Teeth Whitening 101 Candidates Procedures and Maintenance

September 01, 2023, Jordan and Pham Dentistry

Over time, your teeth can become stained and discolored from factors like food and drinks, smoking, medications, aging, and trauma. While avoiding stains can be challenging, today's teeth whitening procedures can help you achieve a brighter, more vibrant smile. Read on to learn more about who's a good candidate for teeth whitening and what the process entails.

What Causes Teeth to Become Stained?

To understand what makes you a good candidate for teeth whitening, it helps to first look at what causes stains and discoloration:
Food and Drinks: Dark-pigmented foods like berries, tomato sauce, and curries can stain teeth over time, as can drinks like coffee, tea, soda, and red wine. The tannins, acids, and pigments stick to the enamel and cause discoloration.
Tobacco Use: The tar and nicotine in tobacco products bond to enamel, causing yellowish-to-brown stains that can penetrate deep into teeth. Both smoking and chewing tobacco or dip can cause significant discoloration.
Medications: Certain antibiotics, antihistamines, antipsychotics, and blood pressure medications may have ingredients that interact with dental enamel and change its color. Young children taking these meds may get discolored permanent teeth.
Aging: As you age, the inner dentin layer under the enamel darkens and becomes more visible through thinning enamel. This natural yellowing causes teeth to appear darker.
Trauma/Injury: Any damage to the enamel from chips, cracks, or dental procedures can expose the yellowish dentin and lead to discoloration.

Good Candidates for Professional Whitening

If your teeth have become stained or yellowed from any of the causes above, you're likely a great candidate for professional whitening. Ideal candidates have:
Mild to moderate staining and discoloration
No current decay or oral health issues
Realistic expectations about the levels of whitening possible
Professional whitening can lighten many types of enamel staining, with some types requiring more treatments. Very dark stains may not fully whiten. Your cosmetic dentist can best assess if your particular stains are amendable to whitening.

The Teeth Whitening Process

When you come in for a whitening appointment, we will determine the exact treatment to lift your stains for a brighter smile.
Consultation: We'll assess your oral health, causes of staining, and expectations. We'll also take impressions of your teeth.
Custom Trays: We'll make custom-fitted whitening trays from the impressions to ensure the whitening gel contacts all tooth surfaces.
Whitening Gel Application: We'll show you how to properly apply the whitening gel to the trays at home. Carbamide peroxide is typically used.
Treatment Time: You'll wear the trays for a specified period of time per day at home. Total treatment time is usually 1-2 weeks depending on desired whiteness.
Maintenance: We'll advise you on how to avoid restaining and may recommend periodic touch-up whitening. Avoiding dark foods and drinks right after whitening helps prevent restaining.

Professional vs. Over-the-Counter Whitening

Professionally supervised whitening is always the safest and most effective. Over-the-counter gels and strips often contain higher peroxide concentrations that can damage enamel and gums. The custom trays we provide better fit your teeth to avoid irritation. And we can whiten to your desired shade.
If you want to safely lift years of discoloration for a bright, beautiful smile, contact our Rancho Santa Margarita dental office to learn more about our professional whitening. Improving your smile boosts confidence! Jordan and Pham Dentistry also provide teeth whitening services in Mission Viejo, Coto de Caza, and surrounding communities.

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