Questions about Tooth Whitening

Why are my teeth discolored?

When our teeth first erupt they are a bright white, but over time they can become discolored. This can be due to food stains, beverages, and habits like smoking. They can also yellow as a result of thinning enamel. Our inherent tooth color intensifies over time, and can range from yellow to grey. An individual tooth can also become discolored as a result of a trauma to that tooth.

What is tooth whitening?

Tooth whitening, or teeth whitening, is a process for removing stains from tooth enamel. There are many different types of tooth whitening that can be used. The type that is best for you depends on the nature of your stains, your whitening goals, and other factors. At Aesthetic Dentistry of Valencia, we offer three different types of whitening: Zoom!® tooth whitening, BriteSmile, and Deep Bleaching--so you can get the type of whitening that will get you the best results.

What about whitening products I can buy at the store?

It is easy to find a wide variety of whitening products at your local grocery store or pharmacy. However, there are many reasons to consider professional whitening. First, it is good to talk to a dentist to determine whether your tooth discoloration is due to staining or a more serious cause such as decay, injury, or infection of the tooth. Many people also get uneven results from in-store whitening products due to the weaker concentration of whitening compounds, ill-fitting trays, or strips that cling only to the front surface of the teeth.

Is tooth whitening bad for my teeth?

No. Tooth whitening is safe for your teeth. It alters the shade of the enamel, but does not weaken the enamel or tooth structure. Some patients may experience tooth sensitivity or gum irritation, but if that occurs, let us know and we can adjust your treatment.

How white will my teeth get?

If you get an in-office tooth whitening with either Zoom! or BriteSmile, your teeth will be noticeably whiter after your 1 hour whitening session. Exactly how white your teeth get will be limited by:

• The type of stains
• The age of stains
• Your enamel thickness
• Your enamel color

If you desire additional whitening, or to help maintain your results, we also offer custom-made take-home trays that can further improve your whitening or the Deep Bleaching technique which includes in office bleaching and take home trays.

If your whitening results are still not what you desire, porcelain veneers can help you achieve any tooth shade you desire.

How long will my results last?

Over time, your teeth will naturally acquire stains again, perhaps at a faster rate than they initially became stained. However, most people see noticeable results for six months or a year after their tooth whitening session. You can improve the length of your results by utilizing our custom-made whitening trays and also avoiding staining foods and habits such as coffee, tea, chocolate, red wine, chewing tobacco, and smoking. If you have take-home trays, you can use the trays once a month for an hour to maintain the new color of your teeth.

Why should I choose Aesthetic Dentistry of Valencia for my tooth whitening?

At Aesthetic Dentistry of Valencia, you will get personalized recommendations for your tooth whitening treatment based on Dr. Joel Miller's decades of experience treating thousands of patients from Valencia, Santa Clarita, Saugus, Newhall, San Fernando, and elsewhere in the greater Los Angeles area. He will compare your discolored teeth to other cases and recommend the treatment most likely to get the best results for you. He can also help you understand the cause of your discoloration and what you can do to improve your results.

To learn more about tooth whitening from Dr. Miller in person, please call or email Aesthetic Dentistry of Valencia today to schedule your consultation.