TEETH WHITENING

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Here at A Childrens Dentist, we are proud to offer whitening services to our patients.

The most common complaint people have about their teeth is their color. There are a lot of whitening products on the market, so it is important to discuss your options with your dentist.

There are many things that can affect the color of your teeth. Most people believe discoloration is due to plaque and dirt, but that is not always the case. Teeth may become discolored due to:

  • certain food and drinks
  • medications (tetracycline, etc.)
  • injuries to the tooth or mouth
  • Fluorosis (excessive fluoridation during tooth development).

It is really important for us to understand why your child’s teeth are discolored so that we can find the best way to treat them.

Teeth-whitening products use bleach, either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which breaks up stains into smaller pieces. This makes them harder to see, making your teeth brighter. However, bleaches do not work on all teeth, so it is important to talk to your dentist before bleaching your child’s teeth.

You also have to understand that whitening will not work on caps, veneers, crowns, or fillings that were originally made to match your child’s natural teeth color. They do not always work on discoloration caused by certain medications.

How It Works

  • At your child’s first appointment, we will make impressions (molds) of his or her teeth and fabricate custom, clear plastic trays.
  • During the second appointment, the trays will be tried on to check for proper fit to see if any adjustments will be necessary. For approximately 2 weeks (depending on the degree of staining and the preferred level of whitening), your child will use the trays either twice a day for 30 minutes or overnight.

There are times when the bleach in the product can affect your enamel. This irritates the nerves, making your teeth really sensitive. This usually goes away, but if you overuse whiteners, they can cause lasting damage, so if you are having any problems, you need to see your dentist.

There are many options when it comes to whitening methods, including toothpastes, at-home bleaching, and bleaching in our office. Each one works differently and varies in effectiveness and safety. For this reason, you should talk to us before you decide to bleach your teeth.

If you have any questions about teeth whitening, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (702) 255-0133.