Teeth Whitening Aurora
Reveal a Whiter Smile Today
A bright white smile is associated with youth, confidence, and success; however, not everyone is happy with the color of their teeth. If you’re embarrassed by stains or discoloration, you’re not alone. Teeth come in a variety of shades and tones naturally, but various factors can cause them to change color over the years. Whether you didn’t hit the genetic jackpot or your morning cup of coffee has tarnished your pearly whites, cosmetic dentistry can help with teeth whitening in Aurora.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
If OTC whitening products haven’t given you the results you want, it’s time to turn to the professionals. If you have healthy teeth and gums, you might be a candidate for a whitening treatment. After examining your mouth and determining the cause of your discoloration, your dentist will determine if it’s the right solution for you. It’s often recommended to treat discoloration caused by:
- Age
- Genetics
- Smoking or using tobacco
- Dark foods and drinks, like coffee
- Certain medications, like antibiotics
- Certain diseases
- Poor oral hygiene habits
If your cosmetic dentist finds anything concerning during your consultation, like tooth decay or gum disease, they must be addressed before moving forward with your whitening treatment.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Unlike OTC products, professional treatments contain highly concentrated whitening agents that penetrate the enamel to resolve stains. Your teeth can become up to 8 shades whiter. You have multiple options when choosing a method to revamp your smile, which include:
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
You can enjoy the convenience of an OTC remedy and the results of an in-office solution with a professional take-home kit. Your cosmetic dentist in Aurora will give you everything you need to whiten your smile gradually over 2 weeks.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
If you prefer quicker results, you can achieve a dazzling smile over your lunch break. A whitening agent is applied to your teeth, which is activated using a special dental light. In about 1 hour, you’ll have the drastic improvement you want without the wait.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Your smile can stay bright and beautiful for several months to many years with the right aftercare routine. You can ensure your investment lasts by following a few tips:
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and nonabrasive toothpaste to brush at least twice daily, if not after every meal. Don’t forget to floss your teeth every night before heading to bed.
- Limit Dark Foods and Drinks: Moderate how often you consume dark foods and drinks, like coffee, berries, or red wine. If you can’t resist your afternoon tea, drink it all at once and rinse your mouth with water when you are finished.
- Stop Smoking: It’s best to kick the habit to prevent tar and nicotine stains.
- Visit Your Dentist: Schedule a cleaning and checkup every 6 months. Your dentist can also give you a touchup kit to maintain your results.
Don’t spend another day feeling embarrassed by your teeth. Contact our office today to request your consultation for a vibrant smile.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a very popular cosmetic option, but you should only commit to the treatment once you understand how much you can expect to pay for it. The cost of teeth whitening depends on a number of factors, which we will be happy to explain in full detail at your initial consultation. Here are some important points to keep in mind when you’re trying to figure out how to fit teeth whitening into your budget.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
While a single whitening procedure usually has a set price, the total amount you end up paying can vary depending on:
- How Severe the Discoloration Is: Sometimes it might take multiple treatments to remove all of the stains from your teeth. Additional whitening sessions will naturally add to the overall cost.
- Whether Preparatory Treatments are Needed: Cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues will need to be dealt with before the whitening process can begin.
- Whether You Currently Have Veneers or Restorations: Teeth whitening has no effect on veneers or restorations like crowns. As such, it might be necessary to pay to have previous dental work replaced so that all of your teeth match in terms of shade.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
Each type of teeth whitening has a separate price tag to consider:
- In-office whitening usually costs between $400 and $800, although it can potentially be higher based on the circumstances.
- The cost of a customized take-home whitening kit is typically around a few hundred dollars.
- Store-bought whitening trays can be found in most supermarkets and pharmacies, and they usually cost less than $100.
- Whitening strips, gels, and toothpastes are typically your cheapest options. In particular, a box of whitening strips will likely cost between $20 and $40.
Inexpensive Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
Why do so many people choose professional teeth whitening when there are cheaper options available? The answer is simple: cost is often a reflection of quality. Many people find that inexpensive whitening methods such as strips and gels have little to no effect on their dental discoloration. Professional treatments are much more reliable in comparison, and they can dramatically brighten your smile in much less time.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Having a stained and discolored smile unfortunately can’t be prevented, but with teeth whitening in Aurora, you can boost your self-esteem and revitalize your pearly whites. In a single office visit, we can have your smile glowing several shades brighter so you can take on the world with renewed confidence. If you’re wondering whether investing in improving your appearance is worth it, we’ve compiled some common questions we get from patients below, for your convenience.
How often will I need touch-ups?
It’s important that you know that no teeth whitening treatment is permanent. Depending on your oral habits and diet, some patients’ results can last longer than others. If you notice your teeth beginning to dull down, you can always visit us for a touch-up. For patients who avoid stain-causing products and habits, they may be able to go an entire year or longer before they need to visit their cosmetic dentist in Aurora for another treatment.
How can I keep my smile whiter for longer?
The best way to extend how long your results last is to:
- Avoid consuming foods and drinks that have a dark or rich color that could stain a white shirt. Some of these include, coffee, red wine, balsamic vinegar, and soy sauce.
- Brush your teeth after meals to break apart stains developing on your enamel.
- Rinse your mouth with water after each time you drink something that could easily stain your teeth.
- Floss daily to remove plaque buildup.
- Consider touching up your results every six months.
Will whitening my teeth harm them?
While whitening your teeth with store-bought kits may harm them, professional whitening definitely won’t. The main side-effects that people experience include temporary increased tooth sensitivity for the couple days following their treatment. If you do experience this, you can:
- Stop using whitening products on your teeth to see if the sensation goes away.
- Ask your dentist if fluoride treatment can help re-mineralize your enamel and get rid of the sensitivity.
- Brush your teeth with toothpaste specially made for sensitive pearly whites.
What’s the difference between store-bought teeth whitening kits and the products a dentist uses?
Using products found in store-bought whitening kits can harm your oral health. In fact, most over-the-counter products aren’t approved by the American Dental Association, unlike the ingredients your professional uses. That means that they haven’t been studied enough to determine that they won’t harm your teeth or gums.
With your dentist, you can rest assured that the only products that will be put in your mouth are ones that are safe, reliable, and highly effective. They’re also ADA-approved so you know they’ve been tested. That way, you won’t have to take a gamble on your oral health.
If I have restorations, can I get teeth whitening?
If you have visible restorations, keep in mind that the whitening products won’t change their color, they’ll just whiten your natural teeth. That means that in order to brighten your grin, you may need to either replace your restorations to match the new shade of your teeth. At Mauck & Ricci, DDS, we also offer additional cosmetic procedures that you could benefit from such as porcelain veneers. The best way to learn how you can improve your smile is to schedule a consultation with an experienced dentist in Aurora, like Dr. Matt Mauck or Dr. Andrew Ricci.