What You Can Expect from a Professional Teeth Whitening Treatment
Teeth Whitening can give you the confidence boost you deserve! We know teeth come in a spectrum of colors. Even when brushed to shine, there might still be a persistent yellow tint. Don’t let that hold your self-image back. Let’s give you a smile to smile about.
We offer professional, in-office teeth whitening. We use a system called Opalescence because it has proven to be the best for our clients.
- Results are immediate and can be seen within just an hour! Results can continue to improve for up to 48 hours after the procedure. That is if you listen to our post-procedure care plan, which we will get to shortly.
- Opalescence’s whitening gel works on sensitive teeth. We know many people want whiter teeth but are discouraged by the burning sensation brought on by other whitening methods. Opalescence makes your ideal smile available with minimum pain and discomfort.
- Results can last between 6 to 12 months. Don’t worry; in this blog, we’ll share just how to make teeth whitening last. Opalescence also makes an in-home whitening kit. While it’s not as effective as our professional treatment, it’s perfect for touch-ups!
- Finally, Opalescence is chemically activated, so we don’t need any blinding LED lights. We can also whiten teeth by up to eight shades.
Overall, we find Opalescence to be safe, effective, and comfortable for our clients… But, enough about us.
What can I expect on the day of my teeth whitening treatment?
Preparation.
A clinical assistant will thoroughly clean your teeth. We don't want any plaque to interfere with your perfect smile. We might also photograph your teeth to record the initial shade. We want to blow you away with the before and after pics.
Gum Protection.
While Opalescence is great for sensitive teeth, it can still irritate our gums. So, we apply a protective barrier to shield your gums.
Gel application.
We mix our whitening gel and carefully apply it to your teeth. This gel is left on for around 20 minutes so it can work its magic. Then we remove it.
Treatment cycles.
Depending on how many shades you want, we can reapply the gel, repeating the cycle a few times. Don’t worry; between applications, we will check on you to make sure you’re comfortable.
Post-treatment.
After all that, you rinse your mouth, and we take post-treatment photographs to show you your progress.
Overall, our in-office teeth whitening procedure takes an average of 40 minutes, sometimes an hour.
What should I do after my in-office teeth whitening treatment?
We personally recommend relaxing. But professionally, we urge you to stay away from certain staining foods for 48 to 72 hours afterward. You can gradually reintroduce these foods after the first few days. It’s best to continue avoiding pigmented foods for at least a week for optimal results.
Foods to avoid after your teeth have been professionally whitened:
- Coffee & Tea
- Red Wine
- Soft drinks
- Carrots
- Tomatoes
- BBQ Sauce
- Texas Pete
- Red Wine Vinegar
- Soy Sauce
- Blueberries
- Beets
- Curry
We enjoy these foods as much as the next person. Eating them after your teeth whitening treatment can reduce the effectiveness of your treatment.
Foods that are safe to eat after your professional teeth whitening treatment.
There are plenty of meats, grains, starches, fruits, and vegetables you can eat afterward.
- Skinless chicken or turkey
- White fish (cod, pollock, haddock)
- Egg whites
- White rice
- Plain pasta
- White bread (without crust)
- Potatoes
- Bananas
- Pears
- Apples
- Cauliflower
- Mushrooms
How can I keep my teeth whitening results for as long as possible?
The best thing you can do is maintain good oral habits. Regular brushing and flossing— all the stuff you’re used to dentists saying. We might also recommend limiting the amount of staining foods you eat, like coffee and red wine. But brushing and flossing will do the most for your longevity.
Smoking cigarettes also seriously discolor your teeth, so avoid smoking if you don’t already have a reason to do so.
A one-hour appointment once a year is a pretty minimal time commitment for confidence-boosting teeth.
Ready to show off your best smile?
What’s holding you back from your ideal smile? Sensitive teeth? Too little time? Or just a love for red wine? Schedule a consultation so we can help you achieve your perfect smile.
