You deserve a dazzling, younger-looking smile. Professional in-office teeth whitening at the DENTAL STUDIO SF can provide a quick and effective cosmetic solution for yellowed or otherwise discolored teeth that allows you to return to your day with a brighter smile.
If you are ready for a confident, sparkling smile, contact the DENTAL STUDIO SF today online or at415-392-5025to schedule an appointment. Our San Francisco cosmetic dentists help people from throughout the Bay Area achieve brighter smiles.
- Benefits of Teeth Whitening
- When Should I Get Teeth Whitening?
- Over-the-Counter vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
- In-Office Teeth Whitening Procedure
- Take-Home Whitening Kits
- Teeth Whitening Results
- Preventing Future Teeth Stains
- What Are Some Foods and Beverages That Discolor Teeth?
- Alternatives to Teeth Whitening
- Teeth Whitening Cost
What Are the Benefits of Teeth Whitening?
The teeth whitening treatments offered at the DENTAL STUDIO SF can dramatically improve the appearance of stains and discolorations that have developed over the years due to:
- Aging
- Smoking
- Foods such as berries, beets, and tomato sauce
- Dark-colored drinks like wine, coffee, and soda
- Congenital tooth discoloration
- Tooth infections and injuries
- Poor oral hygiene
- Certain prescription medications
Professional teeth whitening treatments can help many patients significantly brighten their smile, ultimately providing the teeth with a whiter and much more refreshed look!
When Should I Get Teeth Whitening?
This treatment can be performed in the days or weeks prior to special events, including weddings, retirement parties, holiday parties, graduations, etc. The great thing about our in-office teeth whitening procedure is that the results are ready to go after a single appointment, so you can schedule the treatment shortly before your event. A take-home whitening treatment, while offering numerous benefits, requires at least a couple of weeks to achieve optimal results. That’s why professional in-office whitening treatments can serve as ideal options for many patients who would like to brighten their teeth as quickly as possible!
Additionally, if you are planning to get a tooth restoration – such as porcelain veneers, a dental crown, or a dental implant – it’s best to whiten your teeth beforehand. The restorations will not respond to the whitening agents, but they can be matched to the color of your newly whitened teeth.
Over-the-Counter vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
You will likely find a wide variety of over-the-counter teeth whitening solutions available at the supermarket or the local drugstore; however, it is very important to understand the differences between these options and professional teeth whitening treatments provided by dentists. One of the major distinctions involves the ingredients—most over-the-counter whitening kits simply do not have the powerful bleaching components that can significantly reduce discoloration and lighten the shade of the teeth. Whitening toothpastes, rinses, and options such as “whitestrips” likely do not have the capability of penetrating the tooth enamel deep enough to improve discoloration that has been developing there over a long period of time. Additionally, many of these products require consistent use over several days or weeks to work, and still may only produce a mild degree of whitening. Plus, some over-the-counter options may require the use of very ill-fitting and uncomfortable teeth whitening trays. In some cases, patients may even be considering what’s known as “natural” teeth whitening solutions by utilizing charcoal teeth whitening or coconut oil teeth whitening techniques; the American Dental Association has found zero evidence that those regimens are effective or safe to utilize. In fact, charcoal may even strip away natural tooth enamel and possibly create additional dental concerns.
Our in-office teeth whitening treatments are customized for each patient’s needs and provide results that are almost instantaneous. They are able to lighten the teeth by several shades and significantly diminish signs of yellowing, staining, and discoloration. It is also important to note that both in-office treatments and our take-home whitening tray options are supervised by cosmetic dentists, which can go a long way toward increasing the potential for successful results.
In-Office Teeth Whitening Procedure
Our dental team utilizes fast, state-of-the-art teeth whitening systems that have proven their ability to help patients enjoy whiter, brighter smiles. Treatment is always performed under the supervision of our dentists, and we strive to provide the most efficient and comfortable teeth whitening treatment possible.
A protective guard will be placed to protect your gums from the whitening gel. Once the gel has been applied to your teeth, a special device will be used to activate the gel’s effect. Results are immediate. You won’t have to wait weeks to see the effects of your treatment.
Advantages of in-office teeth whitening include:
- Completed in about an hour
- Whitens up to 8 shades brighter
- Leave our office with a brighter smile
- Long-lasting results with occasional at-home touch-ups
Our dentists regularly evaluate a variety of teeth whitening systems and technology. They choose only those systems for use at the DENTAL STUDIO SF that have proven to offer a consistently high quality of results. Following your treatment, you will be given customized bleaching trays to use at home to maintain long-lasting results.
Take-Home Whitening Kits
In addition to in-office teeth whitening treatments, our practice offers advanced take-home teeth whitening kits. These options can often produce superior results compared to drugstore teeth whitening or bleaching kits. Unlike over-the-counter alternatives, these take-home whitening trays are specially customized to fit the contours of your teeth, eliminating the risk of inconsistent whitening.
By applying take-home whitening trays available from our practice, you can:
- Whiten your teeth on your own time
- Whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home
- Get optimal results with customized teeth trays
How Long Do Teeth Whitening Results Last?
The results of your teeth whitening treatments can last two or more years if you maintain a diligent oral hygiene regimen, which includes the whitening take-home trays provided by the DENTAL STUDIO SF.
How Can I Prevent Future Teeth Stains?
There are several things you can do to reduce the severity of stains on the teeth and slow the progression of discoloration:
- Avoid Smoking and Tobacco-Chewing
Smoking and tobacco use are not only hazardous to your health, but they can also be very harmful for your teeth! Use of these products can cause the teeth to yellow at a fairly quick rate. Avoiding them altogether is ideal for your general health and the appearance of your smile. - Chew Gum (the Sugarless Kind!)
Chewing sugarless gum can actually be a good habit for oral health. The gum helps produce saliva and can clear away bits of food from the teeth. - Regularly Rinse Your Mouth with Water
A good amount of staining agents from foods and beverages can be washed away with a quick rinse after you consume them. - Brush Your Teeth at Least Twice Each Day
It’s usually better to brush after every meal, but at least twice a day is typically okay if that’s more convenient. Regular brushing is necessary for maintaining your oral health, and it is also a way to reduce yellowing of the tooth enamel. It’s often good to wait about 30 minutes before brushing after a meal; the acids in certain foods tend to soften the enamel, and waiting a bit before brushing allows the enamel to harden again. - Use a Straw for Drinking
Getting into the habit of using a straw when drinking beverages that are not clear (i.e. those that may contain staining agents) can help reduce the amount of direct contact that those types of liquids have on the teeth. - Add More Crunchy Vegetables to Your Diet
Raw and crunchy vegetables like celery, carrots, and broccoli can give your teeth a bit of a scrub while stimulating the production of saliva and reducing staining agents on the teeth. - Pour Some Milk in Your Tea or Coffee
Some of us just can’t get through our day without coffee or tea. Adding a little milk to these beverages may help reduce the potential for compounds that stain the teeth to settle on the enamel. Dairy milk (not dairy alternatives such as coconut, soy, or almond milk) contains a protein that can bind to staining agents and carry them to the digestive system rather than letting them linger on the teeth.
These tips won’t completely eliminate the possibility of developing tooth discoloration, but they can be very useful as a preventative measure!
What Are Some Foods and Beverages That Discolor Teeth?
- Food
- Some kinds of sauces: mainly tomato, curry, barbecue, soy, and vinegar-based options
- Blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, and blackberries
- Candy
- Beverages
- Red, white, and rosé wine
- Green tea and black tea
- Sports drinks like Gatorade®
- Soda, both light and dark
- All fruit juices – grape, apple, cranberry, etc.
Some of these foods are healthy and fun to enjoy, so you may not want to eliminate them completely. With the stain prevention tips listed above, you should be in good shape to mitigate the discoloring effect of your cuisine.
Are Porcelain Veneers Good Alternatives to Teeth Whitening?
Porcelain veneers also have the effect of whitening your teeth. You choose the shade of veneers you want, and the thin porcelain shells are placed over the front surface of your teeth. Any discoloration or dinginess below the veneers is concealed, as well as any chips, cracks, worn edges, or other flaws.
Veneers can be a good alternative for patients who have particularly deep and severe signs of stains and discoloration on specific teeth. They are also known for their long-lasting results – many patients have their veneers for up to a decade or longer before they need to be replaced. The porcelain material is highly resistant to stains; but general wear and tear over the years may call for replacing old veneers. Our dentist can talk with you about porcelain veneers and determine whether they may be an ideal choice for your needs.
How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost?
The cost of an in-office teeth whitening treatment at our practice typically starts at approximately $650. With that in mind, it is important to note that teeth whitening prices vary among individuals depending on their treatment plan and whether they opt for take-home whitening kits exclusively rather than an in-office treatment. Once you have met with our dentist and a treatment plan has been developed, a friendly member of our dental team can produce a cost estimate and go over any questions you may have. We accept numerous convenient forms of payment, and we work with a reputable financing agency that offers qualified applicants a way to pay for their teeth whitening treatment in a series of installments.
Bright, dazzling teeth are a critical component of a confident, winning smile. To schedule your teeth whitening appointment, please call the DENTAL STUDIO SF at 415-392-5025.
