Smile Whitening

Teeth whitening is one of the newer procedures that have been used to improve smiles. If your teeth are yellowed or darkened by tea, coffee, soft drinks, berry juice, soy sauce, wine, tobacco, tetracycline antibiotics or just naturally yellow and dark, much can be done to brighten your smile.

As the years go by the stains from the substances mentioned above, as well as others, tend to be absorbed by our teeth causing them to become yellow and dark. As we get older the tooth structure under the enamel tends to become more dense resulting in a darker tooth. These stains are different from surface stains which can easily be removed by Dr. Weikum or his hygienist with a cleaning and polishing of your teeth.

Smile whitening has dramatically improved the appearance of many smiles. More and more people are enjoying the results of the whitening procedures they have experienced. Whitening your smile makes you and your smile more attractive.

Commercial toothpastes (teeth whitening toothpastes) can be effective in removing the surface stains like coffee or tea stains which accumulate on the surface of your teeth but they don’t do much to whiten the dentine of the tooth, which is where much of the discoloration comes from. One of the disadvantages of these whitening toothpastes is they tend to be quite abrasive compared to regular toothpaste and have been shown to wear tooth enamel away.

Smile whitening will not change the color of any restorations you may have such as crowns or bridges.

The whitening gels actually change the color of teeth but are not as effective on brownish or grayish colorations and staining. The whitening gels also don’t affect the color of pitted or badly discolored teeth as much. In these situations porcelain crowns or veneers may be the answer to that "smile of your dreams".

Professional teeth whitening, like that performed by our office, is considered to be the safest and most effective way to whiten your teeth. We recommend a whitening touch up every time you have a cleaning (at least twice yearly and up to four times). This will enable you to maintain the level of whiteness and brightness you are accustomed to in your smile. Over the counter whitening systems can help some smiles but often individuals will come to us for additional help with whitening their smiles.

Some Frequently Asked Questions related to Smile Whitening:

1. What is teeth whitening [smile whitening]? Teeth whitening is a procedure that utilizes hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to lighten discoloration of tooth enamel and dentin. The structure of a tooth remains unchanged, only the color is made lighter. Whitening gel is applied in a custom fitted tray that is worn during the day or at night during sleep.
2. What is a whitening tray and how does it work? A teeth whitening tray is an inconspicuous appliance made from a soft clear plastic that is custom fitted to your mouth and is designed to hold the whitening gel in place during the treatment. These comfortable custom-fitted trays optimize the whitening success by keeping the gel in contact with your teeth and away from your gums.
3. Is teeth [smile] whitening safe? Yes! Over 500 research and clinical studies have proven that whitening teeth with peroxide under the supervision of a dental professional is completely safe for enamel, dentin and soft tissue [gum tissue].
4. Are there any side effects associated with teeth whitening? Some patients may experience tooth sensitivity, temporary discomfort of the gums, throat, lips or tongue. These symptoms are always temporary and usually disappear within 1-2 days after interruption or completion of treatment. Only a small percentage of patients experience sensitivity with bleaching. Should this occur, contact my office. It may be recommended that you bleach every second or third night/day. Foods and juice high in citric acid can cause your teeth to be sensitive.
5. Are there any contraindications associated with teeth whitening? Teeth whitening can benefit almost anyone! However, patients with pre-existing cosmetic restorations [bonding, porcelain crowns or veneers, etc.] may need to replace them after the whitening treatment in order to match their new, whiter smile. Whitening is not recommended for patients who are pregnant or nursing, nor is it indicated for use on children. Coffee, tea, tobacco, red wine, purple grape juice and coke products can restain your teeth over time. Should this occur, the teeth can be re-whitened with a few applications of whitening gel.
6. How long does whitening take? Whiter teeth are often noticed after the very first application and maximum results generally occur when the treatment is continued for at least 7-14 days. Remember, teeth are naturally darker along the gum-line. These areas may require more time to lighten than the rest of the tooth surface and usually remain tinted darker than the incisal edges.
7. How long does teeth whitening last? Typical results last several years. Patients can "touch-up" for a few days once or twice a year, especially if they continue to use staining substances like coffee, tea, tobacco or red wine.