How Does Teeth Whitening Work in a Dental Office?

Teeth whitening is one of the most accessible investments in your smile. When you whiten your teeth, you will want to share your smile with others and create an excellent first impression.

In-office teeth whitening is an efficient way to brighten your smile. The process generally takes only one appointment, and you will leave your dentist's office with brilliant yet natural-looking teeth.

How In-Office Teeth Whitening Works

Consultation

You will talk with your dentist and share your expectations for the process. They will help you choose a final shade that will look healthy and bright without appearing unnatural.

Protecting Your Mouth

Your dentist will use comfortable plastic appliances called retractors to protect your lips during application. You will likely receive a protective coating on your gums. Without this step, you may experience excess sensitivity after whitening.

Gel Application

Your practitioner applies the whitening gel to your teeth. Professional teeth whitening gel contains a safe but potent bleaching agent called carbamide peroxide. Carbamide peroxide enters the pores in your tooth enamel and oxidizes stains. The gel stays on for about 15 minutes at a time.

Rinsing and Reapplication

Your practitioner will rinse the gel from your teeth and gums. They may reapply the gel thrice per visit, rinsing each time.

Fluoride Treatment

After whitening, you will receive a specialized fluoride treatment to help seal the pores in your enamel and reduce sensitivity.

After just one hour in the office, you will have a brilliant smile. To prolong the effects, take good care of your teeth after whitening.

In-Office Vs. At-Home Whitening

In-office and at-home whitening are excellent choices for patients who want a more vivid smile. At-home whitening involves making a custom tray for you to wear as your dentist recommends. At-home whitening provides more gradual results and may be a good choice for patients who want to ease into a brighter smile.

How to Keep Your Whitened Teeth Looking Great

Avoid intensely pigmented food and beverages for the first 48 hours after your treatment. In addition to dark-colored food and drinks, avoid anything acidic, like pickles and citrus.

After 48 hours, you can return to your regular diet. However, continue to watch out for darkly colored and acidic foods. After consuming these foods, rinse your teeth with water. Wait at least 30 minutes to brush your teeth, especially when eating sugary or acidic foods that can temporarily weaken the enamel.

Frequently Asked Questions About Teeth Whitening

What should I do if I have sensitive teeth?

In the past, patients with sensitive teeth have been discouraged from teeth whitening, but today, your dentist can adapt the process to keep you as comfortable as possible. After your whitening session:

Drink plenty of water to rehydrate your teeth.
Use a remineralizing gel to harden your enamel.
Always use an approved fluoride toothpaste.

Is teeth whitening safe?

Teeth whitening is safe when properly supervised. However, strong whitening products without dental supervision can cause gum burns and severely sensitive teeth.

Call Davis Gribble Hollowwa Dental

Brightening your smile can be as quick and easy as making one dental visit. Please call our Albuquerque, NM, office at 505-898-1976 to schedule teeth whitening today.

How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost in Albuquerque, NM?

There are many things that we encounter throughout life that can cause teeth to become stained and discolored, such as certain foods and beverages, medications, poor dental hygiene, genetics, and more.

The good news is that cosmetic dental procedures - especially teeth whitening - can remove the staining and leave you with a beautiful white smile.

Why Invest In Teeth Whitening?

More and more patients are turning to professional teeth whitening treatments to regain those pearly whites. And when they do so, they find that they are met with additional benefits, too, including:

Boost in confidence
Enhanced appearance
Safe procedure
Even, thorough whitening
Increased oral health
Fast and dramatic results

Taking the step can not only make you feel good about your outward appearance but your overall health and well-being will benefit, too.

Types of Teeth Whitening

All teeth whitening treatments are not created equal. In fact, there are different options to choose from, depending on your need and preference. The most common treatments include:

Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening. Store-bought teeth whitening kits can be found in nearly any retail store that sells oral healthcare products. They are quite affordable and may give you some whitening results - though often not as dramatic as other options. It is also important to note that it often takes longer to see the results with this option.

At-Home Teeth Whitening. Customized whitening kits can be provided by your dentist for use at home. They contain a mouthguard designed for an impression of your teeth and hold the whitening gel against them. Your dentist will let you know just how long it needs to be worn to achieve your desired results.

In-Office Teeth Whitening. Getting your teeth whitened professionally in your dentist’s office is the fastest, most-effective way of brightening your teeth. The procedure is handled by a dental professional and will allow you to leave teeth many shades whiter in just one visit.

Cost of Teeth Whitening in Albuquerque, NM

When it comes to the cost of teeth whitening, there are a few things you need to take into consideration, including factors such as:

The type of treatment you prefer, whether that is in-office at-home, or over-the-counter
The brand of the treatment matters. Each dental office will have a different brand that they will use for their whitening treatments - and it will play a role in determining the cost
Where you live matters since the cost of living may impact the cost of the procedure
The dental team you choose as each dental office sets their own costs

With these things in mind, what can you expect to pay?

On average, you can expect to pay between $300 and $1000 for professional teeth whitening in Albuquerque, NM. While over-the-counter may be more affordable, it is important to remember that they are not likely to give you the results you are trying to reach.

To get an idea of what you can expect to pay, make an appointment with your dentist for an estimate of what it is going to cost

Albuquerque Teeth Whitening

Are you interested in getting your teeth whitened? Whether you are looking for in-office or at-home bleaching, the dental professionals at Davis Gribble Hollowwa Dental can help. We offer whitening treatments that will give you the results you want.

To learn more or schedule your appointment, contact us today at 505-898-1976.

The Risks Associated with DIY Teeth Whitening

DIY teeth whitening tips and tricks have been passed around for years. And now, with the help of social media, they seem to be growing in popularity. Since very few people have a naturally bright white smile, yet everyone wants one - more and more people are giving DIY teeth whitening a try.

Whether it is to save money or time - or just to try something simple or natural - these whitening methods can come with some serious risks.

What is DIY Teeth Whitening?

For those looking for fast, professional results that get teeth many shades whiter in one visit, your dentist provides professional teeth whitening treatments. Still, many forgo this option and search for DIY methods. A quick search on the internet and you will see that people have tried many things that they believe to be the best for whitening teeth, including:

Lemon juice
Oil pulling
Activated charcoal
Peroxide mixed with baking soda
At-home, over-the-counter, teeth whitening kits

Unfortunately, they all come with a bit of risk.

Risks Associated with DIY Teeth Whitening

Before you rush out to grab some coconut oil for oil pulling or slice up that lemon, let’s talk about the dangers involved in these so-called teeth-whitening methods.

Lemon juice. Lemons are highly acidic. And while putting lemon juice in your hair has been known to lighten it, putting it on your teeth can cause irreversible enamel damage.

Over-the-counter teeth whitening kits. You can go to the oral healthcare aisle in just about any store that has one and you will find toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash - and teeth whitening treatments. Although they may not give you the results you are looking for as quickly as you’d like, these are effective in their own way. The risk? They can lead to spotty, uneven whitening, as well as leave gums irritated and teeth sensitive.

Activated charcoal. Activated charcoal may be good at removing stains, but it is much too abrasive. As a result, it can actually be doing more harm than good.

Oil-Pulling. There are no serious dangers associated with oil pulling except that it doesn’t have any evidence supporting its claim to whiten teeth. If done regularly, it can lead to some jaw soreness. And, if swallowed, the oil used can cause an upset stomach.

Peroxide mixed with baking soda. It makes sense to use this as peroxide is known to act as a whitening agent. However, placing this mixture on your teeth can damage the enamel and cause a great amount of irritation with the gums.

The Professional Teeth Whitening Difference

The best thing you can do to ensure the safety of your oral health while achieving noticeable whitening results is to visit your dentist. They offer in-office and at-home professional teeth whitening treatments that are both safe and highly effective.

These products often use a stronger bleaching agent than you would find in the over-the-counter options. But, because they are used under the supervision of a dental professional, they are much safer with much less risk.

Professional Teeth Whitening in Albuquerque

If you are interested in teeth whitening treatments, stay away from DIY treatments and opt for professional whitening instead. To learn more, the dental team at Davis, Gribble, Hollowwa Dental can help.
Contact us today at 505-898-1976. Or, request an appointment online.

Teeth Whitening at Home vs Teeth Whitening in Dentist Office

Although most people do not have a smile full of pearly whites, they do have the option of a teeth whitening treatment. This will allow many stains and discolorations to be easily removed from the teeth, returning them to a beautiful, bright shade of white.

Most patients find themselves confused about which type of treatment they should choose to get the best results. Teeth whitening at home? Teeth whitening in the dentist’s office?

Let’s take a look at both so you can opt for the one that is right for you.

What Causes Stained and Discolored Teeth?

No one is born with a stained tooth. Instead, these stains are caused by many factors that we may or may not be able to control. For instance, the most common reasons for stained or discolored teeth include:

Poor dental hygiene
Age
Genetics
Certain illnesses, including celiac disease, liver disease, eating disorders, etc.
Certain medications, including chemo, radiation, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, antihistamines, and more.
Foods such as those that are brightly colored like tomatoes, beets, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, etc.
Beverages such as coffee, red wine, tea, soda, certain juices, etc.
Tobacco use, both chewing and smoking
Dental trauma

The Impact of Teeth Whitening

There are many advantages that you will enjoy when you invest in professional teeth whitening.

Enhanced smile - and improved overall appearance
A boost in confidence
Better oral health
Fast, reliable results

Simply put, when you feel good about your smile you are more willing to show it. And this may even increase your quality of life.

At-Home Teeth Whitening

An at-home teeth whitening treatment from your dentist will often require an office visit to set up your personalized mouth guard. See, these treatments use a strong whitening agent known as carbide peroxide and, to get the most effective and even results, you will need something to hold the gel in place against your teeth.

It should be noted that at-home teeth whitening is done under the care of a dental professional, but not in the presence of one. Therefore, they are not as strong as in-office treatments, requiring anywhere from hours to weeks to see the results you are looking for. This does not make this type of treatment less effective, but it does take longer.

Teeth Whitening in the Dentist’s Office

Teeth whitening in your dentist’s office is the ideal option for those who are looking for fast results they can count on. Under the supervision of a dental professional, a barrier is used to protect the gums while the whitening agent is applied to the teeth. Then, a special light is used to give the treatment a kickstart.

In-office teeth whitening is often completed in one visit - with remarkable results.

Best Option For Teeth Whitening?

Both in-office and at-home professional whitening treatments work well and give you a whiter smile. Deciding which is best for you is something to discuss with your dentist.

Teeth Whitening at Davis Gribble Hollowwa Dental

At Davis Gribble Hollowwa Dental, we prefer to give our patients options - even when it comes to teeth whitening treatments. Both at-home and in-office teeth whitening options are available and can be highly effective when used under the care and direction of our office. We do everything we can to ensure that you have a smile you feel good about.
To learn more or to get started, contact us today at 505-898-1976. Or, request an appointment online.

How to Navigate Teeth Whitening for Sensitive Teeth

Teeth whitening is safe and effective, and a terrific cosmetic treatment to brighten your smile. But, it can cause some sensitivity after treatment. While this is only temporary, it can cause a bit of discomfort at least for the first days following the whitening procedure.

So, with that in mind, there are ways to navigate the whitening process to minimize sensitivity and discomfort even if you have sensitive teeth.

What Causes Sensitivity After Teeth Whitening?

Sensitivity to teeth whitening can occur for a variety of reasons. First of all, whitening gels used can make the enamel on your teeth more permeable, which exposes the softer dentin layer containing nerves located in your teeth.

Brushing your teeth after whitening instead of before the process, as recommended, can reopen pores in the teeth and cause more sensitivity.

And, some whitening trays used can put force on your teeth that makes them temporarily sensitive, as well.

Finally, the bleaching gels themselves that are used for teeth whitening can cause sensitivity or irritation if they make contact with your gums.

Tips to Prevent Sensitivity to Your Teeth Whitening Treatment

You can take some measures to minimize sensitivity to teeth whitening and reduce any discomfort.

Brush your teeth using a desensitizing toothpaste starting about 10 days prior to your whitening treatment. This type of toothpaste helps to block pain signals from your tooth surface to the inner nerve.

Brushing your teeth before whitening versus after is important so the pores in the teeth don't reopen following whitening, causing more sensitivity.

Use a desensitizing gel before your treatment, being sure to leave the gel on as recommended, then rinsing only with water.

Take pain over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen before your whitening treatment to help minimize sensitivity as well as any discomfort.

Tips to Reduce Sensitivity After Your Teeth Whitening Treatment

After teeth whitening you can also use these tips to reduce or shorten any tooth sensitivity you experience.

Avoid hot and cold foods and drinks and instead choose room temperature foods and beverages.

Avoid acidic foods and drinks like sodas and citrus that can cause irritation in your mouth and increase sensitivity.

Continue to use a desensitizing toothpaste for the first several days after your whitening and citrus fruits can irritate your mouth, increasing the sensitivity you experience.

Brush your teeth gently using a soft toothbrush

Help to remineralize your teeth as well as blocking any pain signals to your oral nerves by using toothpicks or mouthwashes that contain fluoride.

Drink through a straw for a few days to prevent liquid making contact with teeth, which will also help minimize any sensitivity or discomfort.

Avoid any over-the-counter whitening products. Professional in-office and at-home teeth whitening treatments are best at minimizing sensitivity, providing careful application, and using whitening trays that fit teeth well, preventing whitening products from coming into contact with and irritating your gums.

Ready to Learn More About Teeth Whitening?

If you’d like to learn more about teeth whitening and how to manage any sensitivity to whitening products that can occur, or if you’d like to schedule a consultation for whitening or other cosmetic dental services, just reach out to us, today!