Teeth Whitening Specialist

What causes teeth to change color?

Teeth naturally lose their white, bright appearance due to the aging process. Over the years, your tooth enamel wears down, revealing more of the yellow dentin underneath.

Other things that stain your teeth include:

• Drinking beverages with tannins like coffee, cola, or red wine
• Eating foods like berries or tomato-based sauces
• Taking medication that contains tetracycline
• Poor oral hygiene
• Oral trauma

You might also develop yellow, brown, or stained teeth if you use tobacco.

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is a type of cosmetic dentistry. It uses medical-grade solutions to eliminate stains and discoloration from the surfaces of your teeth, making them appear brighter, whiter, and more aesthetically pleasing.

There are a variety of whitening systems available, but almost all of them use carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide as their primary ingredients. Both peroxide chemicals are completely harmless and provide results that last for four to six months and sometimes even longer.

What are the types of teeth whitening?

At HP Dentistry PC, Dr. Pasnikowska and the team offer two types of teeth whitening, including:

In-office laser teeth whitening

In-office laser teeth whitening can make your teeth between 8-10* shades lighter during a single appointment. During laser whitening, Dr. Pasnikowska covers your gums and tongue with a protective dam. Then, she applies a whitening gel to each of your teeth. After the gel sits for 15-20 minutes, she points a special laser light at them.

The laser light triggers an automatic whitening reaction that cuts through stains and discoloration. Dr. Pasnikowska repeats these same steps a few more times until you achieve your desired results.

Take-home teeth whitening trays

If you’re too busy to schedule an in-office whitening appointment, consider whitening your teeth at home. A take-home kit comes with two plastic mouthpieces and a bottle of bleaching solution. You line each mouthpiece with the bleaching solution and wear them for several hours at a time, whenever is most convenient.

How long will the results of teeth-whitening treatment last?

The results of teeth-whitening treatment typically last four to six months, but it’s possible to extend them with good oral hygiene. Dr. Pasnikowska recommends brushing and flossing twice daily and visiting HP Dentistry PC two times a year for an oral exam and professional teeth cleaning.

To prevent stains from collecting on your teeth, avoid using tobacco and drink dark-colored beverages from a straw.

To see if you can benefit from teeth whitening, make an appointment at HP Dentistry PC by calling the office, or clicking the online booking tool today.