Whitening

What is the Safest Way to Whiten Teeth?

The safest way to whiten your teeth is to come into the dental office and have it done in a professional setting. This way, if anything comes up, we're here to take care of it. Any unforeseen circumstances, we're right there to make sure it doesn't become a bigger issue.

Are There Side Effects to Whitening Teeth?

Yes, the biggest one is sensitivity. That is the number one side effect. If you already have sensitive teeth, whitening may not be a good idea for you. It doesn't affect everybody, but sensitivity is definitely the biggest side effect.

How is Professional Teeth Whitening Done?

Professional teeth whitening is done right here in the office. We first protect the gums by applying a layer of protective material to prevent bleach from reaching the gums. Then, you sit under a cool blue light for anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. You walk out with a brand new dazzling smile that same day.

Why is Teeth Whitening Best Done at the Dentist's Office?

Teeth whitening is best done at the dentist's office for multiple reasons. First, we take the time to protect the gums to ensure they don't get bleached. Second, if you experience sensitivity, we're here to manage it, as sensitivity is a common side effect. We're here to help you manage any issues that may arise.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Teeth Whitening?

The biggest pro is that you walk out with nice, white teeth. However, the cons are that only natural teeth whiten. Dental materials, like fillings, bondings, and crowns, do not whiten. So, if you have existing dental work, there might be a color discrepancy, and you might need adjustments to match the new shade.

How Can I Extend the Results?

To extend the results of your teeth whitening treatment, you need to watch what you consume. Avoid items like black coffee, black tea, red wine, and red meats, which can stain your teeth. Limit these foods or use strategies like diluting coffee with milk or drinking through a straw to minimize staining.

Schedule a Teeth Whitening Appointment

In order to schedule a teeth whitening appointment, all you have to do is call our office. We're here to help answer any additional questions you may have. If you're ready to take action, give our office a call at (201) 845-5533.

At Paramus Dental Arts, we provide professional teeth whitening services that can keep your smile bright and beautiful. If you have never had your teeth whitened, we invite you to call (201) 845-5533 and schedule an appointment with our Paramus dentist office. In just one teeth bleaching visit your teeth can become up to eight shades whiter. Given how easy it is to whiten your teeth, we are asked a lot of questions about it, especially by patients that are considering an at-home whitening procedure. At our dental office, we always recommend that you schedule a professional whitening.

Professional bleaching produces better results

The ultimate goal of whitening your teeth is to have a brilliantly white and beautiful smile. With that in mind, make sure that you are using a whitening solution that is powerful enough to do the trick. Teeth bleaching works when you apply a whitening solution that contains some type of peroxide. The solution we use in our dental office is significantly stronger than what is sold in the stores. Simultaneously, it will penetrate below the surface of your enamel to remove deeper stains. Much of what you buy in the store will only remove surface stains and leave your teeth looking a lighter version of yellow. If you live in the Paramus area, you can have whiter teeth, faster, by scheduling the teeth whitening appointment at our dental office.

Should I whiten my teeth at home?

When comparing the home vs. dentist whitening solutions, consider what you are trying to accomplish. If your teeth are white but are starting to turn slightly yellow, you may see some positive results with a simple store bought solution. However, if your teeth have any stains, it is far better to skip this step and head straight to our office for a professional teeth whitening. If you do try something at home, there are a few things you should be aware of.

How long the solution remains on your teeth is important. When it comes to teeth bleaching, the whitening solution needs to be on your teeth long enough to work. This is why something like a whitening pen or whitening toothpaste can't possibly make much of a difference. The solution is washed off almost immediately. Simultaneously, when you buy whitening strips in the store, they tend to slip out of place and also lose their effectiveness.

The solution needs to get below the surface. Any time you look at whitening products, look for ones that say they penetrate below the enamel. When you schedule a professional bleaching, this will happen every time. When you buy something at the store, however, it is rare. Without penetrating below the enamel, you will never truly remove all of the stains.

If you would prefer to whiten your teeth at home, you can still have a professional teeth whitening. You can have whitening trays created at the dentist and wear them at home while using professional whitening solution. This will deliver impressive results and be more comfortable than any trays that you can buy in the store. Since store-bought whitening trays are made to fit everyone, they are typically loose, and the solution will leak out of them and into the back of your throat. This is entirely uncomfortable and completely avoidable when you use trays created by a dentist. If you live in Paramus or the surrounding area, we invite you to visit our dental office to see how easy professional whitening is and how much more effective it can be than a store-bought solution.

What you should know about natural teeth bleaching solutions.

Many people make the mistake of thinking that if something is natural, it must be good for them. This is simply not the case. Natural teeth whitening can actually damage your teeth through the process of erosion. Most natural remedies use acid to remove the stains or yellowing. For example, using lemons or limes. The problem is that anything high in acid content can permanently damage the enamel on your teeth so while they may look whiter, they may also become more sensitive.

Warning!

Do not try teeth bleaching at home without reading this warning. It is possible for you to permanently damage your teeth when whitening them at home. Your teeth have a hard layer of enamel on the surface. They arrive this way, and once your enamel is gone, you cannot replace it. Underneath your enamel is porous dentin that contains your nerve endings. If the enamel wears away, the dentin will be exposed, and your teeth will become sensitive. Eating and drinking with sensitive teeth can be incredibly uncomfortable and the only way to permanently fix your teeth is to have a cosmetic procedure like bonding or having dental veneers or crowns placed on your teeth. The biggest problem that people can have, when whitening their teeth, is overexposure to the whitening solution. If you place teeth bleaching solution onto your teeth for too long or you whiten your teeth too many times in a short period, you can cause your enamel to erode – permanently damaging your teeth. This is why scheduling a professional teeth whitening is so important. As Paramus Dental Arts, we will make sure that your teeth are whitened correctly by using the right amount of solution and removing it before reaching the point of irritation. If you are looking to save money, at-home whitening may seem alluring. However, the risk that you run of damaging your teeth could create much higher expenses down the road. If you live in the Paramus area, schedule a professional bleaching by calling (201) 845-5533 so that you can receive the results that you want without the risk.

How does teeth whitening at the dentist work?

At Paramus Dental Arts, we can provide you with an in-office teeth whitening using professional-grade whitening solution. This is an important distinction to make because the whitening kits that are sold in the store contain solution that is not nearly as strong and will not produce the same level of results. Patients may also visit our office after trying a kit at home and wish they had come here first. The reason for the difference is that a store-bought solution will typically only remove the surface stains from the teeth. This can help to eliminate some of the stains caused by recent food or beverage consumption. It will not remove the deep staining and discoloration that is coming from within the tooth, but our solution will.

Why teeth whitening at the dentist produces better results.

It all comes down to oxidization. When we place whitening solution on your teeth it will not stop at the enamel, but penetrate it. Once inside of your tooth, our solution will work to start the process of oxidization so that the molecules inside of your teeth will reflect less light. By appearing colorless, your teeth will look like a brilliant shade of white.

How long does it take?

When you visit our Paramus dental office for teeth whitening, we will prepare your teeth and protect your lips, gum tissue and cheeks. We will then apply the whitening solution and give it time to be activated. Typically, it only takes an hour from the time you sit in the dental chair to when you are able to leave. The solution will begin to take effect during this time and your teeth will show an immediate improvement.

Can anyone have their teeth whitened?

At Paramus Dental Arts, we recommend whitening procedures for adults and some older teens. This is not an appropriate procedure for children and, fortunately, they very rarely need it. Before determining if someone is a good candidate for teeth whitening, we conduct a thorough examination. This is to determine if there are any signs of cavities, infection or gum disease. These oral health problems require treatment prior to conducting any cosmetic dentistry procedures. This is to ensure that we are not putting whitening solution on a tooth that is decaying or exposed. Naturally, this could cause you discomfort and only exasperate the situation. Fortunately, if we do find any oral health problems, we can correct them quickly and schedule you for a teeth whitening treatment right away.

How frequently can I schedule a teeth whitening at the dentist?

When you visit our dental office, we will examine your teeth, look for signs of erosion and discuss your overall treatment plan. In most cases, you can have your teeth whitened every six to twelve months. This is true if the teeth are healthy. If they are not healthy, sensitive, or eroding, we may recommend that you only have your teeth whitened once per year.

The process

How can I keep my teeth white after a treatment?

At Paramus Dental Arts we tell patients that there are plenty of ways to extend the time periods between whitening treatments. These include drinking plenty of water and doing so every time that you eat or have another beverage like coffee. You should also brush your teeth after every meal or after having something that is particularly staining. It is important to avoid any food or drinks that have food coloring in them, are acidic, full of tannins, etc. Things like coffee, red wine, and soy sauce can be particularly bad for your teeth, so consume them in moderation only.

Does whitening toothpaste really work?

As a dentist, we recommend that you use a whitening toothpaste in between treatments. This paste can help to keep surface stains at bay so that your teeth will remain whiter for a longer period of time. It does an excellent job when it comes to maintenance. It does not, however, do a good job of whitening teeth the first go round. In this case, it may make your teeth appear brighter but you will not experience stain removal or see your teeth lighten by more than a shade or two. This is because the paste only works on the surface..

Is teeth whitening at the dentist expensive?

No, not at all. This is an incredibly affordable treatment solution and typically, the most affordable way to improve the appearance of the teeth and your smile. As a dental office, we recommend this solution for anyone considering a smile makeover or more intensive cosmetic dentistry procedures like dental veneers and dental crowns. Very often, a dental whitening treatment can make such a positive impact that people no longer need these more invasive solutions. Since it is fast and affordable, there is no reason not to try it.

Does it matter when I whiten my teeth?

Absolutely. First, your teeth and gums should be in good oral health. Second, if you are having a cosmetic procedure like dental veneers placed on your front teeth or a tooth capped or replaced, you should have your teeth whitened first. For the most part, dental restorations are both stain and bleach resistant. They are created to match your surrounding teeth so if you wait to have your teeth whitened until after a restoration has been placed, your restoration could look more yellow than your teeth do after the whitening treatment. When it comes to teeth whitening, timing is critical for ensuring a beautiful smile.

Definition of Cosmetic Dentistry Terminology

Helpful Related Links

• American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Terms. 2015
• American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2015
• WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2015