Teeth Whitening, Fairfax VA
Teeth Whitening Fairfax VA
Teeth Whitening | A great smile is almost a necessity in life. Likewise, a bright smile makes you more attractive. It can help with your social life and even help you get a job. Indeed, people judge you based on your appearance. While there's only so much a new hairstyle or an updated wardrobe can do for you, there's no denying the power of a gorgeous smile.
While many people invest in braces to improve their smile, some already have straight, aligned teeth. They are simply embarrassed by stains caused by smoking or coffee consumption. Our lifestyle choices can cause teeth to discolor over time. If you are afraid to smile, talk or laugh because of black or yellow teeth, teeth whitening can help.
Teeth whitening is easy to come by. There are many products that you'll find in your local drugstore. Toothpaste, strips, pens, trays, and mouthwashes can help you achieve whiter smiles. While these products are convenient and inexpensive, they are not very effective. They may be able to last a month or so before you have to buy more products. The cycle continues.
If you're looking for a more effective option, you may want to consider in-office teeth whitening. This effective procedure can whiten teeth by many shades in just one one-hour appointment. The results can last a year or longer with proper care.
Are you interested in professional teeth whitening in Fairfax? If so, Breeze Dental can help you whiten your teeth and boost your self-confidence in the process. Contact us today to see if you are a good candidate.
Benefits
Teeth whitening offers many benefits. The most obvious one is whiter, brighter teeth in just one office visit. In an hour, you can make your teeth eight or more shades brighter. With so much focus on pretty smiles, your self-confidence will get a boost. You'll be proud to show off your new smile.
Also, teeth whitening is relatively safe. If done properly by an experienced dentist, it typically will not cause harm to your teeth.
Teeth whitening is done by your dentist. Likewise, it lasts a lot longer than over-the-counter products. These products may last a few weeks or months, so the results are temporary. While professional teeth whitening is not permanent, it can last years with proper care. You are given trays to touch up your teeth as needed.
There are some drawbacks, however. A high concentration of bleach is used during professional whitening, so some tooth sensitivity can occur. This typically wears off within days.
Bleaching is not recommended for those with certain oral health conditions. You are bleaching enamel, which is thin near the gum line. If you have receding gums, the procedure will expose your root tissues.
Also, it does not work on all teeth. Professional whitening cannot whiten stains on crowns or fillings, so if you have done a lot of dental work, you may not benefit from in-office whitening. Also, some stains cannot be removed. You will need to consult your dentist to see if you are a good candidate.
Teeth Whitening Process
The teeth whitening procedures may vary slightly from dentist to dentist, but they are pretty much the same. You should not feel uncomfortable during the process.
The dentist will first clean your teeth to prepare them for whitening. A cheek retractor will be used to expose your teeth. A special resin or liquid dam will be painted on the gums to prevent irritation. Next, a whitening agent – such as peroxide or carbamide – will be used on the teeth to make them whiter. While at-home whitening kits contain just 3-10% peroxide, in-office treatments may use as much as 43% peroxide. That is why the results are so effective.
After the bleach solution is applied, the dentist will use a special light to expedite the whitening process. The dentist will likely leave the bleach solution on your teeth for about 15-20 minutes. Then they will remove it and check to see how well the teeth have whitened. If more whitening is needed, they will reapply the bleach. This is because if the high-powered bleach is left on your teeth for too long, it can cause tooth sensitivity. Finally, the cheek retractors are removed, and the bleach is rinsed off.
Maintenance
After a whitening treatment, taking proper steps to care for your teeth is important. Your teeth will not stay white and bright forever, so you need to be proactive in the first 24 hours. If you don't, you may see your teeth start to become dull within a matter of months.
Your dentist will advise you to refrain from drinks that can stain your teeth, such as tea, coffee, wine, beer, and fruit juice. Certain foods, such as soy sauce, chocolate, and fruit, can stain your teeth and should also be avoided. A good rule of thumb is that if it stains a white T-shirt, it may stain your teeth. Some good food choices include rice, pasta, cauliflower, milk, eggs, white cheese, skinless chicken breast, coconut water, tofu, and clear alcoholic beverages.
You should also avoid smoking, as tobacco can stain teeth. Use white or clear toothpaste and mouthwash only. Avoid colored products.
You can keep your bleached teeth in tip-top shape by brushing and flossing daily. Your dentist will give you trays so you can touch up your teeth as needed.
3545 Chain Bridge Rd Ste 105