At Eriks Dental Group located in Fort Lauderdale, we proudly uphold the mantra of being the official sponsor of smiles. We deeply understand the transformative power of a radiant smile. However, we recognize that, at times, individuals may hesitate to embrace their smiles due to concerns about tooth stains or discoloration, which can often impact their self-esteem. If you have tooth stains or discoloration, our professional teeth whitening services can provide you with a solution.
Our dental team will accompany you every step, ensuring your journey to a brighter smile is comfortable and successful. Keep reading to learn more about dental whitening services.
Am I A Candidate For Professional Teeth Whitening?
Our dental team provides expert guidance to help you determine if professional teeth whitening services is right for you. Individuals who regularly drink beverages such as coffee, tea, beer, or red wine may benefit from teeth whitening. Additionally, people who use tobacco products, either through smoking or chewing, might require whitening treatments due to the discoloration these products can cause.
Certain foods, including bread, curry, and pasta, can also contribute to tooth discoloration. Some medications, like doxycycline or tetracycline, may also cause tooth discoloration.
Professional teeth whitening is not recommended for the following categories of persons:
- Pregnant and lactating women. Dentists typically advise women in these categories to postpone teeth whitening until after giving birth and completing the breastfeeding period. This precautionary measure avoids any potential risks of using teeth-whitening ingredients like peroxide, which may cause allergies or other side effects.
- Minors and teenagers under 16 should not undergo a dental whitening procedure. This is to mitigate the risk of the teeth becoming brittle over time.
- Patients with discolored dental work such as fillings, veneers, crowns, or implants. If you have such dental work, consult your dentist before initiating teeth whitening.
Methods of Dental Whitening
Patients can choose between professional in-office whitening, home tray kits, or whitening strips. The decision between these options hinges on various factors unique to each individual, including lifestyle habits and the severity of discoloration.
In most cases, our patients opt for a combination of procedures. Initially, they have professional in-office whitening treatments and after completing this, we create custom trays for them to continue the process at home.
Professional In-Office Whitening
At Eriks Dental Group, we provide the convenience of one-hour whitening sessions designed to deliver remarkable results efficiently. Our experienced dental team begin by carefully assessing whether you are an ideal candidate for dental whitening, considering the factors outlined earlier. You will undergo our advanced Zoom or Brite Smile teeth whitening procedures if deemed suitable.
During Zoom and Brite Smile teeth whitening sessions, a specialized liquid gel is meticulously applied to the surface of your teeth. Subsequently, our skilled dentists activate this potent bleaching gel using high-powered light technology, facilitating accelerated results.
Opting for this procedure in our dental practice offers significant advantages. You’ll benefit from the expert guidance of an experienced dentist throughout each step. Additionally, it ensures predictable outcomes and is one of the quickest methods to brighten your teeth.
Using Home Whitening Kits
At our dentist’s recommendation, you can achieve brighter teeth from the comfort of your home using custom plastic trays. However, this process may take longer than professional in-office whitening procedures conducted in our dental office.
Before proceeding, our dentist will conduct an assessment to determine your suitability. Following this assessment, we will fabricate custom dental trays to ensure a snug fit on your teeth.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to effectively utilize these at-home plastic trays for teeth whitening:
- Prepare your teeth beforehand. Begin by brushing and flossing thoroughly. This initial step removes food particles, and grime stuck on the teeth. Neglecting this step could compromise the effectiveness of the whitening process, as the whitening gel may not reach certain areas, resulting in uneven shading.
- Carefully insert the whitening gel into the tooth trays. Ensure you use the recommended amount to prevent spillage onto the gums. Once filled, firmly place the tray against your teeth. If any gel seeps out, promptly wipe it away with a cloth to avoid contact with the gums, which may irritate.
- Allow the tray to remain on your teeth for at least two hours each day or as instructed by your dentist. After reaching the designated timeframe, rinse off the gel thoroughly. You can use a toothbrush to ensure you remove any remaining gel. Should you experience discomfort during this process, consider using a desensitizing toothpaste like Sensodyne to alleviate any sensitivity.
- Wipe and safely store the tray and any remaining gel until the next use.
Whitening Strips
Whitening strips are a practical choice for dental whitening, however, they have a few potential drawbacks. While whitening strips can provide noticeable results, the results are slower than professional treatments. Additionally, since the strips are not custom-made for your teeth, they may not fit perfectly. This may result in uneven whitening or discomfort.
Types of Teeth Discoloration
Teeth discoloration can either be extrinsic or intrinsic. Extrinsic discoloration affects the tooth enamel or the surface of the tooth. These stains are caused by exposure to certain foods and beverages and can be removed by professional cleaning or teeth-whitening methods.
Intrinsic discoloration occurs within the teeth, affecting the dentin. This discoloration usually appears grayish and is caused by certain medications, dental trauma, and tooth decay. Intrinsic discoloration also needs advanced teeth whitening methods to remove.
Teeth discoloration occurs in different colors, which can help indicate the cause:
- Yellow: This discoloration often results from taking dark-colored foods or beverages or poor oral hygiene.
- Brown: Brown stains can occur from smoking or chewing tobacco or untreated tooth decay.
- White: White spots on teeth may be a sign of dental fluorisis. This occurs from the consumption of high levels of fluoride, especially during childhood.
- Black: Black spots on your teeth can indicate severe tooth decay or exposure to certain minerals such as manganese.
Professional Teeth Whitening in Fort Lauderdale
At Eriks Dental Group, we prioritize the safety and comfort of our patients. Our experienced dental team is available to address any concerns or unexpected side effects that may arise during or after your teeth whitening treatment.
In addition to teeth whitening, Eriks Dental Group offers a wide range of services to help with all your dental needs. From tooth cleaning and cosmetic dentistry to dental implants, fillings, and root canals, our professional team of dentists are here to provide personalized care and solutions tailored to your unique situation.
Don’t hesitate to contact us at 954-463-5051 to speak directly with one of our experts and schedule an appointment.
