Tooth Whitening

Premier Dental of Ohio proudly offers Opalescence whitening.

What is teeth whitening and how does it work?

Tooth whitening lightens teeth and helps remove stains and discoloration. Whitening is among the most popular cosmetic dental procedures because it can greatly improve how your teeth look. Whitening is not a one-time procedure. It will need to be repeated from time to time if you want to maintain the brighter color.

Teeth whitening is a simple process. The whitening products contain one of two tooth bleaches (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide). These bleaches break stains into smaller pieces, which makes the color less concentrated and your teeth brighter.

Professional whitening versus over-the-counter products.

Only a professional teeth whitener will offer professional results. Safe and effective, Opalescence has been the leader in whitening for over 20 years! Knowing your oral health condition, we can make recommendations that will allow you to get the best results in a timeframe that works for you. Your dentist can help you understand how the whitening process works, monitor your progress, and treat any sensitivity issues that may arise.

Advantages of professional whitening with Opalescence:

• Opalescence tooth whitening gel has been formulated to help reduce sensitivity, strengthen enamel and protect against cavities.
• Opalescence is formulated to prevent dehydration and shade relapse.
• Professional whitening has higher concentrations of whitening agents than non-prescribed solutions.
• Day or night wear.
• Easy chairside application without the need for a light.

Why did my teeth change color?

Over time, your teeth can go from white to not-so-bright for a number of reasons:

Food and drink
Coffee, tea and red wine are major staining culprits. What do they have in common? Intense color pigments called chromogens that attach to the white, outer part of your tooth (enamel).

Tobacco use
Two chemicals found in tobacco create stubborn stains: tar and nicotine. Tar is naturally dark. Nicotine is colorless until it’s mixed with oxygen. Then, it turns into a yellowish, surface-staining substance.

Age
Below the hard, white outer shell of your teeth (enamel) is a softer area called dentin. Over time, the outer enamel layer gets thinner with brushing and more of the yellowish dentin shows through.

Trauma
If you’ve been hit in the mouth, your tooth may change color because it reacts to an injury by laying down more dentin, which is a darker layer under the enamel.

Medications
Tooth darkening can be a side effect of certain antihistamines, antipsychotics and high blood pressure medications. Young children who are exposed to antibiotics like tetracycline and doxycycline when their teeth are forming (either in the womb or as a baby) may have discoloration of their adult teeth later in life. Chemotherapy and head and neck radiation can also darken teeth

Preparation

Other dental problems can affect the success of tooth whitening. For example, cavities need to be treated before teeth are whitened. That’s because the whitening solution can pass through decayed areas and reach the inner parts of the tooth. If your gums have receded, the exposed roots of your teeth may appear yellow or discolored. Whitening products will not make them whiter. These areas will need dental bonding. Whitening also does not work on ceramic or porcelain crowns or veneers.