No matter how careful you are with your oral hygiene, teeth don’t stay pearly white forever. Certain foods, drinks, and lifestyle habits can cause teeth to become yellowed or stained over time. Fortunately, it’s easier than ever to achieve a whiter smile with teeth whitening!
There are so many over-the-counter teeth whitening options, but none of them are as effective as professional teeth whitening. Here’s why Dr. Ritzema, our Grand Rapids teeth whitening dentist, recommends in-office teeth whitening to brighten your smile.
Benefits of In-Office Teeth Whitening
Results in One Appointment
Unlike teeth whitening at home, Dr. Ritzema will be able to give you a noticeably whiter smile in under an hour. Teeth whitening is a quick procedure that’s easy to slip into a busy schedule. We recommend scheduling a consultation with our dentist to determine if teeth whiteningis right for your smile.
Depending on the extent of tooth discoloration, Dr. Ritzema may recommend porcelain veneers or other cosmetic dentistry options. For example, professional teeth whitening may not be the best choice for discoloration caused by dental fluorosis (mottled teeth caused by excessive fluoride intake). Dental veneers, however, would cover the front of your teeth so you can smile and talk with confidence.
If you have severe tooth discoloration, Dr. Ritzema will break up your appointment into multiple short sessions. After applying whitening gel to your teeth, he will shine a special lamp to accelerate teeth bleaching. The light breaks down the hydrogen peroxide in the gel to lift tooth stains and whiten teeth.
To help you pass the time during your appointment, we recommend bringing your phone or another device that lets you listen to music. Once the procedure is over, we’ll give you instructions on how you can maintain your white smile from home.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
Depending on the extent of tooth discoloration, Dr. Ritzema may be able to give you supplies so you can try teeth whitening at home. If this is the case, we will take impressions of your teeth to create a custom whitening tray. Whitening teeth at home means you’ll be able to whiten your teeth when it’s most convenient for you.
Works on Sensitive Teeth
Just because you have sensitive teeth, doesn’t mean you can’t try teeth whitening. The whitening gel and varnish we use is specially formulated as to not irritate teeth and gums. While some of our patients experience “zingers” or brief flashes of pain during treatment, many are willing to experience temporary discomfort if it means having whiter teeth. Also, keep in mind that different people have different levels of pain tolerance. One person’s negative experience doesn’t necessarily predict how you’ll react to teeth whitening.
If you wish to stop treatment at any time, let Dr. Ritzema know. If you have sensitive teeth, we are willing to work at a pace that’s comfortable to you. That way, you can feel in control of your treatment.
Our Grand Rapids, MI teeth whitening dentist wants you to feel confident with your smile. If you’re concerned about yellow teeth, make an appointment with Complete Health Dentistry by calling (616) 458-7267.
