763-586-9988
Teeth Whitening
“You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression” -Will Rogers
Your SMILE is one of the very first things that people will notice upon meeting you. How much we smile affects our outward appearance and affects how we interact with our family, friends, coworkers, and with strangers. Smile research indicates those who have white teeth and love their smile:
Smile more often
Appear more confident
Look years younger
…and even live longer too!
Do you wish your smile were brighter?
You are not alone. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry reports Americans spend over 1.4 billion dollars every
year to brighten their smile.
The natural aging process affects the brightness of our smile as we age. Add to that…many of us enjoy a few indulgences: coffee, tea, and/or a glass of red wine.
Tooth discoloration or having yellow teeth is dependent upon many factors including:
- Consumption and frequency of staining food and beverages
- Use of tobacco
- Effectiveness of oral health care
- Frequency of professional teeth cleaning
- Status of existing and/or pending dental treatment
Dentistry for the Entire Family offers complimentary cosmetic dentistry consultations.
Call (763) 586-9988 or click the button below to schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation with one of our dentists.
Consultation includes:
- Review your medical and dental history
- Dental exam with cosmetic dentist
- Discuss exam findings and review applicable teeth whitening options
- Additional teeth brightening options may include: porcelain veneers, dental crowns, dental bonding, and/or tooth colored fillings
- Receive estimate of costs of proposed options
Select and click on a topic below to learn more about teeth whitening.
Professional Teeth Whitening Services and Products
Over the Counter Teeth Whitening Products
Teeth whitening effectiveness
Most teeth whitening products contain one of two active whitening agents, hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The active ingredient reacts with the molecules in the outermost layer of your teeth to “dissolve” the tooth surface discoloration. The result is a brighter outward appearance of your teeth and smile.
There are many variables that impact how much your teeth will brighten. Research has shown that professional products are the best whitening products. They deliver the brightest of smile results, up to eight (8) shades brighter.
How effective are over the counter whitening products?
The concentration and endless variables regarding application and use make it very difficult for researchers to quantify the effectiveness of at home whitening agents and products. Manufacturers of these products claim the average consumer can expect 2-3 shades brighter. The concentration of the active ingredient contained in a at home tooth whitening product is only one determinate for how effective your whitening treatment results will be.
A higher percentage teeth brightening solution does not necessarily translate to “more effective or better results”.
Teeth whitening precautions
The American Dental Association (ADA) does not report any significant, long term oral or systemic health risks associated with professional tooth whitening products.
Sensitive teeth
It is not uncommon to experience some mild temperature teeth and/or gum sensitivity to hot and cold food and beverages during teeth brightening treatment. Sensitivity is generally related to the peroxide concentration and how long the whitening agent is in contact with the teeth.
Tip:
Using a prescription strength fluoride can help alleviate or reduce sensitivity before, during, and following your whitening treatment.
Exposed root surfaces
If you have exposed root surfaces (aka recession) it’s best to discuss alternative teeth brightening options with your dentist.
Exposed root surfaces do not respond well to tooth whitening agents and can become extremely sensitive, even painful if teeth brightening gel comes into contact with these surfaces.
Tip:
Your dental professional can show you tips and tricks for how to minimize whitening gel from exposed root surfaces.
Existing dental restorations
Whitening your teeth can affect the strength, color, and/or texture of existing dental restorations as well as any planned, future dental treatment. Its best to discuss your desire to brighten your teeth with your dentist prior to brightening your teeth.
Under 18 years old
Use of tooth whitening products are generally not recommended for anyone under the age of eighteen. Research estimates that the nerves inside our teeth don’t fully mature till age eighteen. Use of whitening agents prior to maturation may permanently injure the nerve inside your teeth. Its best to discuss alternative teeth brightening options with your dentist.
Tip:
Over the counter tooth whitening toothpaste may be a great alternative to consider. Whitening toothpastes work by dissolving superficial surface stains on the outermost surface of our teeth called the enamel.
Teeth whitening services and products
The American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs classify tooth brightening services and products into two three main categories:
- Professional products/applications
- Over the counter products/applications
- Other non-dental options
Professional teeth whitening services and products
Professional application by a licensed dental professional in dental office after examination by a licensed dentist.
Anticipated Results: Up to eight (8) shades brighter**
**Typical results will vary. To maintain desired brightness, professional maintenance is required.
Procedure: One two (2) hour appointment
In office teeth brightening appointment includes:
- Medical history review
- Before and after teeth shade comparison
- Before and after photos
- Up to four (4) twenty minute applications of professionally applied FDA approved teeth whitening agent
- After care appointment instructions
Custom fabricated whitening trays dispensed by dentist for home application
Anticipated Results: Up to five (5) shades brighter**
**Typical results will vary. To maintain desired brightness, professional maintenance is required.
Procedure: Two fifteen (15) minute appointments
First appointment includes:
- Medical history review
- Identify current shade of teeth
- Take before photos
- Dental impressions to fabricate custom teeth whitening trays
Second appointment includes:
- Custom fitting of whitening trays
- Instructions for home application of teeth brightening agent
Professional strength teeth whitening strips
Anticipated Results: Up to three (3) shades brighter**
**Typical results will vary. To maintain desired brightness, professional maintenance is required.
Procedure: Teeth whitening agent is contained within a transparent, adhesive strip and is worn for thirty (30) minutes two times per day for up to twenty one (21) days or until desired brightness.
Teeth whitening maintenance
Teeth whitening is not permanent. If not maintained, your teeth will gradually return to their pre-teeth whitening color or shade.
The frequency and concentration of consumption of foods and beverages that cause staining and/or use of tobacco may accelerate the occurrence of tooth discoloration in as little as one month. To help avoid this, professional teeth whitening touch up kits are available for purchase from your dentist. How frequently a person needs to touch up is dependent upon several factors including:
- Frequency and consumption of foods and beverages that cause teeth staining
- Use of tobacco
- Effectiveness of home oral health care: brushing and flossing
- Certain medical conditions
- Tooth anatomy
Over the counter teeth whitening products
There are several teeth whitening products available over the counter.
- Teeth whitening toothpaste
- Teeth whitening mouth-rinses
- Teeth whitening chewing gum
- Teeth whitening strips, etc
Are over the counter teeth whitening products safe?
“The American Dental Association recommends that if you choose to use a bleaching product, you should only do so after consultation with a dentist. This is especially important for patients with many fillings, crowns, and extremely dark stains. A thorough oral examination, performed by a licensed dentist , is essential to determine if bleaching is an appropriate course of treatment. The dentist and patient together can together can determine the most appropriate treatment. The dentist may then advise the patient and supervise the use of bleaching agents within the context of a comprehensive, appropriately sequenced treatment plan”.
Other non-dental teeth brightening options
Other non-dental options refers to teeth whitening treatments or kits sold in non-dental retail settings such as mall kiosks, salons, spas, and aboard passenger cruise ships.
“Non-dental whitening venues have come under scrutiny in several states and jurisdictions including Minnesota resulting in actions to reserve the delivery of this service to licensed dental professionals” (Source: ADA)
Dentistry for the Entire Family offers complimentary cosmetic dentistry consultations.
Call (763) 586-9988 or click the button below to request an appointment.
