Over the years, your teeth might become discolored or darker due to various reasons, from consuming dark-pigmented foods/drinks often to simply natural aging. While this is normal, it doesn’t mean you have to settle for a smile that you aren’t proud to show off. That’s why our team at Healthy Smiles Dental Care of Muskegon is proud to offer both in-office and at-home Zoom! teeth whitening treatment in Muskegon. We can use professional-grade bleaching agents to transform your pearly whites safely and effectively so you can feel much more confident with the way you look. Keep reading to learn more about this treatment or give us a call to schedule your consultation!
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
If you’re struggling with stains in your smile or you’re unhappy with the color of your teeth, then you might be a good candidate for professional teeth whitening. To know for certain if you’re eligible for the treatment, our team will need to evaluate your oral health and determine if this service is a viable option for you. Patients who have underlying complications, such as tooth decay and gum disease, will need to undergo preliminary procedures to address these before moving forward. Fortunately, we can provide the treatment you need to prepare your smile.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
While evaluating your oral health during your consultation, our team will also review the details of both our in-office and at-home whitening treatment options so that you know what to expect. Both are highly effective, but they have some unique differences you’ll want to consider before moving forward.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
For those who prefer to improve their smiles in the comfort of their homes, you might be eligible to use our take-home whitening kits to help you do this. This process can take around a couple of weeks to complete and it involves wearing personalized trays with professional-grade bleaching gel that will gradually create a more radiant grin. Afterward, you should be able to show off your dazzling results for several months to a couple of years with proper care.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
If you’re looking for a faster method for brightening your smile, or you have a special event coming up soon, our team offers in-office teeth whitening to match your aesthetic needs. We’ll simply choose the specific shade you’re looking for and then apply a bleaching gel to your grin that will effectively blast away discoloration. After a couple of hours, you’ll be free to walk out of our office with your newly brightened smile.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Once you’ve undergone teeth whitening treatment, you’ll want to take certain steps to preserve your results for the long run. Some of the most common things to maintain the color of your pearly whites include:
- Minimizing how often you consume dark-colored foods/drinks
- Avoiding bad oral habits like biting fingernails and smoking/chewing tobacco
- Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash every day
- Visiting your dentist for dental checkups and cleanings every six months
- Scheduling regular touchups to preserve your whitening results
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
We never want you to feel uncomfortable or worried about your care here. Teeth whitening deals
with just the surface layer of your teeth: the enamel. It’s also completely safe when
supervised and directed by a qualified dentist like the ones we have. As a result, this
treatment shouldn’t hurt. In few cases, in-office whitening patients may experience a tiny
bit of sensitivity afterward, but if this happens to you, we can provide fluoride treatment to
reduce the sensation.
What’s the Difference Between Store-Bought and Professional Teeth
Whitening?
Ultimately, commercial and professional whitening treatments use the same active ingredient.
Peroxide bleaches the enamel, but professional-grade whitening contains a much higher
concentration, which means you walk away with much better results. Although store-bought
whitening toothpastes, strips, and trays can give you around three shades of improvement,
professional treatment typically ends with your teeth looking ten shades brighter!
Can Teeth Whitening Fix All Discoloration?
Unfortunately, teeth whitening does not address all types of discoloration. Sometimes, teeth can
appear gray because of certain medications you’re taking. While we can’t use
whitening treatment to improve the color, we offer other cosmetic services like all-ceramic
crowns or dental
bonding that can cover stubborn stains with materials that look very realistic and
natural. At your consultation, we will ask you about your medical history to find out whether
teeth whitening or another option would be best to give you the results you want.
If I Have an Event Coming Up, When Should I Get My Teeth Whitened?
Weddings, class reunions, and other special events don’t wait if you haven’t whitened
your teeth beforehand. We always recommend receiving treatment at least a couple of weeks ahead
of events. That way, you have plenty of time—just in case—to prepare and get excited
to show off your beautifully brilliant smile! Make sure you budget for the time to schedule and
carry out treatment well in advance.
Should I Stop Take-Home Whitening If I Start to See Results?
Before the prescribed couple of weeks is up, you may begin to see improvement in the color of your teeth. However, keep going! It’s not done yet, and it will get even better. Follow our instructions closely, and you can see your teeth achieve greater results. If you run into any trouble or issues during your at-home treatment, get in touch with us as soon as possible so you don’t lose progress.
