Have you noticed that your smile isn’t as bright as it used to be? Perhaps your teeth have gradually discolored due to simple aging and wear and tear, or maybe you know that coffee, tobacco use, certain medications, or poor oral hygiene are to blame for the stains on your teeth. Regardless of how your teeth became stained or discolored, teeth whitening in Irvine has never been more simple and efficient.
At Park Place Dentistry, we are proud to offer more than one method for whitening your teeth. We provide a power teeth whitening service, which takes place right in our office, or a take home teeth whitening kit that you can use on your own. We recognize that advertised over-the-counter whitening options don’t always work like they claim, and we don’t want you to waste your time and money when there are better choices for you right in our facility. Rather than trust your bright smile to just anyone, we encourage you to visit one of our trained professionals who are well versed in the latest industry methods for teeth whitening.
How does whitening work?
When you come for teeth whitening in Irvine at our office, you will find that the process is a simple and painless one. Your dentist will simply apply a gel to your teeth that uses light activation. Once the gel is applied and you are placed under the light, all you have to do is sit and wait. When the session is over, the gel will be gently removed.
If you are using one of our at home whitening kits, you will simply need to follow the included instructions and apply the treatment to your teeth for the specified amount of time.
Both the in-office and home whitening treatments use a chemical agent like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The main difference between the treatments is the strength of the active ingredient. The strength will be greater with the treatment in our Orange County office.
Should I prep my teeth first?
It’s always a good idea to have your teeth be as clean as possible before your whitening procedure. Avoid any substances that encourage stains, like coffee or tea. Your dentist might suggest that you have a full, professional cleaning done first before the whitening treatment.
When will I see results?
ou will see some results instantly. Over the next few days, you will notice that your teeth become whiter and whiter. You might need a few more whitening sessions if your teeth are extremely stained and discolored. If so, you will notice increased results after each session.
How can I make sure that my teeth stay white?
After you undergo teeth whitening in Irvine at our office, you will want to make sure that your results last as long as possible. You will experience longer lasting whitening if you are sure to take care of your teeth by brushing and flossing them regularly. You might want to avoid foods and drinks that are known to cause stains, such as dark berries, tea, and coffee. Additionally, your Orange County dentist might recommend a whitening toothpaste that you can use at home
Am I a candidate for teeth whitening?
You may be a candidate for teeth whitening in Irvine if you have otherwise healthy teeth and healthy gums. The whitening process will work best on patients with yellowed teeth.
The following circumstances could make you not a favorable candidate for whitening:
- Sensitive teeth – If your teeth are sensitive or your gums are receding, a whitening session might do more harm than good. You should ask your dentist ahead of time.
- Allergy – An allergy to peroxide would disqualify you from professional whitening, since it is the active ingredient in the product.
- Gum disease or cavities – You will need to correct these problems prior to the whitening session. Cavities especially need to be filled because the whitening solution will only cause sensitivity if it gets into existing decayed areas.
- Crowns, fillings, etc. – Any restorative dental materials (like fillings and resin used for veneers) do not whiten. Whitening the surrounding teeth could cause the color in your teeth to be uneven. If you need dental restorations, you can have your teeth whitened first and then have the restorations adhered to match your whitened shade. You may need to wait a couple weeks to have dental restorations performed after whitening.
- Pregnancy or nursing – Whitening is not recommended if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Talk to your dentist to find out if teeth whitening in Irvine is best for you.