Teeth Whitening – Attleboro, MA
Make Your Smile Brighter Than Ever
Have you been up and down the oral hygiene aisle at the local grocery store trying teeth whitening toothpastes, mouthwashes, strips, and gels with little to no change in the shade of your smile? Are you spending your spare time checking out dubious DIY smile-brightening ideas on YouTube? Put down the white strips, leave the charcoal in the grill, and call Capron Park Dental to schedule an appointment! Our talented dentists and team in Attleboro offer a variety of cosmetic dentistry solutions to deliver flawless smiles, including take-home teeth whitening treatments.
Why Choose Capron Park Dental for Teeth Whitening?
- Uses Professional-Grade Bleaching Solutions
- Custom-Made Trays Ensure Even Coverage
- Brighten Your Smile in Just Two Weeks
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Before we begin the teeth whitening process, we need to complete a comprehensive oral exam. After all, brightening gels should not be used on decayed teeth or infected gums. Once we’ve confirmed that your smile is healthy (or provided the necessary restorative care), we will learn all about your smile goals, including how subtle or dramatic you want the results to be. The good news is that many patients with healthy smiles are good candidates for this cosmetic dental procedure, including those who are looking to achieve a brilliantly white smile.
Causes of Dental Discoloration
Of course, before we recommend teeth whitening, we want to understand the underlying causes of your dental discoloration. There are many reasons teeth may become discolored, but some of the most common causes of tooth staining include:
- Consumption of dark-colored foods and drinks
- Tobacco use
- Enamel wear, which reveals the yellow dentin layer of the tooth
- Overconsumption of fluoride during dental development may lead to brighter white spots on teeth
- Taking tetracycline medications during dental development may cause dark stripes on the surfaces of teeth
- Some people are genetically predisposed to have darker tooth coloring
Extrinsic Vs. Intrinsic Staining
There are two different types of stains that can occur in your smile: extrinsic and intrinsic.
Extrinsic staining occurs when there is staining on the outside of your enamel—the outer surface of your smile. This is usually caused by consuming foods or drinks rich in color. Additionally, this type of staining will happen gradually over time.
Intrinsic stains affect the dentin, which is the underlying layer of the tooth. Discoloration in this area of the tooth is typically caused by trauma or taking medication, like tetracycline antibiotics. Plus, as you get older, your teeth naturally become worn down, which will eventually lead to intrinsic staining.
How Does Take-Home Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening relies on an active whitening agent to lift stains from the porous surfaces of teeth through a chemical process called oxidation. You may be familiar with oxidation in some of its less-positive manifestations, like causing rust, but oxidation is also how we clean clothes and dishes as well as whiten teeth.
If you choose to move forward with take-home teeth whitening, then we will provide you with everything you need – from the brightening gels to the custom applicators. We will also provide you with helpful instructions on how and when to use them so you get the results you desire. You should see improvements after just one use, and the full results should be on display in just two weeks!
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
To maintain your bright, beautiful results, we recommend:
- Taking good care of your teeth at home
- Coming to our office twice a year for a checkup and cleaning
- Eating white fish, cottage cheese, and other light-colored foods
- Using a straw when drinking coffee
- Breaking bad habits, like smoking
Teeth Whitening FAQs
What’s the Difference Between Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening?
Every tooth has three layers – the hard, porous outer enamel, the supportive, yellow dentin, and the soft pulp. The thicker and healthier the enamel, the brighter the smile. Teeth whitening agents create an oxidation reaction that bubbles through the porous enamel, lifting away stains. Unfortunately, saliva is constantly working to neutralize chemical reactions in the mouth, including oxidation. This is where store-bought teeth whitening solutions typically fail. They allow the saliva to access and neutralize the whitening agent, stopping the smile-brightening process in its tracks.
Can I Drink Coffee After Having My Teeth Whitened?
We don’t recommend drinking coffee immediately following your teeth whitening treatment. In fact, we recommend steering clear of all dark-colored beverages, including red wine, cherry juice, and soda. Instead, drink lots of water to stay hydrated and help prevent food particles from clinging to your teeth.
Tip: If your teeth are a bit sensitive, opt for room-temperature water!
Is There Anything I Shouldn’t Eat After Whitening My Teeth?
Since pigmented foods can cause stubborn stains to resurface, we recommend avoiding them entirely. A few examples include blackberries, tomato soup, and marinara sauce. If you can, opt for light-colored foods instead, like plain yogurt, egg whites, and bananas.
