Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments in our Cockeysville, MD dental office. With teeth whitening, you can quickly and inexpensively transform your smile’s appearance. Hunt Valley area cosmetic dentists Dr. Ashley Izadi and Dr. Roham Rafat offer a range of teeth whitening options to meet your needs, schedule, and budget.
If you are embarrassed by your smile because your teeth are yellow or discolored, a whitening treatment can help. Our treatments can improve the appearance of your teeth and help you smile confidently. We understand that your smile can make or break a good first impression. We strive to bring you only the most effective teeth-whitening methods.
Our at-home and in-office teeth whitening treatments can erase years of stubborn stains off your teeth. This can help you look more attractive and feel more confident.
Teeth Whitening in Hunt Valley, MD
Valley Dental Health offers two types of teeth whitening treatment plans. You can whiten your teeth privately from the comfort of your home, or a dentist can whiten your teeth in our dental office. Our dental office can provide an at-home whitening kit if you choose to whiten your teeth at home.
While our at-home kits are effective, it may take a few weeks to see the final results. If you choose to have your teeth whitened in our office, our in-office teeth whitening treatment can whiten your teeth in as little as an hour. No matter your chosen method, the result will be a brighter, whiter smile you will proudly show.
In-office Teeth Whitening
In-office teeth whitening is best for patients who want instant and dramatic results. Made popular by brands like Zoom, in-office teeth whitening can be completed in as little as an hour. It can be a stand-alone treatment or use it to boost at-home teeth whitening.
We use Venus MAX in-office teeth whitening at our Hunt Valley area dental office. Venus White Max has a unique formula to decrease sensitivity associated with teeth bleaching. This makes it more comfortable compared to other in-office teeth whitening treatments.
At-home Teeth Whitening
Patients love the convenience that comes with professional at-home teeth whitening kits. Dr. Izadi or Dr. Rafat will custom-make a whitening tray you use during the treatment. It will distribute the whitening gel evenly over the teeth without causing damage to the gums or tooth enamel.
Depending on your goals, your dentist will recommend you wear the whitening trays for a period that varies from daily use for several weeks to less frequent use over a longer period.
What Causes Tooth Discoloration?
Tooth discoloration is a problem that will plague almost anyone at some point. As we age, the bright white outer layer on our teeth thins with time. This exposes the off-white dentin layer underneath. With professional teeth whitening, we can take years off the smile just by brightening your teeth.
Poor oral hygiene leads to plaque buildup on your teeth. Not only does this sticky film promote tooth decay, but it also discolors the teeth. Removing any discoloration from your smile can be hard if it hardens into plaque. Brushing and flossing help to eliminate debris and other buildup that can cause your teeth to discolor.
Lifestyle habits play a big part in discoloration. If you regularly smoke or use other tobacco products, their tar can turn your teeth yellow or brown. Certain foods and drinks stain the teeth as well. If you regularly drink coffee, tea, dark soda, or wine, they’re all big culprits that lead to discoloration. Foods high in acid wear down the enamel faster, leading to discoloration. It’s important to brush your teeth or at least rinse your mouth with water after you consume these things.
Certain medications can stain the teeth if your child takes them while developing. Some can compromise the formation of the teeth, leading them to develop discoloration. Too much fluoride during childhood tooth development can cause staining as well. Trauma can disrupt blood flow to a tooth, turning it gray.
Other Whitening Solutions
Certain types of staining don’t respond to traditional whitening treatment. This includes things like trauma and discoloration from medications. In these instances, we have to turn to another solution. Tooth bonding and porcelain veneers can both cover the entire discolored tooth. We can color-match these solutions to the shade of white you desire so that it blends in with the rest of your smile.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
How much does teeth whitening cost?
The cost of teeth whitening depends on the type of treatment you select. In general, at-home teeth whitening costs less than in-office treatment.
How long does teeth whitening last?
Teeth whitening results can be long-lasting with proper care of your teeth. After treatment, avoiding dark foods and beverages (such as coffee, tea, and soda) will prevent teeth from staining or darkening. Teeth may require periodic touch-ups to maintain their initial bright white appearance.
Are there any teeth whitening side effects?
There are minimal teeth whitening side effects. Most frequently, patients report mild to moderate tooth sensitivity that is transient and usually resolves in one to three days after treatment.
Should I drink coffee through a straw after teeth whitening?
After teeth whitening, we recommend that if you drink coffee, you do so through a straw. Any deeply colored liquids have the potential to stain your teeth. Drinking these through a straw minimizes the time staining bacteria comes in contact with your teeth, reducing your risk of staining.
How long after teeth whitening can I brush my teeth?
You may brush your teeth after a teeth whitening treatment. However, for the first 48 hours after treatment, we suggest you avoid using colored toothpaste and mouthwash.
Any colored liquid or substance that comes in contact with your teeth during this time has the potential to stain. After teeth whitening treatment, your teeth become more porous, which means they are more prone to absorbing the colors of whatever contacts them.
Can you eat after teeth whitening?
You are more than welcome to eat after teeth whitening treatment. However, we recommend avoiding certain foods for the first 48 hours post-treatment. These include foods and drinks that are deeply colored, such as ketchup, wine, coffee, etc.
Why are my teeth yellow when I brush them every day?
Even when you practice good oral hygiene, your diet and habits may impact the color of your teeth. Certain foods, drinks, and even fluorides can cause staining.
Soda, berries, coffee, and wine are examples of foods and drinks that can cause staining. It is also important to know that medicines containing tetracycline are known to cause teeth yellowing. Smoking is also known to cause teeth yellowing.
Can some teeth not be whitened?
You may not be a good candidate for teeth whitening if you have multiple dental restorations in your mouth. Certain restorations, including dental bonding, crowns, and veneers, do not respond to whitening treatment.
For more information about the effective at-home and in-office teeth whitening methods available at Valley Dental Health, contact our office today.
