Professional Teeth Whitening
One of the most common requests we hear at Unicorn Dental Group is for whiter teeth. Before choosing a whitening option, it’s important to consult your dentist to understand how it may affect your teeth and mouth.
Request an AppointmentMany people assume tooth discoloration is due to plaque or dirt, but a variety of factors can affect tooth color, including food, drink, tobacco, age, injury, and certain medications. Understanding the actual cause of your discoloration is important for choosing the right whitening approach.
How Teeth Whitening Works
Teeth whitening products use bleaches, either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, to break stains into smaller pieces, making them harder to see and leaving your teeth noticeably brighter. These bleaches don’t work equally well on all teeth, which is why consulting your dentist before treatment matters. Whitening won’t be effective on caps, veneers, crowns, or fillings, or if discoloration is caused by certain medications or an injury.
Your Whitening Options
Options for teeth whitening usually include whitening toothpastes, at-home bleaching kits, and in-office bleaching treatments. Effectiveness, safety, and results vary greatly between these approaches, so it’s worth discussing your goals with our team before choosing a method.
Understanding Sensitivity
If the bleach in a whitening product penetrates the enamel of your teeth, it can irritate the nerves and cause tooth sensitivity. This sensitivity is usually temporary, but overuse of whitening products can cause lasting damage. If you’re experiencing prolonged side effects from teeth whitening, contact us right away at (860) 635-3993.
Ready for a brighter smile? Call us today to discuss which whitening option is right for you.
Is professional teeth whitening safe?
Yes, professional whitening performed under a dentist’s guidance is safe and effective for most patients, though a consultation helps confirm it’s right for you.
Why aren’t my teeth responding to whitening products?
Whitening isn’t effective on caps, veneers, crowns, or fillings, and discoloration caused by certain medications or injury may not respond to bleaching.
How long does teeth whitening last?
Results vary depending on the method used and your lifestyle habits, but touch-up treatments can help maintain your brighter smile over time.
Will whitening make my teeth sensitive?
Some patients experience temporary sensitivity if bleach penetrates the enamel, though this typically resolves on its own.
What’s the difference between in-office and at-home whitening?
In-office whitening typically produces faster, more dramatic results under professional supervision, while at-home kits offer gradual results over time.