Teeth Whitening Specialist

What causes teeth to become stained or discolored?

Over time, your enamel, the outer layer of your teeth, wears down, revealing a yellowish layer underneath, called dentin. There are also certain foods and beverages that cause stains to develop on your teeth, including:

• Mustard
• Red wine
• Coffee
• Dark teas
• Berries
• Pasta sauce
• Curry

Avoiding, or at least limiting, your intake of these foods and beverages can limit your risk of developing stains on your teeth.

How does teeth whitening work?

At Vista Family Dental Care, Dr. Felix offers both in-office and at-home teeth whitening. She also offers custom whitening trays. Using whitening products made by Ultradent Products, Inc., you can whiten your teeth by several shades either during a short appointment at the office or at home on your own schedule.

Both types of whitening procedures involve bleaching your teeth with chemical solutions containing the active ingredient hydrogen peroxide, a powerful bleaching agent. The whitening solution breaks up the concentration of stains and discolorations on your teeth, making them appear whiter. During in-office procedures, which takes just 40 minutes, Dr. Felix administers the whitening solution with a syringe.

For at-home whitening, Dr. Felix provides trays with whitening solution lined inside them that fit snugly in your mouth. She outlines how often to wear the whitening trays, and after a few weeks you’ll have a much-improved smile.

Does teeth whitening hurt?

Generally, teeth whitening is relatively painless. However, in some cases, tooth sensitivity or irritation of the gums occurs after teeth whitening procedures. These side effects should subside on their own shortly after teeth whitening.

How long do teeth whitening results last?

The results of teeth whitening procedures vary depending on how well you care for your teeth afterward. If you brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily, your results will last longer. Also, avoiding foods and beverages that stain your teeth can help extend your teeth whitening results.

In some cases, results can last a few years, but an in-office touch-up or using at-home whitening trays every six months or a year can help keep your smile looking perfect.

To schedule a teeth whitening procedure to rejuvenate your smile, call or book an appointment online today.