What Is the Best Way to Whiten Your Teeth?

At Bridget Singh, DDS, we understand the power of a white, bright, and beautiful smile. We are pleased to offer a range of cosmetic dentistry solutions, including professional teeth whitening, to lift stains and discoloration and reveal a smile several shades whiter and brighter. We look forward to helping you restore your smile’s sparkle.  

How Do Teeth Become Stained and Discolored?

As the years go by, consuming foods and beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, and berries, combined with lifestyle choices like smoking, can leave you with teeth staining and discoloration. Moreover, the natural aging process can gradually cause thinning of the tooth enamel, revealing the underlying dentin that’s naturally yellow in color. Medications and certain illnesses can also lead to internal discoloration. 

The good news is that teeth whitening treatments can lift most stains and discoloration, leaving you with a whiter, brighter smile. 

Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening

Over-the-counter whitening products like peroxide-based strips and trays are popular and accessible options. These products contain milder bleaching agents than those used by dental professionals, and their results are usually less dramatic and take longer to appear. It’s important to be cautious when choosing store-bought whitening products because some may contain harsh chemicals that can harm your teeth and gums. 

Professional In-Office Whitening

Teeth whitening under the care of a dental professional produces the safest and most dramatic results. In-office whitening uses professional-grade bleaching agents to deliver an immediate and noticeable difference and the procedure is tailored to your unique needs.

Here’s a look at what you may expect: 

• Consultation: The process begins with a consultation. Dr. Singh will assess your overall dental health, discuss your goals, and help you determine whether teeth whitening is a good option for you. 
• Preparation: Before the whitening procedure, we will prepare your teeth by cleaning them to remove any plaque or debris. That helps ensure the whitening agent can easily penetrate the enamel or the outer layer of the teeth.
• Application of Whitening Gel: Next is applying a professional-strength whitening gel containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to your tooth surfaces. We may use a special light to activate the bleaching agent, enhancing the whitening process.
• Monitoring and Reapplication: We will monitor the whitening progress throughout your treatment. Depending on the desired level of whiteness, we may reapply the whitening gel multiple times.
• Post-Whitening Care: After treatment, we will provide instructions for post-whitening care. These may include touch-up treatments, limiting dark-colored foods and beverages, and good oral hygiene to prevent new stains from setting.

Are You a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

While teeth whitening is effective for most patients, it may not remove all types of stains. Whitening is highly effective for staining resulting from exposure to dark foods or lifestyle habits like smoking. Deeply set intrinsic stains and discoloration due to certain medications or tooth trauma might not respond well. In such cases, Dr. Singh may recommend alternative cosmetic dentistry options, like cosmetic bonding, porcelain veneers, or dental crowns.  

Teeth Whitening Near Me in Seattle, WA

If you’d like to learn more about whitening and brightening your smile, visit Bridget Singh, DDS, in Seattle, WA. Dr. Singh will recommend the ideal teeth whitening option to deliver a dazzling smile. We invite you to schedule a consultation by using this link or by calling our office at 206-399-3775.