The Dentists of Newtown provide their patients with teeth whitening treatment in Newtown, PA. Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry service that can brighten tooth enamel by multiple shades. Patients with yellowed, discolored, and stained enamel benefit from professional teeth whitening treatment.
Our dentists help patients meet their oral health and cosmetic goals during one-on-one dental consultations. If you want a dental whitening treatment, schedule an appointment with our team today. We can help you find the right whitening treatment for your needs.
Common Causes of Tooth Discoloration
There are several causes of discolored teeth, including:
- Poor Oral Hygiene: Patients who do not regularly brush and floss their teeth twice daily are more prone to yellowed or discolored teeth. Brushing removes food particles and stains from the teeth and helps prevent tooth and gum infections.
- Tobacco Use: Patients who smoke or use tobacco products are more likely to have darkened tooth enamel over time. Nicotine, a substance contained within tobacco, easily stains the natural tooth enamel.
- Foods and Drinks: Tea, coffee, wine, sodas, berries, tomatoes, and other foods and drinks can stain teeth. This is because they contain chromogens. Chromogens are pigments that can stick to and stain the teeth.
- Injury: Dental injuries can cause permanent discoloration. This is because a chip, crack, or fracture in the tooth enamel exposes the dark underlayer of the tooth. This underlayer, called dentin, is darker in appearance than the upper enamel layer.
Teeth Whitening Treatment in Newtown, PA
At our office, we offer both in-office and take-home teeth whitening solutions. We’ll schedule a cosmetic consultation with you to determine which is best for your needs.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
In-office whitening is ideal for patients who want a whiter smile as soon as possible. If you have a special event coming up, like a wedding or graduation, in-office whitening can ensure that your smile is at its best. In about an hour at our office, you can get a smile that’s up to eight shades whiter.
We start by protecting your gums and soft tissue. The bleaching agent shouldn’t come into contact with this, or it can cause sensitivity. Then, we evenly paint the gel onto your smile. The bleaching agent is activated with a special light. We provide glasses to protect your eyes throughout the treatment process. We use the light in 15-minute increments, depending on how much whiter you want your smile to be. You may get a take-home kit for touch-ups.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Take-home whitening whitens your teeth slowly over time. In our office, we’ll take impressions to make custom whitening trays for your smile. They fit your teeth perfectly, ensuring that the gel distributes evenly and sealing out saliva from interfering with treatment. The trays are filled with a professional-grade whitening gel, better than you can get over the counter.
We’ll develop a treatment plan so that you know how often to wear the whitening trays. Typically, you’ll wear them for a few minutes to an hour each night for a couple of weeks. We’ll monitor your progress and ensure you’re getting to the shade of white you desire for your smile.
Professional Vs. Over-the-Counter Whitening
While drugstore whitening strips, gels, and toothpastes may seem convenient and affordable, professional whitening treatments offer significant advantages.
Professional whitening contains a higher concentration of bleaching agents compared to drugstore products. You get results immediately with in-office whitening and see a difference quickly with take-home whitening. Dentists are the only ones who have access to these stronger concentration products. They break down stains better, and the results last longer because they penetrate deeper and are more effective.
While professional whitening is more expensive initially, it’s cost-effective in the long run. Results last longer with professional products. We also provide touch-up kits so that you can keep your smile the shade of white you want. You’ll need to buy many more kits at the drugstore to compare to the results you would get with professional whitening.
Over-the-counter products are one-size-fits-all because they’re made for the general public. They need to appeal to as wide of a clientele as possible. It’s hard to get even coverage and ensure that the results aren’t spotty. It can also cause sensitivity if the whitening gel contacts your soft tissue. Every professional treatment is completely custom for your mouth. You can trust that your results will be even and consistent.
Safety is a big concern with drugstore whitening products. They’re prone to overuse because they’re weaker than professional products. If you use them too often, you can experience enamel damage or extreme tooth sensitivity. We also ensure that whitening is safe for your smile before moving forward with it. If you have cavities or thin enamel, we may recommend other methods.
Treating Deep Tooth Stains
You may benefit from veneers, dental bonding, or tooth crowns if you have intrinsic stains. Intrinsic stains affect the dental layer beneath the outer tooth enamel. These stains are permanent and cannot be removed with professional teeth whitening.
However, cosmetic and restorative care can cover these stains with a natural-looking treatment. Veneers are porcelain ceramic shells that are bonded to the front of teeth. Dental bonding uses a malleable, tooth-colored material that is sculpted onto teeth. Dental crowns can address discolored teeth and tooth damage by fully covering teeth like a cap.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Read more to learn the answers to frequently asked questions about professional teeth whitening.
How long do teeth stay white after whitening?
The benefits of tooth whitening might last anywhere from 6 months to 2-3 years. This differs from person to person. Smoking and poor oral care are two things that will quickly discolor your teeth and make the effects of whitening temporary.
When can I not whiten my teeth?
Porcelain and the majority of cosmetic bonding materials are resistant to conventional whitening methods. Your teeth won’t respond well to whitening techniques if you have porcelain veneers, dentures, crowns, dental implants, cosmetic bonding, or composite tooth-colored fillings.
What should you not do after teeth whitening?
After tooth whitening, we recommend patients avoid drinking deeply colored beverages and refrain from smoking or using tobacco products. These will quickly stain your teeth and shorten the lifespan of your whitening treatment.
How long after teeth whitening can I eat and drink?
The 48 hours after teeth whitening is crucial. The pores of your teeth are open because of the whitening treatment. For 48 hours after the procedure, avoid staining food and beverages, like coffee and tea, and avoid using tobacco. This helps to prolong the amount of time that the whitening results last.
Does teeth whitening hurt?
No, the teeth whitening process doesn’t hurt. At most, you may experience some sensitivity. Your teeth are usually sensitive to hot and cold foods and beverages. It takes time for this to wear off. The sensitivity wears off once you’re done with the whitening process.
Can teeth whitening worsen cavities?
You should get cavities filled before the teeth whitening process. If you have cavities, they can become extra sensitive after the whitening process. It’s painful, especially if the tooth is already decaying. Depending on the circumstances, the whitening treatment can permanently damage the tooth.
Brighten Your Smile Today
Do you want to try tooth whitening treatment? Schedule a dental appointment with our professional team online. Call our Newtown, Pennsylvania dental office at 267-692-2394. Please let us know if you have any questions about your teeth whitening options; we will gladly help you.