Do you have yellow or stained teeth? Today, tooth whitening is a highly sought-after treatment because it can brighten teeth in multiple shades. Dr. Chris Goelz offers custom cosmetic dentistry services for patients who want to improve the appearance of their teeth. Longview Family Dental provides multiple types of professional teeth whitening in Longview, TX, to remove stains.
Teeth whitening treatments are some of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments to change the shade of one or more teeth. After whitening treatment, you can benefit from a younger-looking, brighter smile.
Ways That Teeth Stain
Teeth can stain in various ways. We will recommend the right whitening treatment based on the cause of your tooth stains. Essentially, there are three basic types of stains:
Extrinsic Stains
These are surface stains that affect the enamel layer of your tooth. Foods and beverages can cause extrinsic stains. The most common causes include coffee, tea, red wine, dark sodas, and tobacco use.
Intrinsic Stains
These are deeper stains that occur within the tooth structure. They affect the dentin layer of the tooth, which lies beneath the enamel. Intrinsic stains are often caused by dental trauma, certain medications (like tetracycline), and excessive fluoride.
Age-Related Stains
A combination of extrinsic and intrinsic factors leads to age-related stains. As we age, the outer layer of the tooth, the enamel, thins.
The tooth loses its brightness, and the dentin layer begins to show through more. Dentin naturally has a yellower tone. Also, years and years of tooth-staining habits leave teeth stained and dull-looking.
Professional Teeth Whitening in Longview, TX
If you are wondering how to whiten teeth, Longview Family Dental offers several ways to whiten your teeth. We provide teeth whitening treatments that can be done at home or in our office.
Opalescence: At-Home Teeth Whitening
We offer Opalescence whitening toothpaste and Opalescence Go. Both are great options to help our patients achieve whiter, brighter smiles at home. This professional-grade whitening toothpaste can remove surface stains, strengthen the enamel, and prevent cavities.
The whitening toothpastes are formulated with fluoride and potassium nitrate to reduce sensitivity. We often recommend toothpaste as a post-whitening treatment to help maintain results.
Opalescence Go is an at-home teeth whitening treatment that comes with a set of pre-filled whitening trays. This ready-to-use treatment offers professional results that you can achieve at home. You simply wear the trays for a short time each day making it ideal for our busy patients.
Philips ZOOM!®: In-Office Teeth Whitening
Philips Zoom! is a popular in-office teeth whitening treatment. To begin, our dentist will apply the whitening gel to your teeth. Then, our dentist uses powerful light to activate the gel and accelerate the whitening process. Our dentist repeats these steps to reach your desired tooth shade.
In about 45 minutes, we can brighten teeth up to eight shades. This fast, professional whitening option is also efficient and affordable. The treatment also includes desensitizing gel to minimize sensitivity and protect enamel.
The Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening
Improving your smile with professional teeth whitening offers numerous benefits:
- Our teeth whitening treatments offer an easy way to enhance your appearance by simply brightening your smile.
- One session offers immediate results for an instant smile makeover.
- Teeth whitening will not damage your natural teeth.
- We can customize the treatment to meet your needs and sensitivity levels for optimal results.
- Our dentist will supervise you with our tooth whitening treatments, which reduces the risk of side effects.
- Professional treatments offer long-lasting results. With proper care, your results can last for many years.
Unlike store-bought whitening options, professional whitening provides quick results. Whitening toothpaste, strips, and other products may not provide consistent results or any results at all.
Other Ways to Get Whiter Teeth
For many patients, teeth whitening will not provide the results they want. Some stains simply will not respond to even the strongest professional treatments. We offer additional ways to achieve whiter teeth that are more permanent:
- Dental Veneers: Veneers are custom-made shells we bond to the front surface of teeth. They mask stains and improve the overall appearance of the smile. To learn more about the benefits of dental veneers, see Porcelain Veneers.
- Dental Crowns: Dental crowns cover severely stained and damaged teeth. Crowns are caps that cover teeth fully and restore aesthetics and function to teeth. If you want to learn more about the dental crown process, see Dental Crowns.
- Teeth Bonding: During bonding treatment, we apply a tooth-colored resin material to a tooth. Then, we shape the material to improve the look of one or more teeth. Bonding can cover stains, chips, and cracks. To learn more about the tooth bonding process, see Teeth Bonding.
We often recommend these options for patients with tooth sensitivity or deep stains that do not react to whitening treatment.
How to Keep Your Teeth Bright
After teeth whitening treatment, you can maintain your results in multiple ways:
- Avoid Some Foods and Drinks: The acids in some foods and beverages wear down the teeth over time. As a result, dentin beneath the enamel shows through, which makes teeth appear darker. Additionally, some foods and drinks, including soy sauce, tomato-based sauces, wine, soda, and berries, can stain teeth.
- Get Touch-Ups: Once your treatment results wear off, you can get touch-up whitening treatments. Depending on your needs, you can get in-office or take-home touch-ups.
- Brush and Floss: When you brush and floss, you not only clean your teeth and gums but also remove surface stains. Stains from foods and drinks can collect on teeth over time.
- Visit The Dentist: We recommend that you visit our office twice a year for routine cleanings and exams. Dental cleanings remove plaque and food debris from the teeth, which can leave a film over the enamel.
Get Teeth Whitening in Longview, TX
Do you want to make over your smile? Our teeth whitening options can help you safely brighten your teeth at home or in our office.
To make a teeth whitening consultation, call our office at 903-662-7811. You can also schedule an appointment online.
If you have questions about teeth whitening, let us know at your next visit. We’re here to help.