Teeth Whitening In West Windsor

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

While there are many different teeth whitening products out there, they all use the same basic principles of action. Teeth whitening products all contain peroxides, such as carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide.

What makes peroxides unique is their chemical composition. They contain very excited oxygen molecules. When these molecules contact the surface stains that attach to the pores of your enamel, they break the bonds that hold the stain onto your teeth.

In turn, this bleaches away the stain and restores the natural, white color of your enamel. It’s important to note, however, that this is only effective on extrinsic (surface) stains. Standard teeth whitening can’t be used to treat teeth that are discolored by intrinsic (internal) stains. An alternative treatment like a veneer or dental crown may be required to treat intrinsic stains.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

In-office teeth whitening is a great option if you want fast results for a special occasion. Dr. Munira Sulaiman or Dr. Mandeep Singh will clean your mouth, then apply a protective coating to your gums. Next, they will apply a powerful whitening compound to your teeth, activate it with a UV light, and rinse it away. 

This process may be repeated several times, depending on your current level of staining and your desired level of whiteness. In just a single appointment, you’ll be able to whiten your teeth by 5 shades or more.

Take-Home Teeth Whitening

Take-home whitening provides more gradual, subtle results compared to in-office whitening. The end result will be the same, but take-home kits whiten your teeth over a period of several weeks, rather than just a single appointment.

You’ll work with Dr. Munira Sulaiman or Dr. Mandeep Singh to get a set of custom-built whitening trays that will fit your teeth perfectly. You’ll also be given whitening compound and instructions on how to whiten your teeth at home. Usually, you’ll whiten your teeth for about an hour per day for 2-3 weeks.

The Benefits Of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening has a number of great benefits. Firstly and most importantly, it helps restore your self-confidence and self-esteem. Yellowed or stained teeth may make you feel self-conscious when smiling, laughing, or even eating around others. In addition, teeth whitening can remove stains and yellowing that make you look older, providing you with a more youthful appearance. 

Teeth whitening is also very affordable, fast, and non-invasive. If you’re interested in cosmetic dentistry, but you’re on a budget or you’re not sure where to start, teeth whitening from Smile Society General Dentistry is a great option.

How Long Does Teeth Whitening Work?

This depends entirely on your lifestyle habits and how well you care for your teeth, but on average, you’ll see the best results for about 1-2 years after treatment. And with routine touch-ups at our office, you can prolong your results and keep your teeth looking bright for years to come.

To keep your teeth bright and healthy, make sure to continue brushing and flossing regularly, and come to Smile Society General Dentistry for a teeth cleaning and oral exam every six months. You should also maintain a healthy lifestyle with a diet low in sugar, and quit smoking (if applicable) to avoid future stains. Reducing your intake of staining beverages like coffee and tea can also help prevent staining and discoloration.

Does Teeth Whitening Cause Sensitivity?

Yes. Teeth whitening tends to cause some minor sensitivity in most patients. This is usually more intense with in-office teeth whitening, since this treatment usually involves the use of more powerful whitening products.

However, this is temporary. Whitening-induced sensitivity happens because teeth whiteners weaken the outer layers of enamel very slightly during your treatment, exposing “dentinal microtubules” that are sensitive to heat, cold, and pressure.

After your treatment, your teeth will be strengthened as you brush with fluoride toothpaste, sealing up these microtubules and eliminating sensitivity. For most patients, this takes only a few days, though some may experience sensitivity that persists for a longer period of time.

There are a few steps you can take to deal with this. We recommend avoiding really hot and cold foods/drinks, since these make sensitivity worse. You can also use an anti sensitivity toothpaste like Sensodyne, which contains special ingredients that help reduce sensitivity.

Over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen and topical treatments like Orajel can also help if your teeth are feeling particularly sensitive.

Will Teeth Whitening Damage My Enamel?

The answer is “no,” as long as you work with a dentist like Dr. Singh or Dr. Sulaiman. Professional teeth whitening from a dentist is completely safe and will never damage your enamel or harm your teeth in any way.

However, this is not necessarily true of over-the-counter (OTC) whitening kits that you may buy at the drugstore, or online from websites like Amazon. It’s a lot easier to accidentally “over-whiten” your teeth with these kits, which could lead to enamel damage and a higher risk of tooth decay.

That’s one of the reasons why you should always turn to the pros at Smile Society General Dentistry to restore your smile. Dr. Singh and Dr. Sulaiman will ensure you get great results while protecting your oral health.

Should I Get A Cleaning Before Whitening My Teeth?

Yes! As part of every teeth whitening treatment, we offer teeth cleaning. Cleaning your teeth before teeth whitening helps remove plaque and tartar, and ensures that Dr. Singh and Dr. Sulaiman understand the true extent of your staining, and your natural enamel color.

A clean smile also ensures that the whitening product bonds properly to the teeth and whitens them evenly throughout the process, so make sure you have your teeth professionally cleaned at Smile Society General Dentistry before your at-home or in-office treatment begins!