Teeth Whitening in Redmond

Teeth whitening lightens the natural color of your teeth. It works well for many people, but not for every kind of discoloration, and it doesn’t change the color of dental work. Here is what causes teeth to darken, how whitening works, and what to know before you start.

Why Teeth Change Color

Tooth stains fall into two main groups, and the type of stain affects how well whitening works.

• Extrinsic (surface) stains sit on or in the outer layer of the tooth, the enamel. They often come from coffee, tea, red wine, dark sodas, some foods and tobacco. Some surface stains come off with a professional cleaning and polish. Whitening usually works well on the yellow and brown tones these stains leave.
• Intrinsic stains are inside the tooth. Causes include aging, as enamel gets thinner and the yellower layer beneath it (dentin) shows through; an injury to a tooth; some medications taken while teeth were forming in childhood; too much fluoride during childhood; and teeth that have had a root canal. Intrinsic stains, especially gray ones, may respond more slowly to whitening or not as much.

When whitening isn’t the best fit, other options such as bonding, veneers or crowns can change how a tooth looks. See restorative dentistry for more about these treatments.

How Whitening Works

Whitening products use a peroxide gel, usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The peroxide passes into the enamel and dentin and breaks apart the molecules that cause stains, so the tooth looks lighter. Whitening doesn’t remove any tooth structure. The amount of change depends on the strength of the gel, how long it stays on the teeth, and the type of stain you have.

Start With an Exam

Before whitening, your dentist examines your teeth and gums. This is important for a few reasons:

• Cavities, gum disease, cracks or exposed roots should be treated first, because whitening gel can irritate these areas.
• Your dentist can find out what is causing the discoloration and whether whitening is likely to help.
• A single tooth that has turned darker than the others should be checked, because it can be a sign of a problem inside the tooth.
• A cleaning beforehand removes plaque and surface stains so the gel can reach the tooth evenly.

Whitening Options

There are two main types of professional whitening, and we’ll discuss which options fit your teeth and goals.

In-Office Whitening

In-office whitening is done in the dental chair. Your gums and lips are protected, and a whitening gel is applied to the front surfaces of your teeth. Because the visit is supervised by a dental professional, a stronger gel can be used than in products sold in stores, so teeth often lighten in a single visit.

Custom Take-Home Trays

With take-home whitening, you wear thin trays that are custom-made to fit your teeth, often from a digital scan, with a whitening gel inside. You wear them at home for the amount of time your dentist recommends, usually over several days or weeks. Custom trays hold the gel close to your teeth and help keep it off your gums, and the trays can be used again later for touch-ups.

Store-bought whitening strips and whitening toothpastes are also available. Whitening toothpastes mostly remove surface stains rather than changing the color inside the tooth. If you’re thinking about any whitening product, ask your dentist whether it’s a good choice for you.

Fillings, Crowns and Veneers Don’t Whiten

Whitening only works on natural tooth structure. Tooth-colored fillings, crowns, veneers and bonding keep their original color, so after whitening they may look darker than the teeth around them. If you have dental work on your front teeth, your dentist will help you plan the order of treatment. Often, the natural teeth are whitened first, and any visible fillings or crowns are replaced afterward to match the new shade.

A Note on Sensitivity

Some people notice that their teeth feel sensitive, especially to cold, during whitening or shortly after. This is usually temporary. Let your dentist know if it happens; using a toothpaste for sensitive teeth or changing how often you whiten may help.

Keeping Your Results

Whitening results fade slowly over time, especially if you often drink coffee, tea or red wine. Rinsing with water after dark drinks, brushing twice a day, keeping up with regular cleanings, and avoiding tobacco can help your smile stay brighter longer. Your dentist can tell you when a touch-up might make sense.

If you’re curious whether whitening is right for you, ask at your next visit to our Redmond office.