Improving the appearance of your smile can make a difference in your confidence and overall quality of life. At the office of Dr. Masis Yeterian and Dr. Angela Marwaha, we provide experienced care, skillfully combining the art and science of dentistry to give patients teeth that are as beautiful as they are healthy.
If your teeth appear dull, drab, discolored, or stained, don’t despair. Thanks to advances in cosmetic dentistry, you too can enjoy the benefits of a beautiful smile. With professional teeth whitening, we can quickly and dramatically lighten and brighten your smile.
You can rest assured that your smile is in the best of hands with us. We use the latest professional-strength systems to transform your teeth, giving you a smile that’s several shades lighter, brighter, and more vibrant than before.
Personalized Care to Achieve Your Cosmetic Goals
As dedicated providers, our goal is to help every patient maintain good oral health and wear their best-looking smile. We tailor treatment to individual needs and strive to meet every patient’s expectations of care.
After examining your smile and determining if a teeth whitening procedure is suitable for you, we’ll recommend the best in-office procedure or a take-home whitening system to achieve your cosmetic goals.
Factors That Influence the Color and Vibrancy of Your Smile
The whiteness of your teeth depends on how they reflect and scatter light. Although external staining is typically due to certain foods, beverages, or tobacco use, internal tooth discoloration is usually the result of genetics, certain medications, tooth decay, restorations, and trauma. Aging also plays a significant role in tooth color. Over time, as the outer layer of enamel thins, the yellow inner layer of dentin becomes more apparent.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening or bleaching simply refers to any process that makes the teeth appear whiter. Today, there’s an abundance of choices in teeth whitening products and procedures available to you. Options run the gamut from over-the-counter toothpastes, rinses, strips, or gels to professionally supervised in-office treatments and customized take-home kits.
With so many choices, how do you know which one to select? Despite the many over-the-counter products on the market today, it’s essential to keep in mind that the premier teeth whitening systems are the professional-strength ones provided by the dentist. Not only do these systems offer a higher concentration of whitening components than those available in stores or online, but they also deliver these components to the teeth in the safest, most effective, and well-supervised way.
While you may be tempted to purchase a kit in the drugstore or online, be careful. Some over-the-counter teeth whitening products can damage the teeth and soft tissues in the mouth. Even though many work when healthy teeth and gums are present, they may be ineffective or problematic when sensitive teeth, exposed roots, cavities, broken fillings, cracked teeth, or loose dental work exist.
How Does the Teeth Whitening Procedure Work?
Whitening products typically fall into one of the following categories:
- Peroxide-containing bleaching agents
- Whitening toothpastes or dentifrices
Under the category of peroxide-containing bleaching agents, most whitening systems contain either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide as the active ingredient. While both can readily permeate the enamel to achieve pleasing results, the concentration of either one of these ingredients determines the strength, effectiveness, and safety level of the whitening system.
Teeth whitening systems rely on a chemical reaction between the bleaching agent and the discolored molecules. As the latter is oxidized, the stains and discoloration are broken up and erased.
Considerations in Care
Dr. Yeterian and Dr. Marwaha combine the art and science of dentistry to create beautiful and healthy smiles. We value your investment and provide treatment that supports good oral health while fulfilling your smile goals and expectations of care. We offer a range of advanced cosmetic dental services and will help you choose the option that’s right for your smile.
While teeth whitening procedures in most cases produce highly satisfying results, not every type of stain or discoloration responds well to one.
First, a teeth whitening procedure only works on natural teeth and does not change or improve the color of dental fillings, crowns, or bridges.
It should also be noted that individuals with yellow tones in their teeth typically respond well to teeth whitening, whereas brown and grayish teeth do not exhibit the same response. They may require more intensive whitening regimens or alternative cosmetic treatments.
Furthermore, a teeth whitening procedure may not be recommended in the presence of sensitive teeth, worn enamel, and significant gum disease.
You can trust us to take a close look at your smile and advise you if teeth whitening is right for you, or if another cosmetic procedure offers healthier and better results.
What to Do and What to Expect After a Teeth Whitening Procedure
Here are some important factors to keep in mind after professional teeth whitening.
Watch What You Eat and Drink
Maximizing the benefits of a teeth whitening procedure involves being mindful of what you eat and drink. This guideline is especially true for the first 48 hours following an in-office treatment. The reason is the ultra-thin, membranous protective layer of the tooth that was temporarily removed as a result of the whitening procedure takes a couple of days to reestablish itself.
You can protect your teeth by avoiding deeply colored foods and beverages that can stain them!
Refrain from drinking coffee, red wine, dark soft drinks, and teas. Stay away from fruits like berries and grapes, and chocolate products, as well as other foods that are darkly colored.
Feel free to eat and drink foods with a low potential to stain your teeth. Beverages such as water, milk, white wine, and clear soft drinks are okay. Eating fruits such as bananas or peeled apples is fine. Cheeses, as well as white foods like chicken, fish, pasta, oatmeal, potatoes, and bread prepared without red sauces or dressings, are also acceptable.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking stains and yellows your teeth under the best of circumstances. If you are a smoker and have just had your teeth whitened, it’s a good idea to refrain from the habit for at least the first couple of days. Of course, smoking less frequently after that or quitting the habit altogether not only benefits the appearance of your smile but also your oral health and overall well-being.
Some Sensitivity Is Normal
You may experience some sensitivity to cold and hot for a couple of days. This discomfort typically subsides. We recommend taking over-the-counter pain medication just as you would for a headache. Using toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth may also be helpful.
Treatment Results
While teeth whitening procedures provide satisfying outcomes of care, it’s essential to keep in mind that results vary from patient to patient. Both short-term and long-term results are influenced by the original shade of the tooth, diet, and oral habits.
Also, as explained before treatment, teeth whitening procedures do not change the color of existing fillings, crowns, bridgework, or dental bonding. If this issue presents an aesthetic concern, we can discuss replacing the restoration.
Keeping Your Smile Bright
Maintaining the results of treatment also relies upon proper oral hygiene and routine dental care. We’ll also discuss a take-home whitening system if any periodic touch-ups are indicated following the procedure or down the road.
Schedule a Teeth Whitening Consultation Today
Drs. Yeterian and Marwaha are dedicated to providing the highest quality of care. If you have questions about teeth whitening or want to find out if it’s a good option for you, contact our office today. Call us at (203) 869-2884 or send us a message.