Professional teeth whitening offers a relatively simple way to address certain types of discoloration without making major changes to your teeth.
It's normal for your teeth to change color as you get older. Coffee, tea, certain foods, tobacco, and everyday wear can all leave your teeth looking darker or more yellow than they once did. Teeth whitening is a cosmetic treatment that can help lighten discoloration and bring back a brighter appearance. Depending on the type of staining, whitening products work by breaking down the compounds responsible for the discoloration in your natural teeth.
You might not think much about the color of your teeth until you notice them in a photograph or compare your smile to how it looked a few years ago. For some people, stained or yellowed teeth can be a source of embarrassment, making them less comfortable smiling or laughing around others. Professional teeth whitening offers a relatively simple way to address certain types of discoloration without making major changes to your teeth.
At Northside Dental, we'll examine your teeth and talk about what kind of results you can reasonably expect from whitening treatment. Not all stains respond the same way, and existing crowns, veneers, and fillings won't change color with whitening products. We want to make sure you understand your options and choose something that works for your teeth, schedule, and budget. Our staff is also happy to answer any questions you have about sensitivity or what to expect during treatment.
If you're interested in teeth whitening, call Northside Dental at 317-342-9446 to schedule an appointment, or visit our office at 15026 Greyhound Ct., Carmel, IN 46032.
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Are You a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
You may say that your number one concern is having whiter teeth. Your teeth are one of the first things that people notice about your appearance, so it is important to have a healthy and whiter-looking smile.
Depending on how much treatment is needed to achieve your desired level of whiteness, you may experience sensitivity, which should not happen often if prepared ahead of time. If the problem persists, be sure to tell us, but using tooth-sensitivity toothpaste, a fluoride varnish, or a calcium-phosphate gel (MI paste) can also help to alleviate the discomfort from the sensitivity.
Tooth whitening is not only completed for cosmetic reasons. You may need tooth whitening to reduce the look of discoloration related to a medication. Prescription medications can discolor teeth if they were prescribed at a young age when your adult teeth were still developing.
Other reasons you may want tooth whitening include reducing the look of Fluorosis, which is when you had too much Fluoride treatment as your teeth were developing. This condition leaves large white or yellow lines on your teeth that can be reduced by tooth whitening. It is an excellent and non-invasive treatment that we can do quickly and efficiently in our clinic at Northside Dental.
At-Home Whitening versus Northside Dental
Working with us to whiten teeth is the ideal approach. While over-the-counter retail tooth whitening solutions do provide improvements in the levels of discoloration or stains on teeth, having Northside Dental perform teeth whitening treatment is the most efficient way to achieve the results you want. If having teeth whitened at home is essential to you, we do offer at-home component kits that can be purchased and used under our supervision. Sometimes, we combine in-office treatment with at-home treatment to ensure a long-lasting result. Working with us to have teeth whitening also provides a great deal of comfort if you are concerned about tooth sensitivity or side effects.
Teeth whitening systems at Northside Dental often incorporate gels that must be mixed in our office to help accelerate the whitening treatment and more efficiently provide the best results possible for you if you have significant levels of discoloration. This type of treatment is not available for at-home use, and any products on the market are not comparable to what we can provide concerning tooth whitening treatment.
When working with us to have teeth whitened, dental impressions will be taken. These molds will be used to create customized trays that will be used during your tooth whitening procedure. Using personalized trays delivers the best possible results. Using over-the-counter tooth whitening systems have generic, one-size-fits-all whitening trays, which leaves room for error and less impressive results overall. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide, the whitening agent, is considerably higher in the professional products versus what is available at retail.
Proper Oral Hygiene After Your Teeth Whitening
Following a tooth whitening treatment at Northside Dental, you may experience tooth sensitivity. We will recommend that you reduce your intake of coffee, tea, red wine, citrus, tomatoes, and berries for a few days, giving the teeth whitening a chance to set in. We will advise you to consider reducing the consumption of these beverages and foods anyway because they wear away the enamel, which will reduce the positive results of the tooth whitening treatment, and therefore increase the need for additional treatments more frequently.
Proper brushing and flossing must always continue, and regular dental exams are essential to maintain the success of the tooth whitening procedure and perform touch-ups, as necessary.
If you have any porcelain crowns, it could be necessary to replace them if the newly whitened teeth no longer match the crown. Everything that needs to be considered will be discussed before any treatment begins. It is important that you have all the information we need to make informed decisions about your oral health. Do not think tooth whitening is just a cosmetic procedure; it can also improve your oral health just like other dental procedures.
Teeth Whitening is Not Permanent
Tooth whitening is not a permanent solution. You will need to undergo regular tooth whitening sessions to maintain the look and results of your treatment. If you continue to engage in specific activities after having your teeth whitened, you are more likely to need additional whitening treatments more often. Events that will increase the need for further tooth whitening treatments include smoking, colas, drinking coffee or tea, as well as red wine. If you eat highly concentrated citrus or heavily colored foods, especially darker berries, you will also see the need to whiten more often.
Your Comfort and Your Care
At Northside Dental, we know that finding time for dental appointments can be difficult, especially when you have a busy schedule. We do our best to offer convenient appointment times and make each visit as comfortable and efficient as possible. Whether you're coming in for routine care or a specific dental concern, our team is here to help you get the treatment you need. We want to be a dental office that you and your family can rely on for years to come, and we look forward to welcoming you into our practice. Call Northside Dental at 317-342-9446 to schedule an appointment, or visit us at 15026 Greyhound Ct., Carmel, IN 46032.