Teeth Whitening – Springfield, IL

What’s the Difference Between Store-Bought Products and Professional Whitening Treatments?

It is natural to try over-the-counter whitening products to turn back the hands of time. Although they are convenient, you will not get the results you want because they do not contain professional-strength whitening agents. As a result, they only temporarily improve surface stains. Our treatments, on the other hand, begin with an in-depth consultation, utilize powerful (and safe!) brightening gels, and are customized to suit your unique dental needs and smile goals.

Is There Anything I Shouldn’t Eat After Whitening My Teeth?

Yes, you shouldn’t eat anything that could cause stubborn stains to resurface. A few examples include raspberry jelly, dark chocolate, marinara sauce, and soy sauce. Instead, focus on incorporating light-colored foods into your diet, like plain yogurt, cottage cheese, white fish, egg whites, and oatmeal.

Is There Anyone Who Isn’t a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

There are some patients who aren’t candidates for teeth whitening – at least not initially. For example, if you have an active infection in your gums or one of your teeth has a large cavity, then we will need to provide the necessary restorative care before we can focus on lifting stubborn stains. That way, the final result is a smile that’s as healthy as it is beautiful!

Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?

You might worry that teeth whitening might cause aches or inflammation, but that’s usually not the case. However, some patients experience discomfort if they apply a topical treatment over pre-existing issues, such as cavities or gum disease.

Our team in Springfield helps avoid this by examining your mouth and treating any areas of concern, like thinning enamel or swollen gums, before providing your customized take-home teeth whitening kit. Then, you might experience temporary sensitivity after treatment, but this is a temporary side effect. It occurs when the bleach expands the microscopic pores of your enamel, allowing sensations to travel more easily to the roots.

Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?

Teeth whitening can help remove stains to lighten your smile and boost your confidence, but it’s not a permanent solution. Usually, you can expect the results of your recent enhancement to last anywhere from several months to a couple of years, but you will probably require periodic touch-ups to maintain the perfect hue. Also, keeping your mouth clean and avoiding darkly pigmented foods can help avoid additional discoloration.

How Can I Help The Results Last Longer?

Thankfully, there are several things you can do to keep your smile looking brighter for longer. For instance, brushing and flossing your teeth and gums twice daily removes plaque and bacteria that give deeply pigmented particles a sticky residue to cling to. Consistently cleaning your mouth can also potentially remove more recent surface stains, especially if you’re using a whitening toothpaste.

You may also want to schedule a checkup and cleaning with our team in Springfield every six months. This allows us to monitor your dental health to catch and treat any issues before they can progress as well as professionally polish your teeth to a beautiful shine.

How Long Does Teeth Whitening Treatment Take?

Are you curious how long it takes before you start to see changes from teeth whitening? Our team provides everything you need to achieve top-quality results from the comfort of your home, including custom-fitted applicator trays to reduce the likelihood of any errors, along with ultra-concentrated gels designed to mitigate potential sensitivity.

This service gradually brightens your enamel rather than providing instantaneous results, and you can usually expect to see lighter enamel after a week or two. If you’re struggling to achieve the desired shade, you might require repeated treatments or a different cosmetic service, such as placing porcelain veneers.