In-Office and Take-Home Teeth Whitening
If you are like most adults, you have noticed your teeth are starting to darken as you get older. Maybe it’s the result of coffee, wine, tobacco, poor dental hygiene, or just the simple aging process -- as we get older, the tooth enamel becomes more brittle and prone to absorbing pigments from what you eat. Fortunately, there is a solution in professional teeth whitening from the dentist in Arlington.
At South Arlington Dental Care, Dr. Prachi Shah is pleased to offer our patients in-office and at-home teeth whitening treatments. Both reveal professional-grade results, but which one is best for you? It depends on how fast you want to see your results. Keep reading to learn more about your options, then schedule an appointment for dazzling teeth whitening.
In-Office Whitening Reveals Results Quickly
If you would like to see your whitest teeth quickly, perhaps in preparation for a significant upcoming event, in-office whitening is a wonderful choice for you. It is completed in just one visit to South Arlington Dental Care. Dr. Shah or one of our knowledgeable hygienists will apply the whitening gel to your teeth, carefully avoiding your gums and all soft oral tissues. Then the bleaching gel gets to work busting through stains on the outer tooth enamel and just beneath it. In-office whitening can brighten teeth up to eight shades in just about an hour.
Due to the rapid whitening possible with an in-office treatment, it may not be the best option for people who are especially prone to teeth sensitivity. Dr. Shah can recommend a take-home whitening kit instead.
Take-Home Treatments Completed At Your Own Pace
A take-home whitening treatment reveals the same dazzling results as an in-office kit, just at a more gradual pace. It’s a good option for patients who may experience sensitivity with an in-office treatment, or for those who would just rather whiten slowly, from the comfort of their homes.
The take-home kit consists of customized trays and a high-powered bleaching gel. Fill the trays with a dot of the solution for each tooth and wear them for about half an hour each evening. Do not eat or drink anything right after the treatment, as your enamel will be more likely to absorb the colors from what it comes into contact with. You will start to notice results after your very first treatment, with full whitening usually completed after about two weeks. Do not use the treatment past the recommended treatment time to avoid damaging the tooth enamel.
Maintaining Your Results
Once you have completed your in-office or at-home teeth whitening treatment, you can enjoy your results for years by cutting back on the main offenders of stained teeth: coffee, dark sodas, tea, wine, and tobacco. Keep up with your good dental hygiene habits, brushing for two minutes, twice a day, flossing regularly, and visiting your dentist every six months. If you do start to notice your results starting to fade, simply perform one or two touch-up treatments to renew your wonderfully white results.
Request an Appointment Today!
Are you ready for a little smile rejuvenation? Professional teeth whitening is a great way to improve the appearance of your smile without investing serious time or money in a big cosmetic treatment. Contact your cosmetic dentist in Arlington to get started with professional teeth whitening today.