Teeth Whitening – Ellicott City, MD
Making Your Pearly Whites Live Up to Their Name
Did you recently catch a glimpse of your smile in the reflection and notice your teeth look more yellow than white? Maybe you’ve been considering a teeth whitening treatment for a while now because you’re sick of wasting your time and money on over-the-counter kits. Either way, the next step is simple: schedule a consultation with us. With our in-office and take-home whitening treatments, we can blast away stubborn stains and give you a gorgeous new look!
Why Choose Ellicott City Smiles for Teeth Whitening?
- Top-Rated Dental Team on Google
- Flexible Financing Available
- Open Five Days a Week
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Since professional whitening treatments can lift stains from frequent coffee consumption, the natural aging process, and even tobacco use, the vast majority of patients are candidates! So, if you aren’t happy with your smile because your pearly whites aren’t quite living up to their name, don’t hesitate to reach out to our cosmetic dentist. From there, we can complete a comprehensive oral exam, learn more about your smile goals, and determine if teeth whitening is the best option for you.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Our team at Ellicott City Smiles is proud to offer both in-office and take-home teeth whitening treatments. If you aren’t sure which one is ideal for you, don’t worry – we will help you decide at your consultation. You can also read on to learn more about the benefits of each!
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Of course, one of the biggest benefits is in the name: you can whiten your teeth from the comfort of your own home! If we decide that this is the best option for you, then we will provide you with everything you need, including the application trays and professional-grade whitening gel. We’ll also give you detailed instructions on how often to use them so that you get the gorgeous results you desire.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
In-office treatments are extremely popular because they deliver results in just about an hour. In fact, we can sometimes lighten teeth up to eight shades in a single visit! So, if you have a vacation, a wedding, or another important event that you want a bright, beautiful smile for, this might be the ideal solution for you.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Of course, the last thing you want is for pigmented, yellow stains to resurface. Fortunately, there are several ways you can prevent that from happening, including:
- Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash consistently
- Using a straw when drinking coffee, red wine, soda, and the like
- Eating light-colored foods, like white fish, cottage cheese, and plain yogurt
- Getting touch-up whitening treatments as needed
- Scheduling a dental cleaning every six months
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Many patients in Ellicott City worry that their dental work might hurt, even if they’re undergoing elective procedures intended to enhance their appearance. Thankfully, teeth whitening is considered a non-invasive treatment because there’s no need for needles or numbing.
However, the bleach that lightens your teeth expands the microscopic pores in your enamel, allowing sensations to travel more readily into the tender roots inside. This can cause temporary sensitivity, especially when eating anything overly hot or cold, for a few days. You can usually safely reduce tenderness with over-the-counter pain medications, such as Tylenol or ibuprofen.
How Are Store-Bought Whitening Products Different from Professional Services?
Are you curious why you should invest in professional services with our team when there are cheaper options available at the local corner store? Although many commercial-grade products claim to be able to lighten your grin, many of them contain more diluted bleaching agents that aren’t overly effective. They also rely on one-size-fits-all applicator trays or strips that leave plenty of room for error. It’s easy to overapply the harsh chemicals or get it on your gums, which can cause inflammation and tenderness.
Meanwhile, our team utilizes ultra-concentrated gels designed to mitigate potential sensitivity along with custom-fitted trays for an optimal outcome.
Am I A Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Potentially, anyone unhappy with the shade of their smile when they see it in the mirror can benefit from our professional teeth whitening services. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s the right solution to meet everyone’s individual needs.
For instance, extrinsic stains in your enamel from consuming darkly pigmented foods are more likely to respond to topical bleach than deeply seated intrinsic blemishes in the lower layer of dentin. The latter might require a different procedure, like direct bonding or porcelain veneers. After our team examines your mouth and discusses your smile goals, we can devise an appropriate treatment plan to help you achieve them.
How Can I Make My Teeth Whitening Results Last?
Once you finally achieve your dream shade, it’s only natural to want to do everything you can to preserve the beautiful new hue. Thankfully, there are things you can do to extend the longevity of your results, including:
- Watching what you eat. Avoiding darkly pigmented foods and drinks, like coffee, tea, wine, and berries, can prevent your enamel from becoming discolored again.
- Implementing a routine. You should brush and floss twice daily at home to remove plaque and bacteria that give deeply toned particles something to cling to.
- Scheduling follow-ups. You might need periodic retreatments to maintain just-the-right color. Also, having a checkup and cleaning every six months helps remove more recent surface stains from your smile.