Teeth Whitening
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Professional vs. Over-The-Counter Whitening
With so many over-the-counter (OTC) teeth whitening options available, many patients consider treating their own teeth at home. The main differences between professional and OTC whitenings are safety and results. Our dentists provide exceptional results, often in just one appointment for in-office whitenings, and we use custom trays that protect your gums from sensitivity and harsh bleaching agents. It is also important to note that some OTC whitening products like charcoal toothpaste and rubber “tooth polishers” can actually damage your enamel.
GET FAST RESULTS
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Our in-office teeth whitening can provide you with a smile that’s up to 5-10 shades whiter in just a single appointment. Once your teeth have been cleaned, one of our dentists will apply a powerful, peroxide-based whitening compound to your enamel. Then, this compound will be excited by a special UV light, boosting its whitening power. This process may be repeated several times, depending on factors like the sensitivity of your teeth and the desired brightness. Treatment typically takes less than an hour, and you’ll leave our office with superior results and a confident smile.
TREATMENT ON YOUR TERMS
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
We can also create take-home teeth whitening trays for a more gentle, gradual treatment. If you choose this convenient option, our dentists will send you home with a custom-made whitening tray and professional grade products that allow you to brighten your smile in the comfort of your own home. This is an ideal treatment for patients who want a more natural whitening process and who prefer not to spend time in the dentist’s chair.
SMILE WITH CONFIDENCE
The Benefits Of A Brighter Smile
-
Yellowing and staining are natural signs of aging, and a white smile will make you look younger and healthier.
-
You’ll feel more confident when you smile and laugh because you won't need to worry about unsightly stains.
-
Teeth whitening is affordable, completely non-invasive, and offers spectacular results in a little as one appointment.
HOW CAN I MAINTAIN
My Whitened Smile?
Once you’ve had your teeth whitened, there are a number of steps that you can take to preserve your newly-whitened teeth, and ensure that your smile looks bright and beautiful for years to come.
First and foremost, make sure that you brush at least twice a day for two minutes, and floss once a day. You should also see the team at Pax for a check-up and cleaning every six months. This will help remove surface stains and prevent the buildup of plaque, which can become stained easily.
You should also cease using tobacco products, if this applies to you. Smoking or using oral tobacco will ruin your smile and cause stains and yellowing in just a few months. Now is a great time to work on quitting your habit.
In addition, you may want to consider reducing your intake of staining beverages like cola, tea, coffee, and wine. You can also start drinking these beverages through a straw. Since the straw prevents direct contact with most of your teeth, this helps prevent stain buildup.
Brushing with a whitening toothpaste and using a whitening mouthwash can also help. Look for products with the ADA seal of approval, and that have hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as an active ingredient. When used regularly, these products can help halt & reverse stain buildup.
Finally, you may want to consider occasional touch-ups every 1-2 years. Stains may build up even if you take great care of your teeth, and our team can remove them and ensure that your smile remains bright and beautiful.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Will Whitening Make My Teeth Sensitive?
Teeth whitening does cause some mild sensitivity in most patients. The whiteners used to bleach your teeth will make your teeth feel a bit more sensitive to heat and cold, but you should not feel any significant pain or discomfort. After your treatment concludes, it should fade within just a few days, and your teeth will feel completely normal once again.
However, if you already have sensitive teeth, you should discuss this with the team at Pax. We may opt to use a lower level of whitener, or schedule multiple teeth whitening appointments to ensure that your whitening treatment does not make your sensitivity worse. Contact us for more details, and to discuss your options.
WHICH WHITENING OPTION
Is Right For Me?
If you value convenience, comfort, and affordable treatment, take-home whitening is likely the best option for you. You can whiten your teeth without spending time in the dentist chair, and in the comfort of your own home. Take-home whitening is also usually a bit cheaper than in-office whitening. Not only that, but it offers more subtle results, since your teeth will become whiter over a period of several weeks, rather than a single appointment.
However, if you value fast results, in-office whitening is definitely a better option for you. In just a single appointment, you can brighten your smile by 5 shades or more. That means in-office whitening is a superior choice if you need to have your teeth whitened for a special occasion, or would just like faster results.
Why is my teeth so yellow even when I brush them?
Even with proper oral hygiene habits, some tooth stains are inevitable. They’re typically the result of the foods you eat, the medications you take, your genetics, and the natural aging process. If your teeth are stained, it’s nothing to be embarrassed about — it’s a part of life! And thankfully, you have options to reduce those stains!
How long does professional teeth whitening last?
Some slight fading is inevitable, but with good dental hygiene, our patients can expect their smile to stay bright for years to come. We often recommend our take-home whitening trays as a simple way to maintain the results of your whitening treatment.
Is teeth whitening good for sensitive teeth?
If you suffer from sensitive teeth, be sure to avoid over-the-counter whitening treatments as they can cause further irritation. Working closely with our doctors will ensure you get the safest, most comfortable treatment with the best results.