HOW DOES TEETH WHITENING WORK?
When you use whitening toothpaste or drugstore whitening trays, they can only remove extrinsic stains on the surfaces of your teeth. This is because the active ingredient in these whitening products is hydrogen peroxide – but it’s most effective at high concentrations.
Drugstore whitening trays contain much lower concentrations of peroxide and cannot penetrate deep into the enamel. Dental-grade teeth whitening increases the porosity of your teeth to penetrate through the enamel.
Through oxidation, the whitening agent breaks down staining molecules to remove intrinsic tooth stains. Contact us at Mary Qian Dental Group today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Qian.
Did you know...
Unlike your natural teeth,
dental implants can't get cavities.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR WHITENING CONSULTATION IN PALO ALTO
CONSULTATION
You will come in for a consultation with Dr. Quian so we can assess the severity of your tooth discoloration and formulate a treatment plan for you.
IMPRESSIONS
We will take impressions of your teeth and send them to a dental lab that will create custom-fit whitening trays for you to wear.
PICK-UP ALIGNERS
It may take a few weeks for your trays to be ready. Once we get them, we’ll ask you to pick them up so you can start your treatment.
TREATMENT
When you receive your whitening trays, you will also receive a whitening gel to apply to the trays and written instructions on how to use them.
TEETH WHITENING OPTIONS IN PALO ALTO
TAKE-HOME TEETH WHITENING
Take-home whitening is a whitening treatment that can be carried out completely at home. We only require that you come in for a quick appointment to take impressions of your teeth so we can create a custom-made whitening tray that’s molded to the exact fit of your mouth.
This prevents whitening gel from coming into contact with your gums. Once your trays are ready, you can begin your treatment without ever leaving your house. All you have to do is apply the whitening gel to your trays and place them over your teeth as instructed.
The written instructions will explain how long to wear the trays on how many days you should wear them. This treatment typically takes about 2 weeks of regular use to achieve drastic results.
Did you know...
Unlike your natural teeth,
dental implants can't get cavities.
HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT TEETH WHITENING? FIND ANSWERS HERE.
IS TEETH WHITENING SAFE?
Yes, teeth whitening is perfectly safe as long as it’s performed under the guidance of a professional and you follow instructions. When you purchase whitening products that are not ADA-approved, wear them for longer than recommended, or use them too often, this can cause some unwanted side effects and potential damage to your teeth.
With our take-home whitening system, the only side effect you can expect is some potential tooth-sensitivity which is typically after whitening your teeth because of demineralization of your enamel.
This exposes the dentinal tubules which are connected to your tooth’s nerves, resulting in hypersensitivity. This will subside within a few days through natural remineralization and you can also use desensitizing gel.
HOW LONG DOES TEETH WHITENING LAST?
Teeth whitening can last anywhere from 6 months to 3 years depending on your lifestyle and oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss between all of your teeth once a day to remove surface stains.
Regular dental cleanings every 6 months can also remove surface stains and plaque buildup which will leave you with whiter-looking teeth. Generally, you will need to avoid smoking and consuming staining foods and drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine to ensure your teeth stay as white as possible.
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Get ready for 5-star Experience
Dr. Qian is responsive, precise, and goes the extra mile to keep patients comfortable. I’ve had lots of dental work, and as a new patient in the past year, she guided me through the treatment of 2 complicated toothaches. On the lighter side, I was also very pleased with my teeth whitening procedure. Her staff is warm, helpful and professional.
Barb Mitchell