Teeth Whitening Athens
Wave Goodbye to Stubborn Stains!
Over the years, have your teeth started to look more yellow than white? If so, don’t waste your time and money on store-bought kits that overpromise and underdeliver. Instead, schedule a consultation with us so we can learn more about your unique aesthetic concerns and goals. Then, we can determine which cosmetic dental treatment is best, like in-office teeth whitening. If you are interested in learning more, give a friendly member of our team a call or read on!
Why Choose Athens Dental Associates for Teeth Whitening?
- Top-Rated Dental Office in the Area
- Experienced and Caring Team
- Flexible Financing Available
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
There are several things we need to consider when determining if someone is a good candidate for teeth whitening, including the health of their gums, the cause of the stains, and how severe they are. With that said, most patients who want a brighter smile can achieve the results they desire with our in-office and take-home teeth whitening treatments. So, if you want your pearly whites to live up to their name again, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation at our Athens dental office!
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
The process begins the same way: with a consultation. However, the actual stain-lifting process will look a little different depending on whether you choose an in-office or take-home whitening treatment. Below, you can find a little more information on each.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
If you want to brighten your teeth from the comfort of your own home, you’ll be happy to hear that we offer Opalescence take-home kits! In this case, we’ll give you everything you need, including detailed instructions on when and how to use the trays. After two weeks of consistent use, you’ll have a noticeably brighter smile!
In-Office Teeth Whitening
While some patients prefer to gradually whiten their teeth from home, others would prefer to get the results they desire in a single visit. If that’s the case for you, then consider in-office teeth whitening! We’ll handle every step of the stain-lifting process for you, including applying the whitener evenly to your teeth, so you can relax comfortably in the treatment chair.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
There are a few steps we recommend taking to keep your teeth nice and bright, including:
- Eating light-colored foods, like plain yogurt and cottage cheese
- Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash consistently
- Avoiding dark-colored beverages, like coffee and soda
- Breaking stain-causing habits, like smoking
- Scheduling a dental checkup and cleaning every six months
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Why Does My Mouth Need to Be Healthy to Get Teeth Whitening?
For any cosmetic procedure, big or small, you must not have any existing cavities, gum disease, or any other oral issue because treatment can make the problem exponentially worse. In other words, the whitening agent could harm your teeth more or simply not have a long effect if you don’t address an underlying infection. After it is resolved, we can then refocus on your smile’s aesthetic.
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
As powerful as the whitening agent is in professional-grade treatment, it shouldn’t hurt at all. If, by chance, you feel a little sensitivity afterward, you can use fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash to give minerals back to the enamel. At our office, you could even ask for fluoride treatment before you leave if you’re worried about sensitivity at home, but largely, this step is unnecessary because the materials we use are safe and effective.
How Long Does Professional Teeth Whitening Last?
It depends on a few factors, but in general, whitening treatment typically needs to be repeated about every two to three years to ensure minimal yellowing over time. The better you take care of your teeth and gums, the better and happier your smile can remain.
What If My Teeth Don’t Respond to the Whitening Agent?
Although most patients qualify for teeth whitening, it may not work for everyone. In fact, those who have the following may not see significant results:
- Take certain medications with teeth discoloration as a side effect.
- Have genetically discolored teeth.
- Have damaged or flawed teeth in other ways.
- Have stains that are much deeper than the enamel, which are called intrinsic discoloration.
Fortunately, Athens Dental Associates has other cosmetic procedures that can hide this imperfection, even if these stipulations apply to you. Direct bonding and veneers are capable of covering yellowed or dull teeth with composite resin or porcelain. During your consultation with us, if we find reason to believe your teeth may not improve in color, we may recommend either of these two treatments for your consideration.
How Close to a Special Event Should I Get My Teeth Whitened?
Do you have a wedding, class reunion, or job interview coming up? Don’t wait until the last minute to get the ball rolling on your appointments. The take-home kits, especially, require two weeks of treatment time, not to mention the weeks you need to wait to receive the trays from the lab. In-office whitening typically is completed in just one one-hour appointment, but you still should get it scheduled at least a few weeks ahead of your special event, just to be safe.