As a dentist in Garden Grove, CA one of the most common complaints we hear is: “how hard is it to get my teeth whitened?”. Fortunately for our patients, the most common answer to that question is that it’s not hard at all. Whitening your teeth has become one of the most common (and affordable) procedures to instantly feel better about your smile. The best part is that it can be done quickly and easily.
To learn more about teeth whitening in at Garden Grove Dental Arts, read some of the answers to the most common questions we receive:
What kinds of stains will teeth whitening procedures take care of?
Whitening your teeth is known to be more effective on yellowish stains than brownish or gray stained teeth. This makes teeth whitening a popular choice for smokers. While whitening for darker stains is possible, it generally takes much longer. For darker stains, the the the blue-stains from tetracycline, many dentist recommend an alternative procedure such as veneers or crowns.
What sort of follow-up care is required?
After an in-office whitening treatment, your dentist may schedule a follow-up appointment to inspect your gums and assess how they react to the whitening. This is often required for patients with sensitive teeth or receding gums. If you’re whitening at home, your dentist will want to see you a couple weeks after your application to check your whitening progress.
Is Tooth Whitening Permanent?
Tooth whitening is not permanent, but it does last for quite a while. If you expose your teeth to food and beverages that are known to stain your teeth (like coffee or tea) and smoke, you will notice that whitening will start to fade much more rapidly. If you avoid foods that can stain your teeth, you may be able to wait over a year before your next whitening.
Are there Risks with In-Office Teeth Whitening?
The risks of teeth whitening are relatively minor, including a (temporary) sensitivity increase and the possibility for minor irritation of the gums. These conditions tend to disappear within 1 to 3 days. Symptoms of this can be alleviated by using a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. If whitening at home, you can also try wearing the tray for a shorter duration and waiting for two or three days between applications.
Does Whitening Your Teeth Damage Them?
It’s been proven that whitening products have an unnoticeable affect on the mineral content and hardness of your tooth’s enamel.
Do you have questions about getting a whiter, brighter smile? We have answers! Contact us today to learn more about in-office tooth whitening in Garden Grove.