Teeth Whitening – Colchester, VT
Significantly Brighten Your Teeth in One Visit
Are your pearly whites looking more yellow than white? Luckily, you don’t have to turn to unreliable, one-size-fits-all products at your local store. Our skilled Colchester cosmetic dentists, Dr. Kristen and Dr. Mike, can significantly brighten your teeth in just one visit! If you’d prefer to transform your smile from the comfort of your own home, we offer take-home kits that are equally as effective. To learn more about the process of professional teeth whitening at Elevate Dental, reach out to our team or read on!
Why Choose Elevate Dental for Teeth Whitening?
- Highly Trained and Caring Dentists
- In-Office and Take-Home Whitening Treatments
- Convenient Appointment Times Throughout the Week
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
If your teeth have become stained and discolored, then it’s worth scheduling a consultation with our talented cosmetic dentists. It’s the best way to figure out if you’re a good candidate, after all! The good news is that most patients who don’t have untreated tooth decay, gum disease, and the like usually are. Plus, if one or more of these oral health concerns are present, we offer a wide range of restorative dentistry treatments as well, including tooth-colored fillings and dental crowns.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
At Elevate Dental, we’re proud to offer our patients two teeth whitening options. That way, you can achieve your smile goals quickly at our office or gradually from the comfort of your own home. To learn more about how each one works, read on!
In-Office Teeth Whitening
As the name suggests, in-office teeth whitening is completed right here at our Colchester dental office. In one visit, we can erase stubborn stains without compromising the health of your enamel. A powerful, safe, and effective bleaching gel is placed directly on your teeth before carefully being removed in stages. By the end of your appointment, you’ll have a noticeably brighter smile!
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Take-home teeth whitening options combine the convenience of over-the-counter products with the reliability of professional treatments. Our safe, powerful, and reliable whitening gel can penetrate the tooth to break up underlying stains. After about two weeks of using our kit, you’ll notice that your smile has brightened considerably.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
The results of your teeth whitening treatment in Colchester can last for three to six months. To prevent stubborn stains from popping up before then, it’s best to:
- Brush and floss your teeth after each meal
- Avoid unhealthy dental habits, like smoking
- Visit your dentist biannually for a cleaning
- Don’t eat dark-colored foods, like soy sauce and balsamic vinaigrette
- Use a straw when drinking beverages like coffee, wine, and soda
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Teeth whitening in Colchester is completely non-invasive, so there is no need to worry about issues like bleeding, swelling, or stitches. Most people find the process to be both easy and comfortable.
Most professional whitening formulas even have desensitizing agents to reduce posttreatment discomfort. However, you might still find that certain foods, such as spicy, acidic, hot, or cold items, can be unpleasant to eat during the first few days after your whitening treatment. Any sensitivity is likely to wear off within a few days. In the meantime, you should eat a mild, soft diet and take over-the-counter pain relievers if necessary.
What Is the Difference Between Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening?
Professional and store-bought whitening treatments sometimes use similar active ingredients, such as different forms of peroxide. However, there are some key differences between them:
- Professional formulas are more concentrated, which means they can produce better results in a shorter period of time.
- Because they are performed under the supervision of a qualified dental team, professional treatments are remarkably safe. In contrast, some store-bought whitening systems use harsh or abrasive ingredients that pose a threat to tooth enamel.
- Professional whitening can be customized for patients with stubborn stains or who deal with dental sensitivity. Store-bought treatments, on the other hand, are intended to be “one size fits all.”
How Can I Make My Teeth Whitening Results Last?
There are some simple things you can do to help your teeth stay bright for as long as possible:
- If you undergo an in-office whitening treatment, eat a “white diet” for 48 hours after your appointment. Essentially, this means you should only consume foods with minimal pigmentation, such as milk, bananas, plain chicken breast, cauliflower, etc.
- Limit foods and beverages that can stain your teeth, such as coffee, tea, red wine, and berries.
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a whitening toothpaste to remove surface stains.
- Rinse your mouth with water after consuming dark-colored drinks or foods.
- Schedule regular professional cleanings to maintain your bright smile and remove plaque buildup.
- Refrain from smoking or using tobacco products, since these can quickly discolor your teeth.
- Use a straw when drinking colored beverages to reduce contact with your teeth.
- Get periodic touch-up whitening treatments.
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Our team will be happy to help you determine if teeth whitening is right for you. You may be a good candidate if:
- Your teeth and gums are healthy. (You should be free of untreated cavities and gum disease.)
- Your specific type of dental staining is one that tends to respond well to teeth whitening products. Treatment is effective for most common stains, but certain types of discoloration require a more specialized approach.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?
Teeth whitening does not work on dental crowns. That is because crowns are made of a vastly different material than natural tooth enamel, so bleaching agents cannot penetrate them to remove stains.
If you are concerned about the appearance of your crowns, we might be able to polish them to make them look a bit better. Or, we could whiten your teeth and provide a new crown to match your brightened smile.
Alternatively, if the crown is toward the back of your mouth, its color may not matter. Onlookers are not likely to notice if it is a slightly different color than the rest of your teeth.