Coffee, tea, red wine, and simply getting older all slowly dull the color of your teeth. Professional teeth whitening in Folsom is one of the simplest ways to brighten your smile, and at Creekside it's done in the office, usually in a single visit, without a whitening light, an approach Dr. Nasr chooses to keep sensitivity to a minimum.
Below you'll find how whitening actually works, what the appointment is like, who gets the best results, and how to keep your new shade as long as possible.
How teeth whitening works
A tooth has two main layers. On the outside is enamel, which is hard and slightly translucent. Underneath is dentin, which is naturally more yellow and shows through the enamel.
Stains come in two kinds:
- Surface stains sit on the outer enamel. They come from coffee, tea, wine, tobacco, and some foods. A professional cleaning removes some of them, and whitening lightens what's left.
- Deeper stains sit within the tooth structure. Age, certain medications, past injury, or too much fluoride during childhood can cause them. Some respond well to whitening and some don't.
Whitening gel contains a peroxide that passes through the enamel and breaks down the stain molecules inside the tooth. The peroxide works inside the tooth rather than coating or wearing away the surface. Its color is lightened from within, so the result looks like your own teeth, only brighter.
How it works
Where stains live — and what whitening reaches
- 1Surface stains from coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco
- 2Stains inside the tooth — professional whitening gel reaches these
- 3Enamel, the clear-ish outer layer
- 4Dentin, whose natural yellow shows through the enamel
What to expect at your whitening visit
Whitening starts with an exam. Cavities, worn or exposed roots, and gum inflammation should be treated first, because whitening over them can cause discomfort and uneven results. If you're due for a cleaning, it's best done beforehand so the gel reaches clean enamel.
On whitening day, the visit usually goes like this:
- 1Shade check. We record your starting shade so you can see the change.
- 2Protection. Your lips, cheeks, and gums are covered so the gel touches only your teeth.
- 3Whitening. Professional whitening gel is applied in several short rounds, with fresh gel each time. No whitening light is used.
- 4Final shade. We compare your new shade with the starting one and go over aftercare.
What about sensitivity?
Some sensitivity during or after whitening is common. It usually feels like brief twinges and typically fades within a day or two. Dr. Nasr whitens without a light, an approach he uses to keep sensitivity as low as possible.
If your teeth are already sensitive, tell us beforehand. Using a toothpaste for sensitive teeth for a couple of weeks before and after often helps.
Who is whitening right for?
Professional whitening works best on natural teeth with yellowish or brownish stains from food, drink, or aging. Grayish discoloration, often from medications or injury, tends to respond less and may need a different approach.
One important point: crowns, veneers, bonding, and fillings don't whiten. If you have dental work on your front teeth, it will stay its current shade while the teeth around it lighten. In some cases, people whiten first and then replace older work to match.
If whitening won't give you the result you're hoping for, porcelain veneers or other cosmetic dentistry options may be a better fit. Many dentists also recommend postponing whitening during pregnancy or while nursing.
Store-bought strips vs. professional whitening
Over-the-counter strips and gels can lighten teeth, and products with the American Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance have been reviewed for safety and effectiveness. They use a lower concentration of peroxide, though, so results come more slowly and can be uneven around curved or crowded teeth.
Professional whitening differs in three ways:
- A professional-strength gel, applied in a controlled way, for faster, more noticeable results.
- Protected gums so the gel stays off soft tissue.
- An exam first, so problems like cavities, recession, or fillings that won't change color are found before you spend time and money whitening.
How long do whitening results last?
Results don't last forever, and how long they last depends a lot on your habits. People who drink coffee, tea, or red wine daily, or who smoke, usually notice staining return sooner. People who avoid those habits often keep a bright shade much longer.
To keep your results:
- Avoid dark drinks and foods for the first day or two, when teeth pick up stains most easily.
- Rinse with water or use a straw after coffee, tea, and red wine.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Brush twice a day, floss daily, and keep up with regular cleanings and checkups.
When your shade starts to fade, a touch-up visit can bring it back.
Professional teeth whitening in Folsom
In-office whitening is a quick, low-commitment way to refresh your smile before a wedding, a new job, or simply because you'd like to. Our office is on East Bidwell Street in Folsom, a short drive from El Dorado Hills.
Book your whitening appointment online or call (916) 983-8777. If you haven't had an exam recently, we'll start there.
