sProfessional Teeth Whitening in Green Valley/ Sahuarita

Tooth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedure, and Desert Villa Dental is proud to provide this service to families living in the Green Valley and Sahuarita areas. Dr Wa Chao has decades of experience in every manner of dentistry. He’s ready to provide patients with a brighter, whiter smile in just a single appointment.

Teeth whitening procedures start with a thorough professional cleaning and finish off with a treatment that will transform your smile in real time. Are you ready to show off your new pearly whites?

Why Do Teeth Turn Yellow?

Lots of factors can contribute to the discoloration of teeth. Everyone will experience some degree of tooth discoloration throughout the course of their life. Even though a slight yellowing of the teeth is natural, many people would prefer to get their teeth as close to white as they can.

Your Diet

Some of the most delicious foods and drinks you enjoy on a regular basis quickly stain your teeth. Coffee is a huge culprit in contributing to tooth stains. Tea and red wine are just as guilty. The pigments that lend these drinks their colors are strong enough to stain. If you’ve ever had to take a coffee or wine stain out of a white blouse or a tan carpet, you understand their staying power.

Smoking

Tar and nicotine work together to leave behind yellow stains on everything they touch, from your fingernails to your teeth. These stains are an eyesore, but they’re far from the worst side effect of smoking. You’d do well to quit using tobacco.

Some Medications

Certain medications, as well as chemotherapy radiation, can lead to tooth darkening. Children who are exposed to some antibiotics before their adult teeth emerge, including while they’re in the womb, may experience yellow teeth from the moment they erupt.

The Progression of Time

Below your enamel is a layer of a softer material called dentin. With time and frequent brushing, the enamel can slowly erode away. As it thins, the yellow toned dentin begins to shine through. Some people find that their teeth simply appear more yellow due to this natural process. It doesn’t mean you didn’t take care of your teeth.

Injury Response

Enamel is the hardest substance the human body can produce. It’s even harder than bone. Dentin, the layer below the enamel, is much softer. Your body can manufacture more dentin if it needs to. If your mouth has been injured and that injury impacted your dentin, your body can lay down more. Dentin, unlike enamel, is naturally yellow in color. Newer dentin can usually be seen through the enamel, giving the appearance of yellowed teeth.

How Are Teeth Whitened?

Teeth are whitened using highly concentrated peroxides, like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These peroxides act like bleaches. They penetrate the tooth enamel and break up the stains on the dentin, diffusing them and lightening their appearance.

Take home bleaching methods are completely non-invasive. It’s the easiest and most painless of all cosmetic dentistry treatments. Take home bleach kits require a 1/2hr appointment to have a bleach tray made. Once the tray is made, a patient takes home the material and follow the dentist’s instruction on how to use it. It can be done in the convenience of your own home.

Bleach may not work on all stains, and this is something you need to keep in mind before you observe your final results. Severe staining, particularly if the stains have penetrated your teeth for years, may never completely lift. This is rarely the case, but when it occurs, you’ll need to utilize alternative whitening options. Veneers may be a better option for people with heavy stains. We’ll give you more information at your appointment.

How Can I Whiten My Teeth Naturally?

Brushing, flossing, and using mouth wash will gently whiten your teeth, but it may not remove heavy surface stains. Proper oral hygiene and the adequate management of oral bacteria are necessary for the health of your mouth. Avoiding tobacco and limiting your consumption of acidic foods and foods that may stain your teeth will work to prevent worsening of surface stains.

You may have read online that mixtures of turmeric and coconut oil can whiten teeth. This is simply not true. Turmeric is a golden spice that is used to dye things yellow. If you’re looking for a whiter smile, applying yellow dye to your teeth will inevitably have the opposite effect. It’s best to avoid toothpastes or preparations that haven’t been endorsed by the American Dental Association.

Do Store Bought Whitening Products Work?

A stroll through the grocery store’s oral care aisle will show you whitening pastes, mouthwashes, strips, gels, pens, and light kits. Each of these products promises to deliver whiter teeth after a week or so of use. Some kits recommend using the products twice a day for two weeks before the full result is achieved.

Store bought whitening products contain the same peroxide ingredients that professional treatments do, but at much lower concentrations. They penetrate your enamel in the same way, attempting to reach the dentin and remove or reduce discoloration. Since you have to use them continuously, some of these products are needed twice daily for weeks.

These over-the-counter whitening products are required to use far smaller concentrations of peroxide than those used by a dental professional. Many people find that they do not notice any significant difference after using these products for the full duration because the peroxide simply isn’t powerful enough to make a difference. It is, however, powerful enough to cause tooth sensitivity.

Whitening toothpastes that don’t contain peroxide might contain baking soda. These toothpastes are highly abrasive, promising to scrub the stains off your teeth. This leaves your tooth’s dentin permanently exposed and highly sensitive, and prone to stain again. It is best to consult with your dentist before starting over-the-counter whitening treatment.

Can Everyone Get Their Teeth Whitened?

Teeth that are yellow but otherwise healthy tend to whiten the easiest. Teeth with brown stains may not show a significant difference after a whitening treatment. Teeth with a grayish hue may not show any difference after a bleaching treatment.

Not everyone will be a candidate for teeth whitening. People with significantly damaged tooth enamel, gum disease, or advanced tooth decay will find that whitening treatments do more harm than good. Tooth whitening is a cosmetic treatment. You need to be sure that there aren’t any medical treatments that would be a greater priority.

Before you pursue tooth whitening treatments, you need to be sure that your teeth and gums are in great health. If you need to have an infection cured, if you require a root canal procedure, or if you need treatment for gingivitis, these things come first. When your dentist feels as though your mouth is healthy enough for whitening treatments, then you can proceed.

If you need a crown, cap, bridge, or dental implant, it’s best to whiten your teeth before that procedure. Tooth colored resin doesn’t respond to whitening treatments like natural teeth do. The tooth resin in your mouth will remain darker than the rest of your teeth, and you’ll lose the illusion of a complete natural tooth. Get your whitening treatment first.

If your enamel is too damaged for whitening treatments, nothing can be done to restore that enamel. Damaged enamel leads to severe tooth decay and sensitivity. If you’re already at the point of no return, veneers, dentures, or dental implants may be a better option for you. Repairing and restoring your teeth is more likely to give you the results you need.

Are There Any Side Effects of Teeth Whitening?

Most people report tooth sensitivity following a whitening treatment. This sensitivity will go away after a few hours to a few days. Eating soft, room temperature foods and room temperature beverages can avoid exacerbating this sensitivity. So can staying out of cold environments, like opening the large freezer doors at the grocery store. That burst of cold air may not feel pleasant on newly whitened teeth.

Fluoride treatments and remineralizing toothpastes can help the side effects dissipate sooner. They can work to help repair your enamel and strengthen your teeth, stopping sensitivity while helping to repair your teeth. These are good practices to implement whether or not you decide to have your teeth professionally whitened.

How Long Does It Take to See Results?

You’ll see results from your first whitening treatment in about 1-2 weeks. It take time for the whitening effect to show. Some people may need more than one treatment to achieve their goals. Others may require lesser concentrations of bleaching agent and more treatments to safely achieve their goals. The process can be personalized to suit your unique needs.

How Do I Avoid Fake Looking White Teeth?

People sometimes fear a “too white” appearance, as a shade of perfect white is a dead giveaway that you’ve had your teeth professionally whitened. Everyone wants perfect white teeth, but they don’t want people to know they achieved their smile through artificial means.

Your secret is safe with us. If you’re seeking a subtle improvement that will leave your teeth looking naturally perfect, your teeth can be gradually whitened. We’ll match the current shade of your teeth to a tooth shaped swatch. You will be able to show your dentist your desired shade of white. After your whitening treatment, your teeth can be compared to both your former shade and your desired shade. When you feel like you have reached your desired level of whiteness, you can stop before it gets out of hand.

This gradual whitening can be achieved in office or with a special take home kit that will allow you to whiten your teeth at your own discretion. Your dentist will speak to you about your available options.

Are You Ready to Get Started?

Dessert Villa Dental provides tooth whitening and other cosmetic dentistry procedures to families living in Green Valley, Sahuarita and Tucson areas. We offer a wide variety of tooth whitening and restoration procedures to give you a healthy, bright smile. You can book an appointment with us online or by phone at 520-399-2700 when you’re ready for your new set of pearly whites.