The most common cosmetic dental procedure we see in our Annapolis, MD dentist office is teeth whitening. Many patients are looking for a simple, effective way to enhance their natural smile, and teeth whitening is a great way to achieve this goal. Wooddell & Passaro Restorative and Esthetic Dentistry offers in office and take home teeth whitening for patients, as well as other treatments that can restore your natural smile. Learn more below.

Why Do Teeth Get Discolored?

Despite their strength, teeth are porous and can become discolored by stains from highly pigmented foods and beverages. Frequent coffee or wine drinkers will probably experience tooth discoloration, and habits like chewing tobacco or smoking can accelerate tooth discoloration, too. Even certain prescription medications can make teeth appear less white. Following your dentist’s recommendation of brushing twice daily and flossing at least once daily can slow this process down and help your smile stay brighter and healthier longer. However, it cannot reverse this process.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

Our fastest method of teeth whitening is the in-office procedure. This takes a little over an hour and can produce results up to ten shades lighter. Results will depend on the severity and source of stains on the patient’s teeth, with certain stains being more difficult to erase completely.

The process of in-office teeth whitening usually goes as follows. First, we set up a protective barrier for your gums. Next, we brush a layer of maximum strength bleaching gel onto your teeth and activate the ingredients with a special light. This process may need to be repeated several times until your desired shade is achieved.

At-Home Teeth Whitening Kit

Our most convenient method for removing stains from your tooth enamel is at-home teeth whitening. This method utilizes custom-fitted trays created in the office and maximum strength bleaching gel. The take home kit will provide results far superior to over the counter options such as whitening strips and toothpastes that you may see for sale at your local drugstore.

At home, you will fill the trays with gel and fit them over your teeth for the prescribed amount of time daily, often overnight while you sleep. The bleaching gel will remove stains and, because it contains fluoride, it will also reduce sensitivity and strengthen your enamel. After about a week of regular use, your teeth will look dramatically whiter.

All our teeth whitening products are specially formulated to minimize tooth sensitivity.

Teeth Whitening in Annapolis, MD

To discuss which teeth whitening treatment would work best for your dental hygiene goals, schedule an appointment with our dental team by calling (410) 343-7075 or request an appointment online.