Teeth Whitening In Clearwater, FL
Teeth Whitening
Best Teeth Whitening Service in Clearwater, Florida
One of the most common cosmetic dental treatments that people have is the color of their teeth. This is why 37 million people sought whitening treatments in 2020.
The color of your teeth should closely match the whites of your eyes. However, due to many factors including genetics, lifestyle, dietary choices, medical conditions/treatments, and more, this may not always be the case.
Teeth whitening procedures can solve this concern by removing both extrinsic and intrinsic stains. You can buy teeth whitening products at your local pharmacy, but it’s best if done under the supervision of a dental professional trained in tooth whitening.
Get a Brighter Smile with Professional Teeth Whitening
Both OTC and professional teeth whitening products primarily use carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. The difference is the concentration. In-office professional teeth whitening products have a higher concentration, which makes them more efficient than OTC products.
Baker Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in Clearwater offers a variety of general, cosmetic, and restorative procedures for the whole family, including professional teeth whitening services.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure designed to improve the color of the patient’s teeth. Ideally, your teeth should match the whites of your eyes. However, this is often not the case due to various factors.
Common teeth whitening methods include ultraviolet light (UV) therapy, bleaching, sanding down stains, and more. You can purchase a kit at your local pharmacy to whiten your teeth at home – but the results from these are not as dramatic as professional services.
While these procedures do solve the aesthetic issue of discoloration, they may also cause some unpleasant side effects including gum irritation and/or tooth sensitivity.
Types of Tooth Staining
- Extrinsic, which affects the enamel or outer layer
- Intrinsic, which affects the dentin or inner layer
Extrinsic stains are typically caused by factors such as diet and lifestyle. According to a 2014 study, antibiotic use may also contribute to extrinsic staining.
Intrinsic stains are typically caused by factors such as genetics, aging, antibiotic use, fluoride exposure, and more.
For tooth whitening to be effective, it’s important to understand the type and severity of your tooth stains.
Why Choose Baker Cosmetic & Family Dentistry In Clearwater, FL For Professional Teeth Whitening
Dr. Baker at Baker Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in Clearwater has more than 16 years in the dental industry. He has been named a top-rated dentist in Clearwater since 2009. He strives to take a patient-centered approach to treatment and works to make sure that patients are comfortable. Finally, he has experience and expertise in a variety of general and cosmetic dental procedures.
Benefits of Teeth Whitening
The primary benefit of teeth whitening is a brighter, whiter smile – which can significantly boost confidence. When you choose professional tooth whitening treatments, your risk of side effects is reduced because they can take the proper precautions to protect your teeth and soft tissues. Plus, professional teeth whitening is much more effective than OTC treatments because the concentration of active ingredients is much higher.
Average Cost of Teeth Whitening Treatment In Florida
The cost of teeth whitening treatments ranges from around $70 to $1,000+, depending on the type of whitening you choose. Baker Cosmetic & Family Dentistry uses Zoom tooth whitening, which has an average cost of around $500 per treatment.
Teeth Whitening Treatment
There are several teeth whitening options ranging from toothpaste to professional whitening services supervised by the dentist. Some of these treatments remove stains, while others simply bleach them.
Most whitening treatments use either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to break down stains, which can be irritating to your soft oral tissues. If you experience irritation or sensitivity, talk to your dentist.
How Does it Work?
There are several steps involved in professional whitening:
- First, the dentist will record the starting shade of your teeth. Then, pumice will be used to remove plaque and polish your teeth.
- Gauze will be placed along your gumline to keep teeth dry and retractors may be used to keep soft tissues from being exposed to the whitening solution. This will help avoid any irritation caused by exposure to such a high concentration of peroxide.
- The next step is to coat the front surface of the teeth with the whitening solution. Once the teeth are fully coated, a curing light/laser will be used to activate the peroxide, and the solution will be left on for 30 minutes to an hour. In some cases, the solution will need to be reapplied during this time.
- Once the time is over, the teeth are rinsed, and fluoride is applied to reduce the risk of tooth sensitivity. If needed, additional visits may be scheduled.
Following treatment, you’ll need to avoid foods/beverages and habits that are known to cause staining for at least 24 hours. After that, it’s important to at least rinse your mouth after consuming foods/beverages that stain. This will reduce the risk of staining teeth again.
Who Is The Right Candidate For Teeth Whitening
Hollywood has led us to believe that a bright, white, perfect smile is typical- which isn’t the case for most people. Still, your smile is nothing to be ashamed of. Several things could cause tooth discoloration including:
Video 01:00 Everyone desires a bright, white smile, but sometimes brushing twice daily isn’t enough. In-office tooth whitening is a great way to give your smile that extra sparkle.
- Aging: Your enamel thins as you age, exposing the dentin underneath, which is usually slightly darker
- Genetics: Sometimes, patients are susceptible to tooth discoloration due to genetic factors
- Medications: Certain medications, such as antibiotics, can cause teeth to become discolored
- Lifestyle habits: Drinking dark-colored beverages such as red wine, tea, coffee, and others can cause stains to develop on teeth. In addition, smokers often have discolored teeth due to the accumulation of tobacco and other chemicals on the teeth.
- Budget: Teeth whitening is a cosmetic treatment, which means that dental insurance will not cover it and many people cannot afford it
It is important to note that tooth whitening only works on natural teeth. Restorations such as dental implants, crowns, bridges, and veneers will not whiten. If these restorations are located on the front teeth, whitening is not recommended. However, if these restorations are on back teeth, patients may still qualify for whitening.
If you are concerned about tooth discoloration, discuss these concerns with your dentist. They will be able to help you determine the best course of action. Tooth whitening is not a medically necessary treatment.
Side Effects of Teeth Whitening
The most common side effects of teeth whitening are temporary tooth sensitivity and/or gum irritation. This should resolve itself within a few days. However, 2019 research indicates that repeated tooth whitening can cause permanent damage to the tooth enamel.
Gum irritation is less of a concern with in-office treatments because precautions are taken to protect gum tissue from too much exposure to the chemicals.
Aftercare Maintenance
After investing in a tooth whitening treatment, you want to maximize your results and make them last as long as possible. You can do this by practicing proper oral hygiene- that is brushing twice daily and flossing at least once. When you brush, use whitening toothpaste. Also, make sure that you visit the dentist every 6 months for an exam/cleaning. If needed, touch-up treatments can be provided at these appointments.
In addition, minimize or avoid contact with foods/beverages and other factors that can contribute to discoloration.
FAQs on Teeth Whitening Treatment
If you have any questions about teeth whitening at Baker Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in Clearwater, Dr. Baker and the team will be happy to answer them. After all, we understand that much of a patient’s comfort level with treatment has to do with their understanding of the procedure.
If your primary goal is to brighten and whiten your teeth, tooth whitening can be a safe and effective option. However, the decision about whether or not teeth whitening is “worth it” is a personal one.
The primary reason that teeth whitening procedures are so expensive is that these procedures are not covered by dental insurance. However, most dental clinics offer in-house or third-party financing options that can make it easier to pay for.
Most patients find that results from professional teeth whitening last for about a year, with proper care and maintenance. However, if you do not avoid lifestyle habits and foods/beverages that cause staining, results will not last as long.
Professional teeth whitening treatments offer more dramatic results than OTC treatments, making them well worth the investment for most patients.
Over time, your teeth will turn yellow again after whitening. However, most patients find that results last for about a year with proper care and maintenance.
The cost of teeth whitening ranges from around $70 to $500+, depending on the type of treatment, the location of the clinic, and the experience/expertise of the dentist. At-home kits are often much less expensive- but also often less effective.
According to the American Dental Association, you should visit the dentist for a cleaning and exam every 6 months. However, there is no clinical guideline for how often teeth should be whitened. Many patients see results after only one treatment, while others may need several treatments to see significant improvement.
According to Florida law, professional whitening services may only be offered by a dental professional. This includes a licensed dentist or a dental hygienist under the supervision of a licensed dentist. Salons and spas are not able to offer these services.
The cost of Zoom whitening ranges from around $300 to $1,000, with an average of around $500. This depends on the location of the dental clinic, the type of treatment you receive, the experience/expertise of the dentist, and the financing options available.
After having your teeth professionally whitened, there are a few things you can do to maximize your results. First of all, practice proper oral hygiene using whitening toothpaste. Also, if you’re a smoker or tobacco user, try to minimize your use of these products if not completely quit. Minimize your consumption of foods/beverages that are known to cause tooth stains and, if you do consume these things, be sure to rinse your mouth well if not brush your teeth immediately after.
