Teeth Whitening – New Bedford, MA
Brighten Your Grin in Record Time
Has a lifelong love of tea or coffee discolored your pearly whites? Has a tobacco habit rendered your smile more stained than you’d like? If so, you might benefit from a professional teeth whitening treatment here at Clear Coast Dental. We offer both in-office treatments and take-home kits so that you can brighten your grin in record time. If your grin is looking less than stellar, contact us to learn whether teeth whitening is right for you.
Why Choose Clear Coast Dental for Teeth Whitening?
- In-Office and Take-Home Kits Available
- Treatment Plans 100% Personalized for Every Patient
- Smiles Guaranteed to Be 6-8 Shades Whiter
How Teeth Become Discolored
There are two types of teeth stains: extrinsic and intrinsic.
Extrinsic stains occur on the surface of the tooth. They are typically caused by factors such as consuming darkly pigmented foods and drink, tobacco use, or poor oral hygiene. Fortunately, extrinsic stains normally respond well to regular dental cleanings and whitening toothpaste.
In-Office Whitening
If you want a brighter smile yesterday, then in-office whitening is the right treatment for you. More often than not, it can be completed in one appointment that takes an hour or less.
Take-Home Whitening
If you would prefer to achieve more gradual results from the comfort of your own home, then take-home whitening is the treatment for you. We’ll take impressions of your mouth to design your custom trays that will fit snugly over your teeth. You’ll fill these trays with our powerful whitening solution and wear them for a prescribed amount of time each day, usually around half an hour. While you’re wearing the trays, you can do pretty much everything you want, except eating. You could surf the web or binge-watch your favorite show. You should see dazzling results after just a couple of weeks.
Does Teeth Whitening Work for Everyone?
For the most part, teeth whitening should work for the majority of patients. However, because it’s a cosmetic treatment, we’ll have to make sure that you are in adequate oral health and that your mouth is free of decay beforehand. Most tooth stains, whether intrinsic or extrinsic, are able to be removed through professional teeth bleaching. It should be noted, though, that teeth whitening will not work on restorations like porcelain veneers or dental crowns.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Many patients suffer from dental anxiety and are afraid of painful procedures, especially if they have a low tolerance. Rest assured; teeth whitening at Clear Coast Dental isn’t painful. However, you may experience some slight sensitivity due to the heat of the UV light used to activate the whitening chemicals.
Try to avoid food and drinks that are extremely hot or cold for the first couple of days as they can trigger sensitivity pains. If your discomfort persists, talk to your dentist. They can provide you with advice on alleviating it.
What’s the Difference Between Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening?
While there may not appear to be any difference between over-the-counter and professional teeth whitening treatments, they are night and day in quality. Generic strips, gels, and kits you buy at the grocery store or pharmacy use diluted whitening agents and rely on a one-size-fits-all approach to sell as many as possible.
In contrast, professional teeth whitening trays are custom fitted for each patient and use high-concentration chemicals like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. You also gain the benefit of direct professional supervision, ensuring that your treatment is safe, effective, and brings you closer to your dream smile.
How Can I Make My Teeth Whitening Results Last?
With proper care and maintenance, your whitening treatment can last for months, or even years! The duration of your results relies entirely on how well you take care of your enhanced pearly whites. Here are a few simple tips to make the most of your treatment:
- Establish a solid oral care routine and don’t break it. Brushing and flossing is the easiest way to remove surface stains and prevent them from worsening.
- Attend regular dental appointments for cleanings and touch-ups when necessary. This will keep your teeth squeaky clean and bright.
- Limit food and drink with dark pigments and vibrant food dyes. Coffee, wine, tea, and processed confections are the worst offenders.
- If you smoke, it’s best to quit altogether to preserve your results and your oral health.
Does Teeth Whitening Damage Enamel?
Not at all. Some patients may experience some sensitivity in their teeth after the treatment, but this is not because of enamel damage. However, the treatment can worsen the effects of gum disease and tooth decay if it’s present when the chemicals are activated. This is why your dentist will always perform a thorough oral exam before beginning the procedure.
If you’re having your whitening treatments performed by our professionals, you shouldn’t have any worries. However, overuse of DIY or generic products can certainly damage your teeth. Toothpastes with abrasives like activated charcoal, for example, have been known to intensify enamel wear. If you’re thinking of brightening your smile, give us a call before you dive in. Our cosmetic dental experts can offer advice and guidance.
