Coffee and tea are some of the biggest offenders when it comes to tooth stains.
Your Saginaw dentist will perform an oral exam to rule out oral health problems like tooth decay and gum disease. She will assess whether or not you have sensitive teeth and ensure that your teeth are healthy enough for teeth whitening.
After discussing your concerns about any discoloration or staining that you have as well as your cosmetic goals and preferences, Dr. Renas will help you determine which type of teeth whitening is best for you.
We will always take precautions to protect your gums and other soft tissues from the whitening gel so you don’t experience damage or irritation. We also carefully apply the whitening agent to your teeth and only leave it on for the appropriate amount of time.
Your teeth will be whitened by applying the light-activated gel to your teeth or by applying your take-home whitening agent to your trays and placing them over your teeth for the duration that the instructions tell you.
Nothing can substitute an in-office whitening treatment when it comes to making dramatic improvements in short periods. In one hour-long session, your teeth can be whitened by up to 10 shades than what you started with. We can help you address severe discoloration with multiple whitening sessions.
Most patients prefer in-office whitening for special occasions or when they need to dramatically whiten their teeth fast. Dr. Renas will apply a protective gel to your teeth so the whitening product doesn’t touch your gums and cause irritation.
A cheek retractor will keep your teeth exposed and hold them away from your cheeks. The whitening gel is then applied to each tooth and a UV light is used to activate the whitening agent. After about an hour of exposure, this is rinsed out of your mouth and you can leave the office with a totally transformed smile.
Some of us prefer to whiten our teeth from the confines of our own homes. If you have experience with over-the-counter trays, then this is a similar experience, except with high-quality, safe ingredients that will protect your teeth and soft tissues.
Take-home whitening uses a lower-concentration whitening gel to lighten the shade of your teeth more gradually each day. Because of this, the process takes longer but it’s also gentler on your teeth and causes less sensitivity.
Impressions are taken of your teeth at the office and sent to a lab that creates specialized whitening trays for you to wear each day for 2 weeks. Once your trays have been fabricated, you can pick them up along with the whitening product and instructions. You’ll be free to start treatment on your own terms and you can follow the instructions to ensure you’re doing it properly.
With proper care, your teeth can remain white for up to 3 years.
While it’s true that teeth whitening can cause temporary tooth sensitivity as a side effect, this is only temporary. The reason this happens is that hydrogen peroxide bleaches your teeth by making them more porous through demineralization.
When porosity increases in the teeth, it exposes the underlying dentinal tubules deeper in the teeth which are attached to the tooth’s nerves, causing hypersensitivity. The teeth will naturally remineralize themselves within 48 hours and the sensitivity will go away.
To treat any discomfort in the meantime, however, avoid very hot or cold foods and drinks. You can apply a desensitizing gel before you get your teeth whitened and brush your teeth with sensitive toothpaste.
This will be different for every person. On average, whitening lasts for 6 months to 3 years. The less maintenance you do in terms of oral hygiene and avoiding stains, the quicker your teeth will become discolored.
Likewise, the more care you provide for your teeth and the more you abstain from things that will introduce stains to them, the longer it will last. The most important thing is to brush your teeth twice a day, floss once a day, and attend regular dental cleanings.
This will remove surface stains and plaque which can cause a yellowing appearance of the teeth. You should avoid smoking and reduce your consumption of staining foods and drinks.
Dental cleanings can remove surface stains to slightly whiten your teeth.
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