Teeth Whitening Specialist

Why do I need teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is a procedure of choice for many people who like the shape and size of their teeth but would prefer a whiter and brighter smile. It’s a purely cosmetic procedure intended to help you look your best without altering the structure or positioning of your teeth.

Stains and discoloration accumulate on your teeth over time naturally, but can be worsened by:

• Drinking coffee
• Drinking red wine
• Eating berries
• Smoking or chewing tobacco

Discoloration also appears as the result of some medications or trauma to your teeth. However, these types of discoloration often don’t respond to teeth whitening treatments.

How does teeth whitening work?

Greder Dental offers two types of teeth whitening: at-home and in-office. The dentists most often recommend at-home whitening kits with professional-strength whitening products. Using precise impressions of your teeth, your dentist creates custom trays that you fill with the bleaching products. You may take the kits home and use them at your leisure.

Your Greder Dental dentist discusses the strength of the bleaching product with you and advises you how long to wear your tray. Some products need to be on your teeth for only about 30 minutes: enough time to get through a single TV episode. Other products are low-strength and need to rest on your teeth while you sleep.

The product contains hydrogen peroxide, a bleaching component that whitens just about anything. The trays are designed to confine the product to your teeth and keep it from seeping out onto your gums. 

Am I a good candidate for a teeth whitening procedure?

Teeth whitening promises many benefits, the most notable being an improvement in your appearance and the resulting boost in confidence. However, the procedure isn’t a great option for everyone. Your Greder Dental dentist might point you in the direction of other options if you:

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Are under age 16
• Have periodontal disease
• Have decaying teeth
• Can see the roots of your teeth
• Have multiple dental restorations
• Have gray tooth discoloration from medications or injuries

In many of these cases, you can simply wait it out and get teeth whitening at a more appropriate time. If you can’t simply wait until you’re a candidate for teeth whitening, your dentist might recommend porcelain veneers to physically cover your stained or discolored teeth.

Book your teeth whitening consultation by phone or online at Greder Dental today.