If you’re not happy with your smile because of stains, yellowing, or discoloration, you’re not alone! Stains are one of the most common cosmetic issues in patients of all ages. And at Walnut Creek Dental, we’re here to help! We offer professional take-home and in-office whitening options in Groveport, OH and the surrounding areas.
But what’s actually involved in treatment? In this guide, we’ll break it down. We’ll discuss what affects the natural color of your teeth, the differences between professional vs. DIY whitening options, how to care for your newly-whitened smile, and everything else you need to know about teeth whitening.
First, it’s important to note that not everyone has naturally bright, white, flawless teeth. Genetic variations can cause your teeth to look a little more yellow, even if they're healthy. This is because some people have thinner enamel.
Enamel is the hard, strong, and white outer layer of your tooth, and it’s what makes your teeth look bright. Dentin is the second layer, just below the enamel. It’s softer, more malleable, and more yellow in color than the enamel.
Enamel isn’t totally opaque. This means that some of the dentin may “show through” your teeth. This is especially true if you have thin enamel, which can be caused by certain genetic factors. Enamel also tends to become thinner with age, which is why older people tend to have teeth that are a little more yellow in color.
Teeth whitening can address these issues to a certain extent. But if you have very yellow teeth due to advanced age or thin enamel, alternative treatments like veneers, dental bonding, or dental crowns may be a better option for strengthening and restoring your teeth.
While genetics and age have an effect on the color of your teeth, they are not usually the primary causes of discoloration. Instead, lifestyle choices and habits are what affect the color of your teeth the most. These can include:
Generally speaking, teeth whitening is ideal for removing these surface stains. With in-office or take-home teeth whitening in Groveport, OH from Dr. Pappas and our team, you can eliminate years of stains and yellowing and love how your smile looks once again.
Wondering how teeth whitening works? There are lots of different whitening products out there, but they mostly use the same common ingredients, which are called “peroxides.” The most common peroxides for teeth whitening are carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide.
Peroxides contain very volatile oxygen molecules. When these contact a surface stain on the enamel, they “snap” the chemical bond that holds the stain in place. This bleaches away the stain and restores the natural brightness of your enamel!
Confused about all of your options for whitening your teeth? In this section of our guide to teeth whitening, we’ll break down the difference between in-office whitening, professional take-home kits, and DIY, over-the-counter whitening products.
If you want fast results, in-office teeth whitening is exactly what you need at Walnut Creek Dental. In this procedure, your dentist can whiten your smile by 5-10 shades in just one visit.
Before beginning the teeth whitening procedure, your dentist will clean your teeth and then apply a protectant to your gums. Then, they will isolate your teeth from your tongue, cheeks, and lips with dental retractors. After this, your dentist will apply whitening gel directly to your teeth and activate it with a special UV light.
Your dentist will leave the gel in place for a few minutes while it whitens your smile. Then, they will rinse it away, check the color of your teeth, and repeat the process if necessary. Treatment usually takes between 60-90 minutes. Once your visit is over, you’ll be able to walk out of Walnut Creek Dental with a bright new smile!
If you’d prefer to whiten your teeth at home but still want safe, effective, professional-grade results, Dr. Pappas and our dentists can help. We offer take-home whitening kits to help you achieve the smile of your dreams in the comfort of your own home.
To begin the process, you’ll visit Walnut Creek Dental for a consultation, and your dentist will take an impression of your teeth. They will use this impression to create a set of custom, reusable trays that you’ll wear to whiten your smile.
You’ll come back in a few weeks to pick up your trays, as well as a set of professional-grade whitening products and instructions on how to use them. Your dentist will send you home, and you’ll start whitening your teeth. Most patients whiten their teeth for about an hour per day over a 2-3 week period.
By the end of your treatment, you’ll have a beautiful and bright smile. Not only that, but you’ll be able to whiten your teeth more gradually. This makes it less obvious that you’ve had your teeth whitened, which some patients prefer.
Along with professional whitening, there are a variety of DIY, over-the-counter whitening products that you can use to whiten your teeth or maintain your smile brightness at home. These include:
Wondering if teeth whitening is safe? The answer is “yes.” As long as your mouth is healthy and you get treatment from an experienced cosmetic dentist like Dr. Pappas or one of the other dentists at Walnut Creek Dental, the treatment is extremely safe.
Most patients will experience some level of tooth sensitivity after teeth whitening. This is normal and will go away within a few days of your whitening procedure. Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine and using fluoride toothpaste will help rebuild your teeth and reduce sensitivity.
Gum irritation may also occur in some cases. At Walnut Creek Dental, we do our best to minimize the risk of gum irritation by using gum protectant for in-office whitening. For take-home whitening treatment, we use custom-built whitening trays that help prevent the whitening compound from contacting the gums.
If you want to whiten your teeth, we recommend avoiding DIY whitening kits. Even if you choose an ADA-accepted product like Crest Whitestrips, you have a higher risk of experiencing tooth sensitivity, gum irritation, or even tooth damage from overwhitening.
With professional in-office or take-home teeth whitening from Walnut Creek Dental, you’ll be able to get the fastest results, reduce your risk of side effects, and get peace of mind. You’ll know that your smile is in good hands throughout the whitening process!
Everyone wants a whiter smile. So it should come as no surprise that there are a few different myths and misconceptions that have popped up around teeth whitening, such as:
Teeth whitening is an investment in your smile. And if you want to maintain your results and reduce the buildup of stains in the future, there are a few tips you should follow after you get teeth whitening in Groveport, OH from Walnut Creek Dental:
You should brush at least twice per day for two minutes, cleaning each tooth thoroughly to remove food particles, plaque, and other debris. Daily flossing helps keep your teeth strong, too.
You can also use an ADA-accepted whitening toothpaste and mouthwash. These contain a small amount of peroxide, which helps eliminate minor stains and keeps your smile bright. Make sure these products contain fluoride, too! Fluoride helps strengthen your enamel and keeps your teeth strong.
In general, you should cut back on beverages like wine, coffee, tea, energy drinks, soda, and other acidic or sugary drinks. Reducing your intake of certain foods like curry, berries, and tomato sauce can help reduce stains, too.
When you do consume staining beverages, using a straw can help minimize contact with your teeth, lowering the risk of developing stains. Once you’re done with your beverage, you can also rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash to reduce the risk of stain buildup.
Teeth cleanings and oral exams are essential for your oral health. Not only that, but cleanings from the team at Walnut Creek Dental help eliminate surface stains caused by plaque and tartar buildup. Even if you do a great job of brushing your teeth at home, six-month cleanings will help your smile stay brighter and healthier, too!
If you want to keep your smile bright forever, ask your dentist at Walnut Creek Dental about whitening touch-ups. Depending on your level of staining and the brightness of your teeth, we typically recommend that you get a touch-up every 6-12 months.
If you’re struggling with teeth stains and discoloration and are interested in teeth whitening in Groveport, OH, Dr. Pappas and the dentists at Walnut Creek Dental are here to help. We’re experts in cosmetic dentistry and can provide the professional teeth whitening treatment you need for a vibrant, bright, and confident smile. Give us a call at (614) 864-2466 or contact us online to book your visit today and learn about all of your options for in-office and take-home whitening treatment.
Call 614-864-2466 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.
