Teeth Whitening

Teeth Whitening and Bleaching in Silver Spring & Hyattsville, MD

When patients think about cosmetic dentistry, they often default to some of the more complicated procedures that characterize the field like dental crowns or dental implants, for example. However, not all cosmetic dentistry needs to be that complex. In fact, one of the most common treatments performed by Dr. Allen Gotora from Stellar Dental is actually teeth whitening. Teeth whitening, sometimes known as bleaching, is, as the name implies, a method by which dentists can reverse tooth discoloration.

Because having a clean and beautiful smile has become such an important trait in recent years, teeth whitening products have dramatically grown in size and scope. Chances are, you could even pick up at-home remedies at your local drugstore.

Professional whitening services, however, remain an integral product for many patients. As we’ll explain below, a professional cleaning can be far more effective than over-the-counter products.

Why do teeth become discolored?

To understand why whitening might be necessary in the first place, though, it helps to know why discoloration or staining can occur in the first place.

Tooth discoloration is by no means rare. In fact, everyone experiences some amount of staining in their teeth. This is because the causes of discoloration are widespread and common. They include:

• Eating certain foods and drinks:

  Some foods (like blueberries and tomatoes) and drinks (like coffee, tea, and red wine) can have staining effects on the teeth, typically caused by a naturally-occurring chemical in the foods. Brushing your teeth immediately after eating and avoiding these foods in general can help reduce the staining effect, but some discoloration may still build up over time.

• Taking some medications:

  Discoloration isn’t just caused by food. Some medications can make the teeth more prone to staining as well. For example, antihistamines and high blood pressure medications are some of the most common drugs associated with tooth discoloration. Obviously, it may not be possible to avoid taking these medicines, which is why teeth whitening products can be so helpful.

• Smoking:

  One stain-causing behavior that you can avoid, though, is smoking. Smokers often have yellow and even brown teeth because both tobacco and nicotine have staining effects on the teeth. It’s yet another reason to quit smoking sooner rather than later.

• Genetics:

  Some people may experience tooth discoloration simply because their teeth are genetically more prone to staining. If you happen to be one of these people, making sure your daily oral hygiene practices are effective can be a good way to prevent the worst signs of staining, but teeth whitening may also be on your horizon.

• Aging:

  Finally, as people age, their teeth age with them, and this can include discoloration. No one is immune from the effects of aging, which means that, even if you do everything else right, you might still find yourself in need of teeth whitening services at some point in your life.

How does a professional teeth whitening work?

So, how does a professional teeth whitening procedure work? At Stellar Dental, we provide teeth whitening in the form of Zoom! Whitening.

• Zoom! is one of the most effective whitening strategies because it involves the use of a custom tray designed especially for your teeth. Impressions will be taken of both your top and bottom teeth, and these impression will be used to fashion trays that fit perfectly over your teeth. This ensures that the whitening will affect as much of your teeth as possible since the trays maximize the interaction between the special whitening gel and your teeth.

• Once the trays are created, we’ll provide you with a special whitening gel that can be carefully applied over each tray when the tray is worn on the teeth. You can use this whitening system every day for as long as you’d like. The trays are completely reusable, and you’ll notice a significant difference after even a few days of treatment. Most patients finish the procedure with teeth that are as much as four to eight shades whiter than they were before Zoom!

If you’re interested in finding out if you would be a candidate for Zoom! whitening for your teeth, or if you just want more information about professional whitening services, you should visit Dr. Allen Gotora from Stellar Dental at our Maryland offices. Just call (301) 754-1900 or visit the website: Stellar Dental to set up an appointment today!