Teeth Whitening – Slidell, LA
Achieve a Dazzling Smile That Inspires Confidence
Teeth can become stained over the years due to a variety of reasons—and no matter how hard you may try, even with diligent oral hygiene, it’s still possible to suffer from dental discoloration. However, this issue isn’t one that you have to live with; not when teeth whitening can help! To learn more about your teeth whitening options or to schedule a consultation with our office, feel free to give our friendly team a call today.
Why Choose Camellia City Family Dentistry for Teeth Whitening?
- Take-Home Kits and In-Office Whitening
- Skilled Dentist with Years of Experience
- Flexible Financing Options Available
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Most patients who desire brighter and whiter teeth are excellent candidates for teeth whitening, assuming they’re in decent oral health. If you have any existing dental issues, such as untreated cavities or symptoms of gum disease, our team will need to address them before we can kick off the whitening process, since it could alter your results or cause irritation. Once we’ve confirmed that your smile is healthy, we’ll discuss your aesthetic goals with you to make sure that whitening is the right service to help you achieve them. We’ll also walk you through the process, provide you with a timeline, and review your whitening options, which include both in-office whitening as well as take-home kits.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening treatments are highly customizable based on every patient’s unique needs, but the process is fairly similar for each case. To put it simply, we’ll use special-grade whitening agents to target stubborn intrinsic and extrinsic staining. We can do this using one of two primary methods:
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
If you’re more concerned with convenience and flexibility, we may recommend one of our take-home teeth whitening kits, which can be used on your own schedule and in the comfort of your own home. This option will produce the same high-quality results that you’d get if you came into our office for whitening—and it far outperforms store-bought whitening solutions. We’ll also give you exact instructions to set your treatment up for success.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
If you want faster results that you can begin showing off sooner, and you don’t mind leaving it up to us, in-office whitening treatment might be your best bet! We’ll use an ultra-strength bleaching gel to remove even the most stubborn stains, and in as little as one hour, you’ll be able to enjoy a grin that’s several shades brighter. If you have an upcoming milestone event, in-office whitening can help get your smile picture-ready!
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Once you’ve whitened your teeth, it falls on you to keep your results intact—but luckily, this is quite easy to do if you stay on top of your oral hygiene! Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Aim to limit your exposure to dark-colored foods and drinks, like soda, coffee, tea, red wines and sauces, soy sauce, etc.
- Brush your teeth twice a day using a toothpaste with fluoride and a soft-bristled toothbrush. You should also floss daily to supplement the job done by your toothbrush.
- Visit your dentist every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning; they can also touch up your whitening results as needed!
- Avoid poor dental habits, like smoking or using tobacco, biting your fingernails, or using your teeth as tools; any habit that can harm your teeth can impact your whitening results!
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Am I A Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
If you’re not 100% happy with the shade of your smile when you see your face in the mirror, then you can potentially benefit from professional in-office or take-home teeth whitening. However, that doesn’t mean it’s the best treatment to meet everyone’s unique needs.
For example, extrinsic surface stains caused by prolonged or repeated consumption of deeply toned foods and drinks tend to respond better to topical treatments than blemishes in the lower layer of dentin. Other options, like veneers or dental bonding, might be more appropriate. After consulting with Dr. Tomaszewski, he can suggest potential solutions based on his findings.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?
Once you achieve the perfect hue and finally have the smile of your dreams, you likely want to know how long you can expect to enjoy the recent enhancement. Typically, professional teeth whitening lasts anywhere from six months to three years, though it depends on your unique situation.
For instance, you can maintain the brighter hue by avoiding darkly pigmented foods known to cause discoloration, like coffee, tea, wine, berries, and tomatoes. You can also prevent additional stains by brushing and flossing twice daily, and visiting Dr. Tomaszeski every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning. This allows him to monitor your condition and polish away more recent surface stains.
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Many people wanting to improve their appearance avoid this treatment because they worry it will hurt, but thankfully, that’s not usually the case. Lightening your enamel is usually so straightforward that there’s no need for needles or numbing.
With that said, it does have the potential to cause temporary sensitivity. Your enamel is full of microscopic pores that expand when they come into contact with the bleach, allowing sensations to travel more easily into the nerves of your teeth. This usually fades on its own after a few days and can often be mitigated with over-the-counter medications like Tylenol or ibuprofen.
How Does Store-Bought Whitening Differ from Professional Services?
Many stores and pharmacies carry commercial-grade teeth whitening kits and gels, leading some patients to wonder why they should invest in more costly professional services. However, when it comes to cosmetic procedures, the quality of a product is often reflected in its price.
Over-the-counter solutions often contain diluted bleaching agents that are less effective and lead to inconsistent results. Plus, they rely on one-size-fits-all applicators with plenty of room for error.
Meanwhile, our team in Slidell utilizes ultra-concentrated gels designed to mitigate potential sensitivity. Whether you opt for the instant results of an in-office visit or prefer a take-home kit with custom-fitted trays, we can provide reliable results you can’t wait to show off!
