Professional Teeth Whitening

Age, diet, and other factors can leave teeth looking tarnished and discolored. However, wanting a dazzling smile with bright, white teeth has never been easier thanks to the dedicated professionals at Dental Solutions of Encinitas. 

Teeth whitening treatments safely remove stains and leave teeth looking bright and healthy. If you are embarrassed by yellow or stained teeth, Dr. Sherry Vakilian can explain the many benefits of professional teeth whitening treatments. Our office offers in-office and take-home kits. 

Call today and schedule your appointment and get a sparkling smile you’ll love to share with the world.

Professional teeth whitening treatments offer drastic results that over-the-counter cleaning kits simply cannot match. Store-bought kits contain two to three percent bleaching agents by volume. Our prescription-strength gels are 20 to 35 percent hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide by volume.

With proper oral hygiene habits and twice-a-year visits to our Encinitas dental practice, you can enjoy the cosmetic results of teeth whitening for three years or longer. Teeth whitening treatments are also one of the few cosmetic procedures that do not alter your tooth’s natural structure. The bleaching agents simply lift stains from the surface of your teeth without harming your enamel.

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When to Consider Teeth Whitening

With our in-office professional whitening options, you’ll see noticeable results after a single visit. All it takes is a single hour of your time, and your smile can be up to 8 times brighter.

Our teeth whitening service is gentle but effective, meaning any adult with good oral health makes a great candidate. Our artistic results help you feel confident in your everyday life or prepare for big events.

  • Going to a job interview or promotion.
  • Getting a professional portrait done, such as wedding photos or family pictures. 
  • Want to improve first impressions in social situations with a brilliant, white smile.

What Is the Process for Professional Teeth Whitening? 

Professional teeth whitening uses whitening products, usually gels, to enhance the appearance of your smile. Many people have stains, discoloration, or yellow teeth. Dr. Vakilian applies the gel treatment and may use LED lights for quick results, although these lights are only used for the in-office treatment. If you are at home, you apply the gel in a retainer that you wear for around 15 minutes, every day for a couple of weeks.

With professional teeth whitening at Dental Solutions of Encinitas we can create brighter, whiter smiles.

Extrinsic stains are caused by external factors like what you eat and drink. Intrinsic stains are caused by internal conditions like aging and genetics. 

Many people have a mix of both extrinsic and intrinsic stains. With professional teeth whitening, you can get pearly whites if you have extrinsic stains of any kind. Unfortunately, intrinsic stains can’t be fixed with teeth whitening. 

However, Dr. Vakilian provides other options if teeth whitening won’t work to enhance your smile. She also provides the following cosmetic and restorative dentistry services including: 

  • Porcelain Veneers: A porcelain veneer attaches permanently to the front of your natural teeth. The veneers are in the shape of teeth and look natural, while also being uniform and white. Veneers cover up many cosmetic imperfections in your smile. 
  • Dental Bonding: Dental bonding uses tooth-colored material to repair cracks, chips, discoloration, and more. 
  • Dental Crowns: Dental crowns fit over existing teeth like a snug cap. They can repair the appearance and function of your smile if you have stains, discoloration, cracks, or chips. 
  • Dental Implants: Dental implants are a long-lasting option to replace teeth. Dental implants are best for people who have issues with the function of their teeth, not just cosmetic concerns.

Dr. Vakilian will work with you to figure out the best way to improve the look of your smile.

Choosing the Right Whitening Treatment

Before your teeth whitening treatment can be scheduled, Dr. Vakilian will determine if you are a good candidate for the cosmetic procedure. During your consultation, Dr. Vakilian or a member of our dental team will describe the difference between in-office treatments and take-home whitening kits.

Both options offer drastic cosmetic results.

In-Office Whitening

If you want quick results, you may prefer our in-office whitening treatment. In one hour, you can enjoy a smile that is several shades whiter. In-office whitening treatments are completed under the careful watch of a member of our dental team. 

A special gel barrier will be placed along your gums to ensure that the whitening gel does not touch the surface of your gums. Then, the gel will be placed and held in place using your custom mouthpiece. 

After coating your teeth with our whitening gel, a special light may be used to speed the whitening process. Over the course of an hour, the bleaching agent will lift surface stains from your teeth while whitening your smile by up to several shades.

In-office whitening is the best option for patients who want immediate results or who have deeper stains. So, if you want a safe, quick way to totally transform your smile, consider in-office whitening, even if you have deep discoloration. 

Take-Home Whitening Kits

Take-home kits are ideal for individuals who prefer to undergo treatment at a time that is convenient for them. Before you are given a take-home whitening kit, a custom mouthpiece will be made at our dental practice. Once you have your custom mouthpiece, a member of our dental team will give you detailed instructions on how to apply the bleaching agent. 

Small amounts of the gel should be placed along the bottom of the mouthpiece, and the whitening kit should be worn for the period of time specified by the instructions that come with the gel kits. Special care should be taken to ensure that the bleaching agent does not come into contact with gum tissue. 

Take-home kits typically require several treatments. To maintain your white smile, patients can purchase additional gel syringes for periodic at-home touch-up treatments.

Can OTC Teeth Whitening Still Help?

It’s easy to access many over-the-counter options such as toothpastes and gels. If you have only a small amount of discoloration or very slight teeth yellowing, you may notice slight improvements. However, it takes a lot of time and consistency to see even minimal results.

If you want to get effective results nearly right away, professional teeth whitening is a much better option. 

The other big advantage of professional teeth whitening is safety. Some OTC products can strip your natural tooth enamel, which isn’t good for your oral health. 

With professional services, you can see obvious results while knowing your teeth aren’t being harmed. These services are done under the direction of Dr. Vakilian, so she will ensure your teeth are in great shape and look beautiful.  

What Causes Tooth Staining and Discoloration?

Age:

As you get older, tooth enamel naturally strips away, revealing the dentin underneath, which has a yellowish color.

Genetics:

Some people are more prone to stains and discoloration than others, meaning, it may be harder for some people to maintain a bright smile even with great habits.

Diet:

What you eat and drink impacts the look of your teeth. Drinks like coffee, tea, red wine, and soda can stain teeth. Some foods, such as popsicles and red sauces, can also stain your teeth.

Tobacco Products:

Smoking or chewing tobacco is bad for your health in multiple ways and can also cause yellowing and staining.

Health:

Dental trauma can cause stains and discoloration. Some medications, such as blood pressure meds and antipsychotics, can impact the shade of your teeth.

Dental Hygiene Habits:

While dental hygiene isn’t the only thing that impacts the shade of your teeth, it’s still a crucial way to maintain a beautiful smile.

Are you struggling to maintain a bright smile you feel proud to show off? Dr. Vakilian can assist you with education and prevention to improve your teeth, and she also offers effective teeth whitening services if you need them.

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7 Tips for Maintaining a Brighter Smile

  • Visit Our Office Regularly: Professional teeth cleanings are key to keeping a healthy and beautiful smile. These services are a deeper clean that prevents bacteria from building up and deters stains. 
  • Use a Straw: If you drink liquids that could stain your teeth, such as coffee or soda, using a straw can keep the fluids from sitting on the teeth and causing stains. 
  • Brush and Floss Consistently: While brushing and flossing can’t prevent all discoloration or stains, they still play a role in the shade of your teeth. Doing so is also essential for your dental health. Remember to brush twice per day and floss at least once. 
  • Limit Staining Food and Drink: While you don’t have to completely cut out consumables that could stain your teeth, limiting or consuming them carefully can protect your smile. 
    Rinse with Water: If you consume food or drink that could stain your teeth, try rinsing your mouth with water between bites or after the meal.
  • Avoid Tobacco Products: Because consuming tobacco is so bad for your dental and overall health, avoid smoking or chewing tobacco. If you need help quitting, contact your healthcare provider.
  • Protect Your Teeth From Trauma: While you can’t always prevent emergencies, you can keep your teeth safer by using mouthguards for sports guards. If you play contact sports of any kind, a mouth guard can help deter trauma that could cause stains. 

Still have questions about how to keep your smile beautiful and bright? Dr. Vakilian and the Dental Solutions of Encinitas team can help with cosmetic dentistry services.

Teeth whitening treatments are a safe cosmetic option for adults of all ages; though candidates should be in good oral health and free from gum disease or tooth decay. If you have sensitive teeth, let Dr. Vakilian know. She can recommend a customized treatment plan that will allow you to enjoy a whiter smile. 

Candidates for professional teeth whitening have mild to moderate surface (extrinsic) stains. Intrinsic stains will not respond to teeth whitening. If you have severe enamel discoloration, you may be a better candidate for porcelain veneers or cosmetic bonding.

A Brighter Smile Is a Call Away

A bright smile can leave you looking younger and feeling more confident. You can trust that your dental needs will be met thanks to your friends at Dental Solutions of Encinitas because your smile is our passion.

With in-office and at-home teeth whitening available, you can find the right services that fit your smile needs and your budget. Dr. Vakilian will create a customized cosmetic dentistry plan just for you because you deserve it and love how your smile looks and feels. 

No need to wait to get the sparkling smile you’ve always wanted. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.