Teeth Whitening

Change Your Smile, Get Whiter Teeth, Look and Feel Fantastic in Just One Hour.

Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. A beautiful smile could build confidence and make you look and feel younger. With so many reasons to smile, don’t let the effects of tooth discoloration hold you back.

Teeth whitening is the process of lightening teeth, removing teeth stains, and correcting tooth discoloration. This form of dentistry should only be performed on the recommendation of a dentist or another regulated dental expert, such as a dental hygienist or dental therapist.

Teeth Whitening Method

There are two ways you can choose to bleach your teeth: home or dental office bleaching. Home bleaching involves the fabrication of plastic bleaching trays. These tray-based tooth whitening systems with hydrogen peroxide gels are worn for thirty minutes to one hour a day for four to eight weeks. In contrast, the office tooth whitening method is much quicker. Big Smile Dental offers three big-name brands for in-office bleaching, including BriteSmile, Zoom, and Rembrandt.

  • Zoom – is one of the fastest tooth whitening systems on the market, and it was created with patients’ busy schedules in mind. Zoom is a teeth whitening system with both an in-office and at-home whitening option.
  • BriteSmile – is a teeth whitening method that produces white teeth by combining whitening gel with a gas plasma light. BriteSmile can brighten teeth by up to nine shades in only one dental visit.
  • Rembrandt – can brighten teeth by eight to 10 shades using a “Sapphire” Plasma Arc Light and a proprietary tooth whitening gel.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Teeth whitening is a straightforward process where one of two teeth bleaches is used in whitening products (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide). These bleaches disintegrate stains from teeth, making the tooth shade lighter and giving you a whiter smile.

Teeth whitening, on the other hand, may not work on all teeth, which is why you should consult a dentist before whitening your teeth. Tooth whitening products may not be able to treat all types of discoloration. Yellow teeth, for example, may most likely respond well to bleaching, whereas brown teeth may not. Treatment may also not be effective if your tooth discoloration results from medications or a tooth injury.

Why Did My Teeth Change Color?

Your tooth shade can fade with time from white to dull for various reasons. Tooth discolorations are often classified as extrinsic, intrinsic, or a combination of the two.

Extrinsic stains are caused by environmental causes or individual habits, such as tobacco use, metal salt exposure, or ingestion of highly pigmented foods or beverages, such as citrus fruits and vinegar, which contribute to enamel erosion (loss of tooth enamel). The severity of extrinsic tooth stains varies widely and can be compounded by lifestyle habits and poor oral hygiene.

Intrinsic stains form inside the tooth (either inside the enamel or the underlying dentin). They can be caused by systemic factors such as genetic abnormalities (e.g., dentinogenesis imperfecta, amelogenesis imperfecta) or local influences during tooth formation. They can also be caused by an oral injury, over-exposure to fluoride, or during the use of certain medications. Intrinsic stains are considered more permanent than extrinsic stains and do not respond well to teeth whitening as extrinsic stains do.

Is Teeth Whitening Safe?

Teeth whitening is typically considered safe and is only recommended for people with healthy, unrestored teeth and gums (no fillings). However, this treatment is not suitable for everyone, especially if you are under 16, pregnant or lactating, or have sensitive teeth.

Certain at-home treatments can cause adverse effects like tooth sensitivity (especially if you have tooth decay), sensitive gums, receding gums, gum irritation, or poor dental restorations. As such, it’s important to consult with your dentist before starting.

A study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association confirms that in-office tooth-whitening systems are safe and effective, and the results last for years. It was also found conclusively that in-office whitening resulted in no structural change in teeth, no adverse effects on fillings, and no softening of tooth enamel. BriteSmile, Zoom, and Rembrandt are three high-quality teeth whitening systems that deliver striking results. Your cosmetic dentist can perform these treatments in-office in about an hour to give you a stunning, sparkling smile.

How Power Whitening Works

What Are My Whitening Options?

There are various teeth whitening systems and products on the market, including whitening toothpaste, over-the-counter products such as whitening gels, rinses, and strips containing a low percentage of hydrogen peroxide, and in-office tooth whitening products you get from a dentist.

  • Stain removal toothpaste – Look for a whitening toothpaste with the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of approval for stain removal. These toothpaste contain additional polishing agents that are safe for your teeth and effective at removing stains from teeth. However, unlike bleaches, these products do not change the color of your teeth because they can only remove surface stains.
  • Over-the-counter whitening products – You may come across various options online or in your local grocery store for over-the-counter whitening products, such as toothpaste or whitening strips that whiten your teeth by bleaching them. These products have a lower bleach concentration than the in-office whitening products. If you wish to utilize over-the-counter whitening solutions, talk to your dentist about your options and look for one with the American Dental Association’s stamp of approval.
  • Tray-based tooth whiteners – Your dentist can make a custom-fitted tray for at-home use. The dentist will instruct you on how to place the bleaching solution in the tray and for how long you should wear them. Patients with yellow stains on the outside of their teeth who want to brighten their smile at home with the help of a dentist may find this approach to be a viable option. Tray-based tooth whiteners can also be purchased over the counter.
  • In-office treatment – The quickest way to whiten your teeth is through the in-office whitening treatment. The whitening product is applied directly to the teeth with an in-office bleaching solution. These teeth whiteners can be combined with heat, a special light, or a laser to speed up the chemical reaction. Only one 30- to 60-minute treatment is required to see results. However, several appointments are usually required to achieve dramatic white teeth.

In addition to the tooth whitening method mentioned above, you can also help by scheduling regular dental cleanings to help remove plaque and surface stains. The most important things to do are to keep your teeth clean and healthy by brushing and flossing daily and visiting your dental professional regularly to help remove any extrinsic stains.

Big Smile Dental is conveniently located in the Logan Square and Avondale area. Make sure to visit our office for a free consultation. We can provide you with a complete smile makeover which includes the BriteSmile professional whitening treatment to address your specific cosmetic needs.

You can also visit us to:

  • Straighten your teeth with Invisalign invisible braces.
  • Get porcelain veneers to change the color and shape of your teeth.
  • Get all-porcelain, no metal crowns that will never show a dark line at your gums.
  • Replace your missing teeth with dental implants. You never have to take them out of your mouth like dentures.
  • Fix broken or chipped teeth with bonding to look as good as new.

We at Big Smile Dental are excited to assist you in achieving the smile of your dreams.

Frequently Asked Questions About Teeth Whitening

Unfortunately, no. Although the effects of teeth whitening can remain for up to ten years, people who expose their teeth to foods that cause staining may start to see discolored teeth within a month. Patients who follow proper oral hygiene habits are more likely to achieve long-lasting results. Brushing teeth after each meal and avoiding strongly colored drinks and foods can all help the results remain for a long period of time.

Yes. During and after the treatment, teeth whitening is known to cause some sensitivity. Peroxide, which is used to remove the enamel, is used in whitening products. The teeth become more sensitive when the enamel is peeled off stains, resulting in transient sensitivity to hot or cold foods. Brush with a tooth sensitivity toothpaste or gel after your appointment to combat discomfort. Sensitive teeth usually last around two days, so you can go back to using your regular toothpaste after that.

Cosmetic tooth whitening should only be performed in moderation. Most dentists recommend repeated treatment every five to six months, depending on the patient’s situation. Overdoing it can result in long-term sensitivity and unhealthy teeth.

The effects of tooth whitening may not be as good as you’d want if your teeth have too much plaque on the teeth’ surface. Before you contemplate teeth whitening treatments, you may need to schedule other dental work. And since the procedure is designed to bring out the enamel’s natural whiteness. Existing fillings, dentures, crowns, bonding, veneers, and bridges do not lighten. If a whitening treatment is used, any previous dental work may need to be redone to match the new tooth shade achieved in the natural teeth.

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