Teeth Whitening Specialist

Why aren’t my teeth whiter?

As you get older, your teeth naturally lose their luster. Over time, the hard, outer layer (enamel) wears down, which exposes more of the softer inner layer (dentin). Your dentin naturally yellows as you age.

Some of the other factors that can lead to a dull or discolored smile include:

• Bad oral hygiene
• Eating and drinking food and beverages with dark pigments, like berries and coffee
• Using tobacco products

Medications can play a role, as well. Certain antihistamines and antipsychotics are known to cause staining, and early exposure to tetracycline antibiotics can permanently change the color of your teeth.

How can I whiten my teeth?

Dr. Nguyen offers a couple of different professional teeth-whitening options at Ridge Commons Family Dentistry:

In-office whitening

In-office whitening is the fastest way to get a radiant smile. After using special tools and gels to protect your gums, lips, and cheeks, Dr. Nguyen applies a professional-strength bleaching gel to your teeth that break up the pigmentation that causes staining.

In some cases, she also shines a special light on your teeth that enable the whitening solution to penetrate your enamel and break up deeper stains. With in-office whitening, Dr. Nguyen can brighten your smile by up to eight shades in a single, hour-long office visit.

Take-home whitening

At-home whitening allows you to whiten your teeth from the comfort of your home and according to the convenience of your schedule. Dr. Nguyen fabricates a set of whitening trays from an impression of your mouth that fits snugly and securely over your smile. You fill these trays with a professional-strength whitening solution and wear them for a prescribed amount of time each day. Your teeth will get noticeably brighter within a matter of weeks!

Why should I see a dentist for teeth whitening?

Even though over-the-counter whitening strips and trays have become popular in recent years, they’re not nearly as effective as what you can get with professional treatment, and they can even be damaging to your oral health.

Generic strips and trays do not fit the curves and contours of your unique smile, so the bleaching solution frequently leaks out and irritates your gums. When it does manage to stay in contact with your teeth, it actually doesn’t do as good of a job at whitening them, since consumer-grade bleaching gels are only a fraction of the strength of what you get at Ridge Commons Family Dentistry.

For a truly stunning smile, you need professional teeth whitening. Book yours today by calling Ridge Commons Family Dentistry or schedule a visit online.