Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is an in-office cosmetic procedure that provides a simple and affordable method to whiten your teeth. It gives you the chance to have the bright smile that you’ve always wanted. At Healthy Smiles Family Dental, located in Salem, Oregon, Dr. Na Xu, D.D.S., and Dr. Mark Thomas, D.M.D. can walk you through the teeth whitening process.

 

There is a multitude of reasons that your teeth can become discolored. Eating certain foods, like ones high in tannic acid, like grapes and tea, have coloring effects. Coffee and cigarettes are another common cause. General lack of oral maintenance, like tooth decay and worn down enamel, are also big factors. Some of the quicker ways to improve the whiteness of your smile are to cut back on the coffee and smoking. But for many patients, this isn’t quite enough. This is where professional teeth whitening comes in.

 

It is necessary to understand that teeth whitening will not magically transform your smile. It will just allow you to greatly improve the general appearance of your teeth. Bleaching also only works on natural teeth. If you are considering other forms of cosmetic dentistry, check with your dentist beforehand. The effects of teeth whitening are not permanent, the effects lasting for up to a year.

 

You might be unsure about what exactly transpires at your teeth whitening appointment. At Healthy Smiles Family Dental, we create a home bleaching system that is customized just for you. At your first two appointments, Dr. Xu or Dr. Thomas will create molds of your teeth. These molds are then used to make custom trays for the bleaching agent.

 

At your next appointment, your custom trays will be checked to make sure they fit comfortably. If they fit, you will then be walked through the whitening process. This involves you wearing the trays with a whitening agent either twice a day or overnight, for several weeks to a month. You may experience teeth sensitivity during whitening, but this should go away after finishing the process.

 

Healthy Smiles Family Dental is located in Salem, Oregon. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Na Xu, D.D.S. or Dr. Mark Thomas, D.M.D., visit our website or call 503-385-1185.