Understanding The Basics
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
When you get your teeth professionally whitened, a peroxide-based whitening agent is applied to your teeth. These peroxides react with the oxygen molecules in your teeth, breaking them down and bleaching your teeth to create a whiter appearance.
The peroxide penetrates your tooth and removes surface stains by breaking down the bonds that hold onto the stains. If you’re looking for whiter pearlier looking teeth, contact us at Whitestone Family Dentistry today to schedule an appointment.
Whiten From Home
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
If you would rather whiten your teeth from the comfort of your own home, or are looking for a maintenance whitening rather than something for a special occasion, take-home whitening may be a better option for you.
Rather than coming into the dental office and having lasers activate the whitening gel, you would only need to come in for a quick appointment to take teeth impressions that will serve as a mold for your custom-tailored whitening trays. We send your impressions to a dental lab that creates your whitening trays. You will wear the trays each day for 2 weeks.
You will receive instructions on how to apply the whitening gel to your trays and how long you should keep them in for. This option is the most convenient and flexible as you have the option of wearing your trays whenever it works best for you, without having to travel. Your teeth will gradually become whiter over the 2 weeks.
Get Faster Results
In-Office Whitening
Looking for something a little more drastic? Our in-office whitening in Cedar Park, TX, is the most effective treatment for an instant whitening boost perfect for any special occasion. A single session can lighten your teeth up to 10 shades.
We’ll protect your gums and soft tissue with a cheek retractor and protective gel before applying a whitening gel to all of your teeth. The whitening gel is then activated with a UV light. This process takes about an hour and may require multiple sessions for severe discoloration.
Maintaining Your Smile
How Do I Care For My Newly Whitened Teeth?
The best way to care for your whitened teeth is to practice good oral hygiene and reduce your exposure to staining foods and drinks. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and floss daily.
Some staining foods and drinks include red wine, coffee, tea, dark-colored berries and juices, and tomato-based sauces. Try consuming these in moderation or drinking through a straw. Most importantly, getting regular dental cleanings every 6 months will reduce surface stains and remove plaque buildup which can cause your teeth to appear yellow.
How Long
Does Teeth Whitening Last?
This ultimately varies from person to person based on each individual’s oral hygiene habits and lifestyle. The effects of the whitening treatment can last from 6 months to 3 years. If you limit your exposure to staining foods and drinks, avoid smoking, keep your teeth clean, and regularly visit the dentist, you’ll get a lot of longevity out of your treatment before needing another touch-up.
