Your teeth are often referred to as “pearly whites” but unfortunately, they’re not always as white as you might like. This is the primary reason why so many people are unhappy with their smiles.
There are two types of tooth stains: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic stains are below the tooth enamel and are often due to antibiotic use, excessive exposure to fluoride, thinning enamel, and genetics. On the other hand, extrinsic stains are on the surface and usually due to environmental factors.
Prime Family Dentistry in Stone Ridge offers teeth whitening to brighten and whiten your teeth by removing stains. In this article, we’ll explain more about the process of tooth whitening and what you need to know before and after your tooth whitening procedures.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is the process of making natural teeth appear brighter and whiter. Several methods are used, including bleaching, sanding down stains, ultraviolet light therapy, and more. In addition, there are at-home treatment options as well as in-office treatment options. However, it is important to note that in-office treatments are stronger and last longer.
Some methods have side effects including tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.
Most dental insurance providers classify tooth whitening as a cosmetic procedure, which means it is not covered. Our friendly office staff will work with your provider to determine your coverage and explain our financing options for those who need help paying for their dental services.
Teeth Whitening vs. Bleaching
Teeth whitening |
Bleaching |
Removes surface stains only |
Penetrates past the enamel into the dentin |
Does not address discoloration due to medications or medical conditions |
Addresses discoloration due to medications and medical conditions |
Uses mild abrasives |
Uses hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide |
Can be done at-home or in-office |
Can be done at-home or in-office |
Teeth whitening
Removes surface stains only
Does not address discoloration due to medications or medical conditions
Uses mild abrasives
Can be done at-home or in-office
Bleaching
Penetrates past the enamel into the dentin
Addresses discoloration due to medications and medical conditions
Uses hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide
Can be done at-home or in-office
Things to Know Before Teeth Whitening
There are several things that you should be aware of before having your teeth whitened:
- Some methods only address surface stains, while others address deeper stains
- Clean teeth will respond better to whitening treatments, which means you should have a professional cleaning within a week or two prior to your whitening treatment
- Dental restorations such as dental crowns and dental fillings will not whiten
- Results from professional whitening can last up to a year with proper care and maintenance, which involves brushing/flossing twice daily and visiting the dentist every 6 months for an exam and cleaning
- Cost of whitening treatments vary depending on the method, the location of the clinic, and the experience/expertise of the dentist
Things to Know After Teeth Whitening
There are also a few things that you should know after teeth whitening:
- Proper care and maintenance can prolong your results- but you should also consider giving up, or reducing your intake, of
- Colored beverages such as sodas, teas, and wine
- Fizzy beverages
- Foods that may stain including red meat, berries, tomato-based foods, and more
- Using a whitening toothpaste can also prolong your results
- You can use at-home touch-up treatments between professional whitening sessions- but avoid using them too much, as it could cause the enamel to dry out
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?
On average, results from professional whitening treatments last about a year depending on your oral hygiene and lifestyle habits. If you are not practicing proper oral hygiene or if you engage in behaviors such as smoking or consuming foods/beverages that are known to stain teeth, your results may not last as long.
However, if you are willing to avoid things like smoking and consuming a lot of foods and beverages that stain, you may be able to make your results last longer.
Dr. Subha Yerabollu: The Best Dentist in Stone Ridge for Teeth Whitening
If you’re unhappy with the color of your teeth, schedule your teeth whitening consultation with Dr. Subha Yerabollu at Prime Family Dentistry in Stone Ridge. She strives to build relationships with her patients, making sure that they feel comfortable every time they enter the clinic.
Dr. Yerabollu graduated from New York University’s College of Dentistry in 2009 and has been practicing in the DC metro area since 2010. She regularly attends continuing education courses to stay on top of the latest advances in dentistry.
We are located at 24805 Pinebrook Road, Suite 316 in Stone Ridge. Our regular office hours are Monday and Friday from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Thursday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. We are available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM for emergencies only.
You can schedule your appointment by calling the office at (703) 214-9126 or by visiting our website. In addition to tooth whitening, we offer a variety of other general, cosmetic, and restorative dental services for the entire family. We utilize the latest in dental technology including intraoral cameras and panoramic and digital x-rays.
Teeth Whitening before and after- FAQs
Is teeth whitening safe?
Yes, teeth whitening is safe. However, some patients do experience side effects including tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.
