1 hour to complete.
What About My Tooth Enamel? Will it be Safe?
Studies have shown that professional teeth whitening does not harm enamel. But that doesn’t mean your concerns with enamel end there. People will thin enamel on their teeth might not be good candidates for professional teeth whitening. When you tell Monrovia dentist Dr. Q that you are interested in teeth whitening, she will perform a full oral exam, partly to ensure that you have the proper amount of tooth enamel to make professional teeth whitening a safe procedure for you.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?
Teeth whitening is not a permanent procedure. The duration of your teeth whitening results will vary from Monrovia patient to Monrovia patient. Typically, you can expect teeth whitening results to last from several months to up to 3 years, depending on the type of stains you were trying to remove, the thickness of enamel on your teeth, and your eating, drinking and smoking habits. You can extend the results of your teeth whitening by not smoking, not drinking colored beverages such as coffee, red wine, soda pop and tea and refraining from eating staining foods like berries and pasta sauce. Additionally, drinking plenty of water and practicing good oral hygiene – which means brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily and going to your bi-annual teeth cleanings – can extend the length of your teeth whitening results.
Are There Any Risks for Professional Teeth Whitening?
Professional teeth whitening is a low-risk, painless procedure. But, you may find that your teeth are ultra sensitive or painful after teeth whitening. Don’t worry. These sensations typically go away within a few hours or days.
Am I a Good Candidate for Professional Teeth Whitening?
As we’ve already discussed above, not everyone in Monrovia is a good candidate for professional teeth whitening. In addition to people with a thinner tooth enamel, pregnant or nursing mothers, patients under age 16 and Monrovia patients with certain oral health conditions, including gum disease, cavities or infections should not undergo professional teeth whitening. Many patients suffering from one of these conditions can undergo teeth whitening once their other dental issues are resolved.
I Want to Get My Teeth Whitened. What Do I Do Next?
If you’re ready to take that next step to having a brighter, whiter more beautiful smile, call Dr. Q’s Monrovia office today at (626) 599-9818 to schedule a teeth whitening consultation. After Dr. Q performs a full oral evaluation and explains to you the professional teeth whitening process, her office will schedule a teeth whitening appointment for you.
FAQs
Studies have shown that professional teeth whitening does not harm enamel. But that doesn't mean your concerns with enamel end there. People will thin enamel on their teeth might not be good candidates for professional teeth whitening.
Does dental teeth whitening damage enamel? ›
But this begs the question “does teeth whitening damage the enamel?” The answer is no. While there may sometimes be side effects, whitening treatment is safe on tooth enamel. The process of tooth whitening is essentially the tooth will become dehydrated, meaning dried out.
Can you whiten teeth without damaging enamel? ›
Baking Soda: As long as you are careful to brush gently, baking soda can eliminate stains from the surface of your teeth without damaging them. Whitening Strips: Whitening strips mold to the shape of your teeth to whiten them. Whitening strips are both safe and effective.
Does teeth whitening cause any dental problems? ›
Risks of teeth whitening
One of the most common side effects is tooth sensitivity, which can occur during or after treatment. Overuse or misuse of teeth whitening products can also lead to enamel damage, gum irritation, and discoloration.
What teeth whitening doesn't damage enamel? ›
Crest 3D White Whitestrips Gentle Routine Teeth Whitening Kit. These whitening strips from Crest use the same powerful whitening agents as the company's original kits, but in a less-concentrated formula that is designed to be gentle on sensitive teeth.
Does enamel grow back after whitening? ›
Tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in the body. Problem is, it's not living tissue, so it can't be naturally regenerated. Unfortunately, you can't regrow it artificially, either -- not even with those special toothpastes.
How do you restore enamel after whitening teeth? ›
Dentists can also strengthen a patient's enamel by performing a fluoride treatment after their whitening session. Fluoride helps strengthen teeth enamel that is weakened during teeth whitening. Teeth sensitivity can also be reduced by limiting how long the bleaching product is left on the patient's teeth.
What is the least damaging way to whiten teeth? ›
Overuse or misuse of teeth-whitening products can cause sensitivity, gum irritation, and other side effects. Custom-fitted trays and in-office treatments are the safest and most effective ways to whiten teeth. ADA-approved over-the-counter toothpastes, gels, and strips are more affordable and convenient options.
How do celebrities get their teeth so white? ›
For celebrity-level whiteness, cosmetic dentists will usually use one of three different procedures: professional whitening treatments, veneers, or crowns.
What type of teeth Cannot be whitened? ›
Teeth that have yellowed with age
Dentin is naturally yellowish and cannot be lightened with teeth whitening products.
Fortunately, there are ways of making your yellow teeth white, from improving your oral hygiene and diet to visiting the dentist and having them professionally whitened. There's no need to feel ashamed of your smile anymore.
Why is my teeth whitening making my teeth worse? ›
This side effect is very common, and it's not very uncomfortable for most people. But if you already have sensitive teeth, teeth whitening can make the problem worse, and make it harder for you to consume hot and cold beverages and foods.
How do I strengthen tooth enamel? ›
8 Ways to Make and Keep Your Teeth Strong and White
- Eat calcium-rich foods. ...
- Drink water instead of soda or juice. ...
- Brush with an enamel-strengthening toothpaste. ...
- Reduce foods and drinks that stain enamel. ...
- Eat a balanced diet. ...
- Get plenty of fluoride. ...
- Avoid DIY whitening remedies. ...
- Don't forget about the rest of your mouth.
If you're looking for long-lasting results, Bianca Velayo, DMD of Green Valley Smiles Dentistry, recommends looking for peroxide-based products if you're hoping to whiten tooth enamel. You can opt for either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide as both will reverse internal and external stains on teeth, she notes.
What are the side effects of teeth whitening? ›
What are the risks of teeth whitening? No matter what treatment you use, there's a chance your gums will be sensitive to the chemicals used in teeth whitening, particularly if you already have sensitive teeth. There's also a chance of burns to gums and some of the whitening kits used at home can harm tooth enamel.
Can too much whitening damage teeth? ›
Excessive teeth whitening with bleach may lead to tooth erosion. If your teeth are over-exposed to bleaching agents, this may cause the enamel that protects your teeth to be destroyed. This can result in long-lasting oral health issues such as tooth decay and fracture, and lead to quite a lot of pain.
How often should you whiten your teeth? ›
We advise whitening your teeth just once a year, whether professionally or at home. This should keep sensitivity from becoming a problem while helping you maintain a white, natural-looking smile. Typically, the professional-grade whitening kits available from our dental office last about a year.
Do crest white strips damage enamel? ›
The PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) and carbomer used in Crest Whitestrips (for sticking to the teeth) are generally fairly safe and non-toxic. However, overuse of these products can irritate the gums and damage enamel.
It seems like everyone in Monrovia wants a whiter, brighter more beautiful smile. And who could blame them? Your smile is an important part of the first impression you make when meeting someone new. But unfortunately, age, eating habits, and smoking can discolor your teeth over time. For this reason, many Monrovia patients choose professional teeth whitening by their dentist.