Enhance the natural appearance of your teeth with teeth whitening in Longview, TX. Our dentists are dedicated to helping you achieve your dream smile.
Why Do Teeth Become Discolored?
Your teeth will darken over time. Changes in the color of your teeth can be caused by such factors as the food and beverages consumed (like coffee, tea, and soda). Other known factors for discoloration may include childhood medications or illnesses, tobacco use, or improper oral hygiene. Some medications, such as blood pressure medicine or allergy medicine like Benadryl, decrease saliva production, increasing the risk of tooth discoloration. Restoring your natural white smile is a priority for our dental whitening team. We can provide a variety of options for whitening your smile.
Should I Use Over-the-Counter Whitening Products?
Our dentists do not recommend that patients use over-the-counter whitening products. Although they may sound like a quick solution, these products are often inaccurate and can cause tooth sensitivity if misused.
We are trained professionals using industry-approved methods. Our goal is to meet the needs of every patient, and every patient’s needs are different. Our dentists offer in-office and at-home teeth whitening services with professional-grade teeth-whitening products.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
Our dentists will create a custom-made whitening tray for at-home teeth whitening for you to wear at home with your whitening gel. Your dentist will first invite you into the office for a whitening appointment to make the tray. They will take an impression of your teeth and send it to a lab for the tray to be made. A teeth whitening tray may look like a retainer. However, it has whitening pockets in front of each tooth to hold the whitening gel.
Your dentist will invite you back once the tray arrives at the office. After you try the tray on, they will give you a whitening gel. This gel is professional-grade and contains either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Your dentist will instruct you on how long to wear your whitening tray with the gel each day.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
If you prefer dramatic results, quicker, in-office teeth whitening may be for you. In-office teeth whitening usually lasts 30 to 45 minutes and can whiten your teeth in multiple shades. To conduct in-office whitening, your dentist will apply a whitening gel to your teeth and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then they will rinse it off and repeat the process a few times. Your dentist may suggest an LED light to speed up the whitening process.
How To Prevent Tooth Discoloration
Many patients ask us how they can prevent tooth discoloration at home. The best way is to avoid products that can cause stains, such as tea, coffee, and soda. However, this may not be realistic for all patients. To decrease the discoloration impact, we recommend that patients drink through a straw and stay hydrated. Frequent sips of water rinse bacteria and debris off your teeth and reduce the risk of discoloration.
Our dentists also recommend that patients follow a good oral hygiene routine. You should brush, floss, and use mouthwash twice a day for your oral hygiene routine. Additionally, it would help to visit our dental office in Longview, TX, every six months for a dental cleaning and exam. Taking these steps will help you reduce your risk for tooth discoloration.
We can help you achieve your dream white smile with professional teeth whitening. For more information about teeth whitening or to schedule an appointment, call our office.
