Teeth Whitening Lehigh Valley
Helping You Brighten and Beautify Your Smile
Between the natural aging process and repeated exposure to dark-colored foods and beverages, your smile could end up losing some of its brightness as time passes. Fortunately, Dr. Salivonchik and the rest of our team offer professional teeth whitening kits that can leave you with teeth that are up to 10 shades whiter. If you’re bothered by a dull smile, reach out to our office today to see if teeth whitening may be a good option for you.
Why Choose S. John Salivonchik DMD, PC for Teeth Whitening?
- Personalized Take-Home Teeth Whitening Kits
- Dentist with Over Two Decades of Experience
- Caring, Honest, and Consistent Dental Team
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
To be considered a good candidate for teeth whitening, you need to have an overall healthy mouth. Cavities, gum disease, and other oral health complications must be treated before you can start making cosmetic improvements to your smile. On top of that, the underlying cause of your discoloration needs to be taken into consideration. We can help you figure out whether teeth whitening is right for you if you schedule a consultation with our team.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
You’re likely already aware of the many whitening products that are available in stores. While said products typically carry a lower cost, they can take months to achieve the results you want (if at all), and they may prove less than effective for certain types of discoloration. If you want a more reliable treatment that can significantly brighten your smile in a relatively short amount of time, we recommend asking our team about our personalized take-home teeth whitening kits.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
In every whitening kit, you’ll find professional-grade bleaching gel along with special oral trays. Said trays will be designed to fit comfortably in your unique mouth. For a certain amount of time every day, you will fill the trays with the gel and wear them over your teeth. The gel will break down stains and discoloration-causing molecules. Many people who use professional teeth whitening kits notice significant changes for the better after about two weeks.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Even after a professional whitening treatment, your teeth can eventually become discolored again. The good news is that there are several ways you can help the results of teeth whitening last longer, such as:
- Changing Your Diet: Reduce your intake of coffee, blueberries, and anything else that is known to cause stains on teeth. At the same time, try to eat more yogurt and other white dairy products that can contribute to stronger, whiter teeth.
- Practicing Good Oral Hygiene: It’s easier to keep your teeth looking bright when you take the time to brush them at least twice a day.
- Visiting Your Dentist Regularly: Make a point of visiting our office once every six months. Once we’re done cleaning your teeth, we can polish your enamel to remove surface stains.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
What Causes Dental Discoloration?
There are two types of stains: intrinsic and extrinsic. At your consultation, we will conduct a comprehensive oral exam to determine the type you’re dealing with and which cosmetic dental treatment is best for you. For example, if you’re dealing with stubborn stains stemming from frequent coffee consumption, then you’ll likely be a candidate for teeth whitening. If, on the other hand, you’re dealing with permanent discoloration from a certain medication or medical condition, then veneers may be the best way to make your dream smile a reality.
What’s the Difference Between Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening?
At first glance, there may not seem to be much of a difference between store-bought kits and professional take-home treatments. While they are both designed to lift stubborn stains, the similarities between the two end there. After all, professional treatments are customized to your unique dental needs and smile goals, and they utilize custom applicators and powerful brightening gels. Conversely, store-bought kits use one-size-fits-all strips and diluted whitening agents (that’s why they underdeliver time and time again).
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Treatment Take?
The length of your teeth whitening treatment will depend on several factors, including if you need any preliminary care. That said, it usually takes about two weeks to see the full results, and you should see a noticeable difference after just one use!
Important note: If you want a bright, beautiful smile for an important event, like a wedding, don’t wait until a week or two before to schedule a consultation. Instead, get in touch with us a few months beforehand so we have plenty of time to provide any preliminary treatments that are necessary.
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
Typically, the results last for 3-6 months. The key to keeping your teeth stain-free is following the aftercare instructions we provide you, like not eating dark-colored foods (i.e., tomato soup, blackberries, BBQ sauce), brushing and flossing consistently, and avoiding tobacco use. If you start to notice a yellow hue, give us a call to schedule a touch-up whitening treatment.
Can I Drink Coffee After Whitening My Teeth?
We don’t recommend drinking coffee, especially in the hours following your teeth whitening treatment. Instead, stick to room-temperature water (this will help prevent sensitivity). When you do get the green light to drink coffee again, make sure to use a straw to prevent stubborn stains from resurfacing. If you can, brush your teeth about 20 minutes after as well.
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