Teeth Whitening
Trusted Dental Care in Everett, WA
PROFESSIONAL TEETH WHITENING IN EVERETT, WASHINGTON
Whenever you want to give your smile a brightness boost, professional teeth whitening is the best way to go about it.
There are hundreds of different whitening products and techniques out there, but nothing beats the safety and efficacy of a treatment administered by a dentist.
Here we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of different teeth whitening methods, and explain how you can get professional teeth whitening at Perfect Smiles Dentistry in Everett, Washington.
What is causing teeth to turn dark or yellow over time?
First, it’s good to understand why your teeth don’t stay bright white all the time. Actually, most people’s teeth are naturally an off-white color. Anyone with perfectly white teeth has probably had a cosmetic procedure like veneers.
The reason for this is that the outer coating of the teeth, called enamel, is slightly translucent. This translucency allows some of the yellowish dentin beneath to show through. Enamel can become thinner as we age, sped along by poor diet and oral hygiene, making teeth look more yellow.
The things we consume also contribute to staining on the tooth surface. You’re probably already aware of the common culprits like tea, coffee, red wine and tobacco.
Professional teeth whitening, along with regular professional cleaning, will help counteract these things and give you a healthier, brighter smile.
Why get professional teeth whitening at Perfect Smiles Dentistry?
Many of our patients visit us for Zoom professional teeth whitening in Everett, WA because their teeth are impacting their self-confidence. It’s true that one of the first things we notice about people is their smile, and if your teeth are a little on the yellow side, you might start feeling conscious about laughing or smiling.
A lot of people believe that yellow teeth are a sign of poor oral health, although this is not necessarily true.
Still, knowing that your teeth look great can give you that confidence boost to be yourself, whoever you are with.
As part of your professional whitening treatment we will also clean your teeth, if necessary. This ensures that all plaque and tartar is removed so the whitening gel has contact with the entire tooth surface.
Professional whitening vs. over-the-counter products
In your effort to get whiter teeth, perhaps you have already tried some OTC whitening products like toothpastes, strips and LED whitening kits. And now you’re looking at professional teeth whitening because you weren’t satisfied with the results?
All of these products can have some whitening effect, but will likely only get your teeth 2-3 shades brighter. They also come with certain risks:
Whitening toothpaste can be quite abrasive, and may harm your enamel if used too often (and this will make your teeth look yellower).
Bleaching agents can easily get onto your gums and tongue, causing irritation and burns. Professional whitening treatments include measures to protect the gums.
Because the ingredients are weaker, you may be tempted to use these products for longer or more often than recommended. This can contribute to long-term enamel damage and sensitivity.
If you have any tooth decay or gum disease, this should be taken care of before you attempt to whiten your teeth. Otherwise, you risk making the problem worse.
So although professional whitening requires a larger up-front investment, the results will stay for longer and you’ll have the assurance that it is being administered safely by Dr. Gowda or one of her team here.
Zoom teeth whitening near you in Everett, WA
We work with Philips Zoom professional teeth whitening, which is one of the biggest and most established brands. There are three ways to receive this treatment, and each one can be customized with different strengths of peroxide according to your needs:
In-office (chairside) whitening
Zoom teeth whitening is probably best known for the in-office treatment which can give you a noticeably whiter smile in just one hour. This uses a special blue lamp to accelerate the whitening ingredients in the gel.
Take-home kits
You can also get a Zoom whitening kit with custom-made mouth trays to take home and use every day for around 2 weeks. The results take longer to appear, but this is still a very effective way to whiten your teeth.
Combination treatment
For instant results that stay for longer, we recommend combining the in-office Zoom whitening with a take-home treatment.
Professional teeth whitening procedure at Perfect Smiles Dentistry
The in-office Zoom teeth whitening procedure looks like this:
Step 1: Consultation and examination
We’ll begin by understanding what you’d like to achieve so we can tailor your treatment towards this. Your dentist will also check to make sure your teeth and gums are in good condition for whitening.
If you need a professional teeth cleaning, we might do this a week or two before your whitening treatment to give your gums a chance to recover.
Step 2: Gingival barrier
This is applied to your gums to protect them from the bleaching agent in the gel.
Step 3: Whitening
Now we can apply the peroxide gel to your teeth and let it get to work, accelerated by a high-powered light. It penetrates the enamel and lightens the inner layer of the tooth, as well as whitening surface stains. Your dentist will repeat this 2-3 times, with each individual session lasting 15 minutes. The total treatment time will be around 45 minutes to 1 hour.
If you are getting a whitening kit to use at home, we will need to take impressions of your teeth to make your custom mouth trays. These are designed to fit your teeth and keep the gel evenly coating the surface while you complete your treatment each day.
How often should you get in-office whitening treatment?
This is a relatively intense dental treatment and it’s best not to repeat it too often. Usually once a year is sufficient for in-office professional whitening, and you may wish to do top up treatments between visits with bleaching trays.
What about sensitivity? Is teeth whitening painful?
Some patients do experience some sensitivity or discomfort as the peroxide penetrates the enamel. This can last for a day or two after treatment.
If you have a history of sensitive teeth, please mention this when you visit. We can spread in-office treatment over several visits to lessen the effect of any sensitivity, or we can look at other ways to achieve the shade you want.
Caring for and maintaining your whiter smile
After getting your teeth to a shade you love, you’ll want to maintain the results for as long as possible.
To help with this, you can:
Avoid smoking
Limit your consumption of foods and drinks that will stain your teeth
Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily
Visit Perfect Smiles Dentistry for regular dental checkups and teeth cleaning
Dr. Gowda and her team will be happy to offer further recommendations and show you the best technique for brushing and flossing effectively.
Book your professional teeth whitening appointment today!
Contact UsWhether it’s your first time whitening your teeth, you’re dissatisfied with the other methods you have tried, or you’re a seasoned whitener ready for your next professional teeth whitening treatment, Perfect Smiles Dentistry is here for you.
We care about helping you achieve a smile you feel proud to show off, so give us a call or book an appointment now!
When you need dental services, trust Perfect Smiles Dentistry in Everett, Washington, to provide you with the best local dentist care.
Contact us for all your dental needs, and let us maintain your oral health and smile with precision and compassion.