The holiday season is a time of gift-giving and dressing up for festivities. If you plan to wear a special outfit, or do something different with your hair for the occasion, why not do the same for your teeth? If you’re already in gift-giving mode, consider the gift of dental teeth whitening, either for yourself or someone you love.
There’s no gift like a healthy, confident smile: especially after a year of building up tooth stains and discoloration. Start 2026 off on the right foot with your best smile yet, with help from the professionals at Eriks Dental Group.
Read on to learn more about dental teeth whitening, and whether it’s an ideal gift for you or that special someone.
There are many factors that contribute to yellowed teeth, but they can be summed up in two ways: genetics and lifestyle. Some people may be genetically inclined to discolored teeth because of certain medical conditions, while others who drink dark, sugary beverages or smoke regularly could see yellowed teeth. Typically, an improved diet and quitting tobacco products, combined with a regular brushing regimen and professional cleaning, can improve the color of your teeth. Other times, professional intervention is necessary.
Still other patients may experience discolored teeth from traumas or injuries to the mouth, which could cause tooth decay. Your dentist can determine the most likely cause after an examination.
You can also make an educated guess as to the cause of discoloration from the following clues:
Most people can benefit from professional whitening procedures, since we all will develop degrees of discoloration from regular eating and drinking. Other people may experience discoloration from taking certain medications, smoking, or other lifestyle choices. Specifically, those who use tobacco or drink beverages like red wine or coffee may have more tooth discoloration that is harder to remove with regular brushing and at-home whitening treatments.
However, the following patients may want to postpone dental teeth whitening:
The right whitening method will depend on the health and circumstances of the patient. A consultation with your dentist will take your lifestyle and overall health into account. Sometimes, a combination of procedures are recommended, along with making changes in oral hygiene care at home.
Here are a few common whitening methods recommended by Eriks Dental Group:
These one-hour whitening sessions deliver great results in a relatively short amount of time. We will recommend whitening procedures from Zoom or Brite Smile, which involve a special liquid bleaching gel that is applied to the surface of your teeth. This gel is “activated” using high-powered light technology. It is certainly the quickest and most efficient method of teeth whitening for patients with good oral health.
Under your dentist’s supervision, you can achieve a brighter, whiter smile by using custom plastic trays from the comfort of your own home. This process may take longer than in-office whitening, but is preferred by some patients because of the reduced cost. After a consultation, your dentist will create a custom tray that contains whitening gel and fits snugly on your teeth.
You’ll be instructed to wear it for a certain amount of time each day until desired results are achieved.
The least expensive and most accessible form of whitening, these strips can be found at most convenience and home goods stores. However, they have some drawbacks. While they can produce positive results, they are not custom-made for each person using them, so they may not fit every person’s teeth.
Whitening strips work more slowly, so depending on your desired timeline, they may not be ideal for everyone. They also are not equipped to handle the difficulty of whitening teeth that have been discolored after years of health or hygiene issues.
Renowned all over South Florida for excellent service and professional care, Eriks Dental Group offers a variety of treatments for patients of all ages. That means we’re a “one-stop shop” for the entire family: from a toddler’s first teeth to Grandma’s first set of dentures. We also address other dental needs, from implants to root canals. Whatever your situation, our professional team can offer unique, personalized care for your situation.
Because we prioritize the comfort and safety of our patients, we offer guided whitening treatments with full consideration of health and lifestyle. Should any side effects occur during the treatment, we can address and treat them immediately.
To schedule an appointment or consultation, call today at 954-463-5051 and speak with our staff.
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