Do you have darkened tooth enamel? Are your teeth stained yellow? Try professional tooth whitening treatment.
At Orchard Hill Dental, Dr. Jessica Christy and her team offer in-office teeth whitening to eliminate tough stains on tooth enamel. Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental treatment that provides a brighter and healthier smile. Your dentist in Hendersonville, NC, and our dental care team take the patient’s age and overall health into account before treatment.
To receive professional teeth whitening treatment, you must be at least 18 years old, be in overall good health, and not pregnant or lactating.
There are many benefits to getting a teeth whitening procedure at the dentist. Teeth whitening treatment brightens teeth, improves tooth health, and is long-lasting. Whitening teeth can also reverse the effects of aging on teeth and help improve your confidence. Brightening your smile improves your teeth’ aesthetics and can also benefit your oral health.
Patients receiving our treatment motivate themselves to maintain their smiles by brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups.
Professional Teeth Whitening Treatments in Hendersonville
Orchard Hill Dental provides two quick and easy whitening treatments in our office: KoR Teeth Whitening and QuickPro Teeth Whitening.
KoR Teeth Whitening
Dr. Christy offers the unique KoR teeth whitening procedure. KoR can often treat deep stains that have penetrated several layers of enamel. After your examination, Dr. Christy will discuss the possible results you could achieve with KoR, depending on the nature and severity of your tooth discoloration or staining.
KoR uses a proprietary gel and does not require laser light to activate. It is applied using their specially designed trays that seal the treated area and keep your saliva from reducing the efficacy of the bleaching gel. A scientifically designed teeth whitening process, KoR can typically provide exceptional results.
QuickPro Teeth Whitening
This tooth whitening option is best for patients with brown or yellow-stained teeth. Treatment is quick as it takes 10 minutes with noticeable same-day results. First, our dentists will ensure we polish the teeth and remove all plaque. Then we apply a whitening varnish and fluoride varnish to the teeth. Your dentist will brush a Vitamin E oil on the lips for your comfort.
To get started, Dr. Christy will insert a cheek retractor, dry the teeth, and apply Liquidam. We will also apply a light coat of Vitamin E to the Liquidam. Then, our team will brush on a thin layer of hydrogen peroxide solution and then a layer of sealer. That’s it! Wait 30 minutes before removing the varnish; do not eat, drink, or smoke. You can go about your day as the varnish is colorless and nearly invisible.
What Causes Tooth Discoloration?
Teeth whitening is so popular because everyone experiences discolored teeth at some point. If nothing else, the process of aging discolors your teeth. Over time, the bright white outer layer of enamel wears away, exposing more of the off-white dentin layer underneath. Genetics plays a part, too. You may be predisposed to thinner enamel, resulting in more noticeable discoloration.
The diet also plays a part. Certain foods and drinks contain pigments that stain your teeth. These include coffee, red wine, and strawberries. The more you consume these things, the more staining you’ll see. Intense and vibrant color profiles in foods and beverages usually mean that they have the potential to stain. Acidic foods like soda and citrus fruits can contribute to discoloration because they increase the enamel erosion rate.
Tobacco use is harsh on your teeth. Tobacco products contain tar, nicotine, and other harmful chemicals. You see their results on your teeth with yellow and brownish staining. Tar and other substances seem to adhere extra hard to your teeth, making them harder to remove than other stains.
Poor oral hygiene shows in your smile. When you don’t brush and floss regularly, bacteria gather and form a sticky film called plaque over your teeth. If you continue to avoid brushing, the plaque hardens into a substance called tartar. The rough surface encourages more bacteria to congregate, and the hardened substance is harder to remove, too. Similar to tobacco stains, this discoloration is usually brown or yellow
When you experience a hit to your teeth, it can harm the inside blood vessels. It can cut off the blood flow, making this tooth look dull and “dead”. Trauma can also cause your tooth to form an extra layer of dentin to repair itself. This extra layer is darker in color than the rest of your teeth, making it stand out.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dental treatment. Learn more by reading the answers to these frequently asked questions.
How long after teeth whitening can I eat normally?
After teeth whitening, we recommend patients wait 72 hours before returning to their regular diet. Patients should avoid foods or drinks likely to stain teeth during this time.
How long after teeth whitening will I see results?
After teeth whitening treatment, patients must be patient while waiting for results to be visible. After 24 hours, you should notice that your teeth are visibly whiter. They will continue to become brighter for up to 72 hours after treatment.
Can I brush my teeth after the whitening treatment?
After whitening treatment, we recommend waiting a few hours before brushing your teeth. This gives the whitening solution time to settle and temporary sensitivity to decrease.
How long do teeth stay white after whitening?
After professional teeth whitening, teeth may stay white for six months to three years. The length that whitening effects last varies from patient to patient and is largely dependent on oral care and diet.
What to know before getting teeth whitening?
Before teeth whitening, we recommend patients have their teeth cleaned. This will make the treatment more effective and may help it to last longer. We also recommend patients refrain from eating or drinking anything that may stain their teeth before treatment.
Can teeth whitening damage teeth?
Teeth whitening products may cause damage to teeth. However, when used by a professional, this is rare. Dentists are professionally trained to use teeth whitening products in a safe manner that will not cause damage to your teeth or gums. When you use teeth whitening products at home, it is much more common for negative effects to appear.
Request a Consultation and Dental Exam
Do you want to brighten your smile with quick and convenient teeth whitening solutions? Call Orchard Hill Dental at (828) 247-7001 or request a consultation with Dr. Christy online. If you have any remaining questions about our tooth whitening treatments, feel free to ask a dental staff member. They will be happy to help you find a solution that fits your needs.