Teeth Whitening Harrisonburg

Most adults will notice their smiles have lost their youthful sparkle over the years, and it makes sense when you consider all the things your teeth come in contact with on a given day. That first cup of coffee to greet the day, a mid-morning snack of berries (or chocolate), and a glass of red wine with spaghetti dinner—you get the picture. Fortunately, there is something to be done about dark, discolored, and/or stained teeth. Teeth whitening in Harrisonburg can provide the help you need! If you are interested in revealing your most attractive smile with professional teeth whitening, we can’t wait to get started! You are invited to request an appointment at Harrisonburg Family & Cosmetic Dentistry today.

Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

Most older teens and adults with healthy teeth and gums can benefit from teeth whitening. Patients with extreme tooth sensitivity, however, should tell us about it so that we can make sure you feel comfortable after treatment ends.

Note that certain kinds of discoloration do not respond to teeth whitening, such as when teeth darken as a side effect from medications. In this case, we may recommend another procedure like veneers to cover your teeth more effectively. Finding the right treatment for you is why you need to have a consultation with us!

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Although many teeth whitening brands exist in dentistry, many of them contain the same active ingredient and work similarly. For most, teeth whitening solutions (even those at the store) have either hydrogen or carbamide peroxide, a bleach that removes stains from the enamel. The difference is that professional-grade whitening bas a significantly higher concentration, meaning it can brighten by more shades than commercial whitening products.

Take-Home Teeth Whitening

Some patients like the idea of handling whitening treatment on their own at home. If you fit into this group, you can enjoy this convenience with powerful professional kits we supply. For about 30 minutes per day, you’ll wear custom trays that evenly distribute the whitening solution. Although you may start to see your teeth get brighter after a few days, continue treatment until you reach a full two weeks as instructed.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

At Harrisonburg Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we have chosen Opalescence Boost System for our in-office treatment because we have continually seen the amazing change it can make. This fast-acting gel only takes about an hour to achieve the best results, and you sit back while we and the Opalescence Boost System do the work for you!

Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile

What you eat and drink right after whitening will make a big difference in how bright your smile stays. Avoid black coffee, tea, sodas, and highly pigmented foods like berries, chocolate, tomato sauce, soy sauce, and similar items that could be easily absorbed right after the whitening treatment. This susceptibility to staining is why take-home treatments are recommended to be performed at night, after you are finished eating and drinking for the day.

Because you’ll need to eat and drink at some point, daily brushing and flossing become even more important to sustain your whitened teeth. In addition, you must continue to come to our office regularly for checkups and cleanings. Not only can we remove superficial stains, but we can let you know when it’s time to touch up the color of your teeth.