Want a brighter and healthier smile? Try teeth whitening treatment in our Bladenboro, NC dental office. Stains and tooth discoloration can be caused by smoking and tobacco use, certain foods and beverages, and even age. Nicotine found in cigarettes and tobacco stains and yellows the teeth over time.
Foods and beverages like tea, coffee, wine, tomato sauce, and berries contain chromogens. Chromogens are pigments that adhere to the tooth enamel and cause stains. As we age, our tooth enamel can wear down, showing the dentin underneath. Dentin is a dark under-layer that makes the teeth look discolored.
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry treatment that can brighten tooth enamel by multiple shades in just one office visit. Dr. Shannon French will help you determine if in-office or take-home whitening treatment is right for you. Some patients want immediate results. Others may be more sensitive to bleaching agents and require gradual treatment.
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
If you have healthy teeth and healthy gums but have discolored teeth, whitening treatment is a good option. Pregnant patients or those who are sensitive to whitening agents may not be good candidates for professional whitening.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. French and she will find the best whitening option for you. Dr. French examines the gum and tooth structures to see if there are any underlying problems such as gum disease or dental infections.
Even if you have deep stains that are resistant to teeth whitening treatment, our office can help brighten your smile. Porcelain veneers and tooth bonding treatments cover the tooth enamel and can change the color of the teeth. Veneers are shells of porcelain ceramic that adhere to the front of teeth. Dental bonding uses a biocompatible material that is molded onto the enamel.
Teeth Whitening Treatment
Teeth whitening treatment starts with Dr. French or a member of her team cleaning and polishing the teeth. This is done to ensure that the whitening treatment penetrates the enamel. Dr. French then protects the gums with a barrier for minimal sensitivity.
She applies a whitening agent to the surface of your teeth. Once activated, the agent is left on the teeth for several minutes, then washed off. This process is then repeated several times until we reach the desired results. We can also provide take-home whitening for gradual yet effective treatment.
It is normal to experience some tooth sensitivity following your whitening treatment. Avoid cold or hot beverages as this can exacerbate sensitivity. For at least 24 hours after your treatment, avoid highly pigmented beverages like tea, coffee, and wine. These can stain your enamel and erase your results.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
What are my options for professional teeth whitening?
Our office offers both in-office and take-home whitening treatment options. Typically, in-office whitening is used when you need results fast, like if you have an important event coming up. Take-home whitening is a more gradual process and will whiten your teeth over the course of a couple of weeks.
At your cosmetic consultation, we can determine which option is right for you.
How long does teeth whitening take?
This depends on which option you’re opting for. In the office, whitening usually takes about an hour. Take-home whitening is done in a determined number of weeks. Dr. French will determine the exact amount of time that you should be using whitening trays at home.
When will I see the full results of teeth whitening?
For in-office whitening, you see the ideal results in about 24 hours. This is why it’s the preferred option for people that want whiter teeth for an upcoming event. For take-home teeth whitening, it takes about two to three weeks to see the full results.
Does teeth whitening hurt?
No, teeth whitening shouldn’t hurt. Since it’s done by professionals, we make sure that the bleaching agent doesn’t come into contact with gums and soft tissue. You may feel some sensitivity to heat and cold in the days following your whitening treatment.
How often can I get my teeth whitened?
We recommend that you whiten your teeth only once or twice a year. Even with professional gel that’s designed to minimize sensitivity, it can still increase your sensitivity if you use it too much. It can also cause your teeth to be unnaturally white, which can be unnerving.
How long do the results of teeth whitening last?
On average, they typically last from around six months to a year. This usually depends on how well you take care of your teeth and what your lifestyle habits are. Smoking or drinking coffee or tea regularly causes staining and your whitening results won’t last as long. If you take really good care of your teeth, results can last as long as three years.
Do my teeth have to be clean before whitening?
Teeth whitening works best when your teeth are freshly cleaned. We recommend that you schedule your teeth whitening treatment right after you have a dental cleaning in our office. Clean teeth mean that you shouldn’t have splotchy results from plaque buildup on your teeth while they’re being whitened.
Am I an ideal candidate for professional teeth whitening?
Many adult patients are eligible for teeth whitening. However, there are certain kinds of stains that traditional whitening techniques can’t take care of. We’ll do a complete consultation to determine the best option for you.
If we find that your stains require more than traditional teeth whitening, we have other options like porcelain veneers or cosmetic bonding to get you the whiter smile you desire.
Contact Our Dental Office
Schedule a dental consultation in our Bladenboro dental office if you want to learn more about whitening treatment. You can also call us at 910-469-4592. At Bladenboro Family Dentistry, we see patients from Clarkton, Bladenboro, and Fayetteville, North Carolina. Please let our team know if you have any remaining questions or concerns about your teeth whitening options.