At Coastal Dental Care, we offer advanced teeth whitening in Nederland, TX. We offer cosmetic dentistry services to patients who want a brighter and whiter smile, including tooth whitening. As the desire for a brighter smile has become increasingly popular, the demand for professional teeth whitening has increased.
Many options are available to whiten teeth; however, store-bought products do not offer the same effects. Professional teeth whitening is more effective, longer-lasting, and safer.
Professional Teeth Whitening vs. Store-Bought Whitening Products
Whitening products are readily available in stores, but do not deliver the same results. Additionally, they may even harm your gums. Professional teeth whitening offers several advantages over store-bought products:
Stronger and More Effective Whitening
Over-the-counter whitening products, like strips and toothpaste, contain weaker bleaching agents than professional treatments. Most OTC products use low levels of hydrogen peroxide to remove stains, but the results are often minimal. Professional whitening treatments use high-concentration bleaching gels that whiten teeth faster and more effectively. Professional whitening brightens teeth instantly, while store-bought products take weeks to work.
Faster Results
If you want quick results, professional whitening is a better option. Store-bought products require daily use for weeks before making a slight difference. In contrast, professional whitening can give you a noticeably brighter smile in just one appointment. Using advanced whitening methods (like laser or light treatments), dentists can brighten your smile in just one hour.
Longer-Lasting Whiteness
Over-the-counter whitening products often fade quickly, requiring constant touch-ups. Professional whitening uses stronger and more deeply penetrating ingredients, so the results last much longer. Brush well and touch up occasionally—your whitened smile can last 6 months to 2 years. On the other hand, you may need to reapply OTC products every few weeks to maintain results.
Safer and Less Sensitivity
One common problem with OTC whitening products is tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. Since these products are not custom, they can expose your gums to the bleaching agent, leading to discomfort. Professional whitening is safer because dentists use protective barriers to shield gums and prevent irritation. Additionally, they can adjust the strength of the whitening gel based on your needs, reducing the risk of sensitivity.
Customized to Your Needs
Professional whitening treatments are personalized for your teeth. Dentists evaluate your enamel, gum health, and the type of stains you have to create a treatment plan that works best for you. OTC products use a one-size-fits-all approach, which may not be effective for deep stains or uneven discoloration. A dentist can ensure teeth are evenly whitened for a more natural look.
Removes Deeper Stains
Store-bought whitening products mostly target surface stains caused by coffee, tea, and smoking. However, professional whitening can remove deep, set-in stains that OTC products can’t reach. Professional whitening removes tough stains from aging, medications, or genetics, giving you a brighter smile.
Better for Sensitive Teeth
Many people experience tooth sensitivity with whitening products. Over-the-counter treatments can be harsh on enamel, causing pain or discomfort. Dentists use special desensitizing agents and can adjust the whitening formula to make it gentler on sensitive teeth. They also offer professional-grade fluoride treatments to strengthen enamel and prevent discomfort after whitening.
More Reliable and Even Results
Store-bought whitening strips and gels often whiten unevenly, particularly if they don’t fit your teeth well. Some areas may become whiter than others, leading to an unnatural look. Professional whitening ensures even, consistent results, so your entire smile looks bright and natural.
Works on Different Types of Stains
Not all stains respond to OTC whitening products. For example, with regular whitening strips or toothpaste, intrinsic stains (caused by aging, trauma, or medications) don’t improve. Professional whitening uses stronger formulas that reach deep into teeth to erase tough stains.
Backed by a Dental Professional
When you choose professional whitening, you have the expert guidance of a dentist. They can monitor your progress, adjust treatment, and ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy. If you experience any issues, your dentist can offer solutions right away. With OTC products, you’re on your own; if problems arise, you may not know how to fix them.
Why Are My Teeth Discolored?
Tooth discoloration is a common dental issue that can affect the appearance of your smile. It occurs when your teeth lose their natural white color, turning yellow, brown, or even gray in some cases. Understanding the causes of tooth discoloration can help you take steps to prevent it and maintain a bright, healthy smile.
1. Foods and Beverages
One of the most common causes of tooth discoloration is what you eat and drink. Dark-colored beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, and soda can stain your teeth over time. Foods like berries, tomato-based sauces, and soy sauce can also leave stains due to their strong pigments. These stains build up gradually, especially if you don’t brush and floss regularly.
2. Tobacco Use
Smoking or using other tobacco products can lead to noticeable tooth discoloration. Nicotine and tar in tobacco leave yellow or brown stains on the surface of your teeth. These stains can be difficult to remove and often require professional whitening treatments.
3. Poor Oral Hygiene
Poor brushing/flossing lets sticky plaque build up, making teeth look yellow or darker. Regular cleanings and good oral hygiene habits are essential for preventing discoloration caused by plaque buildup.
4. Aging
As you age, your teeth naturally lose their brightness. The outer layer of enamel becomes thinner, revealing the dentin underneath. Under the white enamel is a yellow layer called dentin. As enamel wears, this yellow shows through, making teeth look darker.
5. Medications
Certain medications can cause tooth discoloration as a side effect. For example, antibiotics like tetracycline and doxycycline can discolor teeth in children whose teeth are still developing. Some antihistamines, blood pressure medications, and chemotherapy treatments can also lead to changes in tooth color.
6. Trauma or Injury
An injury to a tooth can cause discoloration, especially if the tooth’s inner tissue is damaged. This discoloration often appears as a dark or grayish spot on the tooth. Trauma can also affect the development of teeth in children, leading to later discoloration.
7. Fluoride Overexposure
While fluoride is essential for preventing cavities, too much fluoride during tooth development can cause fluorosis. This condition leads to white spots, streaks, or even brown discoloration on the teeth.
8. Genetics
Your genetic makeup can influence the natural color of your teeth. Some people have thicker, whiter enamel. Others have thinner enamel, so their teeth look darker or stain more easily.
Teeth Whitening in Nederland, TX
Most teeth whitening products use bleach. This breaks the stains into smaller pieces, making them harder to see, so your teeth look brighter. However, bleaches do not work on all teeth, so talking to us before you bleach your teeth is important. Bleach doesn’t work on caps, veneers, crowns, or fillings originally made to match your teeth’s natural color.
Coastal Dental Care offers professional in-office teeth whitening in our Nederland, TX, dental office. With gentle yet powerful whitening, we can brighten most stains in just one hour, with less sensitivity. We deliver our whitening treatments consistently and safely to guarantee the best possible results.
Our in-office teeth whitening system will give you a brighter, whiter smile without the wait. In a short office visit, you can get instant teeth-whitening fulfillment. If you have a major event coming up, this is the ideal treatment to help you achieve a better-looking smile.
Proper oral hygiene can extend the life of your results, up to a year or more. Avoid common lifestyle habits like smoking, which stain or darken teeth. Limit beverages that stain teeth, such as coffee, tea, and red wine.
Other Teeth Whitening Options
For some patients, teeth whitening treatments do not work. If you have tough stains or simply desire a permanent solution for teeth whitening, we offer several cosmetic treatments. Dental bonding and porcelain veneers are cosmetic dentistry treatments that can whiten your teeth by covering them up. Continue reading to learn more about these procedures.
Teeth Bonding
Dental bonding is a tooth-colored composite resin that covers the entire tooth. Your Coastal Dental Care can instantly whiten your teeth with this affordable treatment. Your dentist will apply the material directly to the tooth’s surface, completely covering the entire surface. This treatment is fast; your dentist can complete it in a single dental appointment.
Porcelain Veneers
A porcelain veneer is a thin shell covering a tooth’s front and sides. They are porcelain, a durable, long-lasting material that instantly whitens your smile.
The process will require two to three visits to our Nederland, TX dentist office. The teeth veneers are custom-made in a dental lab based on impressions of your teeth for a precise fit. This treatment is more expensive than dental bonding.
Professional Teeth Whitening FAQs
Professional teeth whitening is the recommended way to get a whiter smile. Read the answers to these frequently asked questions to learn more.
How long do the professional teeth whitening results last?
This varies depending on the patient. Some patients’ teeth respond better to the whitening solution than others. If you’re a smoker or frequently consume staining foods and beverages, your whitening results will fade faster than those who don’t have these habits. You can see results that last anywhere from a few weeks to multiple months.
How long do I have to wait to eat after teeth whitening?
You can eat and drink immediately following the treatment. However, we recommend avoiding staining foods and beverages for 48 hours. Whitening works by opening the pores on your teeth so the whitening solution can dig deep. These pores don’t immediately close after treatment, so drinking things like coffee during this time will make them impact your teeth more.
Can I get my teeth whitened too much?
Yes, this is a possibility. We recommend waiting at least six months before your next whitening treatment. Even professional products that minimize sensitivity can cause it if you use the solution too much. When your teeth get bright enough, they can also look unnatural compared to the rest of your face.
Should I get my teeth cleaned before whitening treatment?
Yes, you should ensure your teeth are as clean as possible. We recommend scheduling a whitening treatment after a dental cleaning in our office. If your teeth aren’t clean, the results can be splotchy because of areas where there’s some buildup on them.
Can I whiten a tooth that has a cavity?
No, the discoloration caused by a cavity won’t respond to whitening treatment. The whitening agent can also contact that area, causing discomfort. Since a cavity is a hole in your tooth, it often exposes nerves and sensitive tissue.
Am I a good candidate for teeth whitening?
Before performing teeth whitening, we’ll need to treat any oral health problems. First, in a consultation, we will check your stains to confirm that whitening will work. Dental bonding or porcelain veneers may be better for deep, intrinsic stains.
There are many options for teeth whitening, including toothpaste, at-home bleaching, and bleaching in our office. Since each one works differently (and has different results), you should talk to us before you whiten your teeth.
If you have any questions about teeth whitening, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Our Nederland dentist office welcomes new patients. Call our office at 409-727-3511 or request an appointment online.