Do you want to brighten your smile? Teeth whitening is a simple and effective way to remove stains and improve the appearance of your teeth. Cosmetic dentistry makes it easy to enhance your smile with fast, noticeable results. At Ravenwood Dental, Dr. Ariba Memon and our team offer professional teeth whitening options in St. John. IN. Whether your teeth have become discolored due to coffee, tea, wine, smoking, or natural aging, we can help you achieve a whiter and fresher smile that boosts your confidence.
How do Teeth Stains Form?
Tooth stains can be intrinsic or extrinsic. Intrinsic stains are stains that develop inside the tooth, rather than on the surface. Changes in the inner structure of the tooth usually cause these stains. They’re harder to remove with regular brushing or whitening toothpaste.
Extrinsic stains appear on the outside surface of your teeth. Over time, the pigments from what you eat or drink can stick to the enamel, which is the hard outer layer of your teeth, and create a yellow, brown, or even dark-colored tint. Poor brushing and flossing habits can make these stains worse because plaque and tartar trap more of the stain-causing particles.
Your teeth can stain for many reasons. Common causes of tooth stains can include:
- Poor Oral Hygiene: Not brushing and flossing regularly allows plaque and tartar to build up on your teeth. These deposits can trap stains from foods and drinks, making your teeth appear yellow or dull. Over time, poor oral hygiene can also lead to cavities and gum disease, which can further affect the color of your teeth. Keeping a consistent oral care routine helps prevent surface stains and keeps your teeth healthy.
- Smoking: Vaping, smoking cigarettes and chewing tobacco, can cause stubborn brown or yellow stains on your teeth. The nicotine and tar in tobacco stick to the enamel and are very difficult to remove with brushing alone. In addition to staining teeth, smoking can damage gums, increase the risk of oral cancer, and cause bad breath. Quitting or reducing your tobacco use is one of the best ways to protect your smile and overall health.
- Dental Trauma: An injury to a tooth can cause it to darken or develop a grayish color. This happens when blood or nerve tissue inside the tooth is damaged. Even if the tooth looks fine on the outside, trauma can cause discoloration over time. Treatments such as whitening or veneers can help restore the tooth’s natural appearance.
- Medications and Medical Conditions: Certain medications, such as antibiotics like tetracycline, can affect tooth color if taken during tooth development. Some medical conditions can also change the natural shade of your teeth. If staining is caused by medication or health issues, cosmetic or restorative treatments like bonding or veneers may be the best solution.
- Age: As we get older, the outer enamel on teeth naturally wears down, revealing the yellowish dentin underneath. This can make teeth look darker or more stained, even with good oral care. Age-related stains are a normal part of aging, but cosmetic treatments can help. You may need whitening, porcelain veneers, or crowns to get a more youthful smile.
We recommend whitening if you have surface stains. If you have deep stains, we can recommend cosmetic or restorative care. Crowns, veneers, or bonding treatment can benefit you based on the cause of your tooth discoloration.
Why Choose Professional Teeth Whitening?
Over-the-counter whitening products like strips, toothpaste, and gels may offer some results, but they often lack the strength to provide a noticeable and long-lasting change. Professional teeth whitening uses high-quality whitening agents and carefully controlled techniques for better and more even results in a shorter amount of time. With professional whitening at Ravenwood Dental, you can be confident that the treatment is safe, effective, and tailored to meet your specific goals.
Benefits of Teeth Whitening
A brighter smile can have a positive impact on your appearance and self-esteem. Teeth whitening offers several benefits, including:
- Quick, Noticeable Results: Professional teeth whitening delivers a whiter smile after just one session. You don’t have to wait weeks to see subtle changes.
- Safe and Comfortable: Our team carefully monitors each step to ensure comfort and safety throughout the treatment. We can personalize the percentage of active ingredients in your whitening gel. This means you can get teeth whitening if you’re prone to tooth sensitivity.
- Long-Lasting Effects: With good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, your teeth can stay bright for months. We recommend that you visit us every six months after treatment. Our team will also give you tips on how to brush and floss to keep your teeth white.
- Customizable Treatment: We can adjust the strength and duration of your whitening treatment to give you the precise shade you want. We’ll use a shade guide before treatment to find your right shade. If you need a restoration after, our office can also work with you to create crowns or fillings that match your teeth.
Professional whitening is popular for those preparing for a special event, like a wedding or reunion, or anyone wanting to look and feel their best. We only recommend whitening for adults, because children’s teeth are not fully developed. Children’s teeth can be more sensitive to the bleaching agents in our whitening gel.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening uses a special whitening gel applied directly to your teeth. The active ingredient in the gel, usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, works by breaking down stains on the surface of your teeth. This process lightens the enamel, giving you a brighter smile. At Ravenwood Dental, Dr. Memon will apply the gel evenly to ensure consistent results. Depending on the level of whitening you want to achieve, we can adjust the treatment to match your goals.
The Teeth Whitening Process at Ravenwood Dental
Our professional teeth whitening treatment in St. John, IN, is designed to be quick and comfortable. Here’s what you can expect during the procedure:
- Initial Consultation: Before whitening, we’ll discuss your goals and evaluate your oral health to ensure you’re a good candidate for the treatment. If you have cavities or gum issues, we may need to treat these first. You need to be in good oral health before whitening for the best results.
- Preparation and Protection: We’ll carefully protect your gums and soft tissues first to start treatment. Covering your gums can prevent irritation. We may also clean your teeth to remove any surface debris so the whitening gel can work as effectively as possible.
- Application of Whitening Gel: Dr. Memon will apply the whitening gel to the surface of your teeth. The gel will remain on your teeth for a set period to allow the active ingredients to lift stains and brighten your smile. Some whitening treatments may involve a special light to enhance the whitening process. We may repeat placing the gel and removing it several times based on your desired results.
- Rinse and Reveal: Once the treatment is complete, we remove the gel. Then you can see the immediate results. We may recommend multiple sessions for the best outcome based on your desired tooth shade.
You want to maintain your bright teeth after treatment. We recommend that you brush and floss every day. Brushing and flossing can remove surface stains. Also, avoid eating or drinking foods and drinks that can stain your enamel. Keep scheduling dental cleanings and exams in our office so we can clean tooth stains.
Get Started on Your Brighter Smile Today
If you’re ready to experience a whiter smile, Ravenwood Dental is here to help. Dr. Memon and our team provide safe, professional teeth whitening services in St. John, IN. We want to give you the best possible results. Contact us today to schedule your consultation. Together, we can discover how a brighter smile can boost your confidence and enhance your appearance.