Teeth whitening is a safe and quick procedure at Southern Dental. Whitening your teeth is an effective way to counteract discoloration due to natural yellowing with age or from other causes like tobacco use, coffee, tea, red wine, and even certain medications.

The Houston Dentists at Southern have performed numerous cosmetic teeth whitening and tooth bleaching treatments that typically surpass the expectations of our patients. Patients often ask if teeth whitening is safe. Teeth whitening has proven to cause no damage to the tooth structure, and it will not weaken teeth or cause gum disease. Some patients have reported having sensitivity to hot and cold but typically only last a day or two.

Teeth whitening or bleaching is a dental treatment used to repair or improve the color of the tooth’s enamel. The procedure is non-invasive and simple, and there are different methods of whitening teeth discolorations to restore your smile. The most common issue patients want treated in cosmetic dentistry is tooth discoloration. This can be caused by a variety of issues such as stained teeth due to eating habits, stained teeth due to medications, fluorosis or the excessive fluoridation of the tooth during its development and because of normal wear of the enamel that protects the tooth.

How does teeth whitening work?

The treatment of teeth whitening consists of custom made transparent plastic trays for your teeth with a special bleaching solution. During your first appointment, your dentist will take impressions or molds of your teeth to create your custom trays. On your next visit, your trays will be ready to use or be adjusted for a better fit. A special whitening solution is applied on your trays and worn overnight or twice a day for 30 minutes for a number of weeks depending on the state of your teeth and the desired outcome of the treatment. During the bleaching, teeth sensitivity can be experienced due to the chemicals in the whitening solution, but this will stop once the treatment is done.

The teeth whitening treatment is not permanent; therefore, you have to have the treatment done every few years or more often if your eating habits may cause further discoloration. Your dentist will provide you with care instructions for your teeth and trays during the treatment, but good oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist are necessary to keep the treatment effective.

At Southern Dental Associates, we are dedicated to improving and restoring your smile to a beautiful, healthy condition. We are happy to provide you with the necessary information and discuss your options. Don’t hesitate to contact us!