Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening results typically last 4-6 months with proper care, though individual results may vary based on your dietary habits and lifestyle choices. Factors such as consuming coffee, tea, wine, or tobacco products can cause stains to return more quickly, while avoiding these substances helps maintain your results longer. Regular dental cleanings and good oral hygiene practices also contribute to extending the longevity of your whitening treatment.

Professional teeth whitening performed by trained dental professionals is considered safe when proper protocols are followed and patients are appropriately screened beforehand. The whitening gels used in professional treatments are specifically formulated for dental use and applied with protective measures to shield your gums and soft tissues. Some patients may experience temporary tooth sensitivity, but this typically resolves within a few days after treatment completion.

Professional teeth whitening performed by a qualified dentist is generally safe and does not cause permanent damage to your teeth when done correctly. While some patients may experience temporary tooth sensitivity or mild gum irritation immediately after treatment, these side effects typically subside within a few days. The key to safe whitening lies in using professional-grade products under expert supervision, as dentists can customize the treatment strength and duration to minimize any potential discomfort while protecting your enamel and surrounding tissues.

Teeth whitening works by using specialized bleaching agents that penetrate your tooth enamel to break down stain molecules that have accumulated over time. The whitening gel contains active ingredients that target discolored compounds within your teeth, essentially lifting them away to reveal the brighter, whiter tooth structure underneath. Laser-activated treatments speed up this process by using light energy to enhance the whitening gel’s effectiveness and achieve faster results.

After teeth whitening treatment, it’s important to avoid dark-colored foods and beverages for at least 48 hours to prevent immediate re-staining of your newly whitened teeth. Safe options include white meats like chicken or fish, white rice, pasta with light-colored sauces, bananas, and clear or light-colored beverages like water or white wine. Avoiding coffee, tea, red wine, berries, tomato sauce, and other highly pigmented foods during this critical period helps ensure your whitening results last as long as possible.

Before you have a professional whitening treatment, you undergo a quick dental exam to make sure that you’re a good candidate for the procedure. That’s because whitening treatments aren’t effective for all types of discoloration — yellowed teeth typically respond very well, brown teeth respond poorly, and grey teeth don’t usually improve at all.

Whitening treatments are also only effective on natural teeth and don’t work well on restorations like veneers, bonding, crowns, or bridges.

If you’re ready for a whiter, brighter smile, call Volterra Dental today at 562-596-7484 today, or request an appointment today.

Volterra Dental offers both in-office whitening procedures as well as customized take-home treatments:

• Laser Whitening: This advanced whitening treatment involves the use of a special whitening gel that’s activated by an LED laser. During this treatment, the Volterra Dental staff shields your lips and gums before applying the whitening gel to your teeth. When the laser activates the whitening agent in the gel, it speeds up the process of breaking up stains and removing discoloration. The team at Volterra Dental uses Zoom! in-office laser whitening, which can make your smile up to eight shades brighter in an hour or less.
• In-Home Whitening: Volterra Dental also offers Opalescence® teeth whitening, a chemically activated whitening treatment that uses a penetrating gel to break down discolored molecules deep in your enamel to whiten your teeth quickly and effectively. Because this treatment uses custom-created trays that fit closely against your teeth, you can do it yourself in the comfort of your own home. Your personal treatment recommendations, including treatment time, depending on the degree of staining and your desired level of whitening.

Just as hair and skin come in a variety of natural hues, teeth come in various shades of white. Although some people’s teeth are naturally brighter than others, no one wants their teeth to look dull, yellow, gray, or otherwise discolored.

Tooth discoloration often occurs slowly over time, either because of repeated staining, insufficient brushing, and flossing, or a combination of both.

Your teeth may look relatively smooth, but your enamel is actually filled with tiny imperfections where food particles and liquid residues can become trapped. When these stains add up over time, they can make your teeth appear less than white. If you allow plaque to build up at the same time, your teeth may look even more discolored.

Even if you have good oral health habits and maintain regular professional cleanings, you may experience greater degrees of tooth discoloration as you age. That’s because enamel gets thinner with age, allowing the darker dentin layer underneath the enamel to show through and make your teeth look less white.

Other factors that contribute to tooth discoloration include smoking cigarettes, drinking coffee, tea, or red wine, and taking certain prescription medications.