Wouldn’t it be nice if your teeth stayed the same bright white color they were during childhood? Unfortunately, that isn’t the reality for most people. Aging brings a natural discoloration of the teeth, as does consuming dark-colored foods and drinks, smoking, drinking coffee, and even taking certain medications on a long-term basis.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that you don’t have to accept the changes to your teeth and your appearance if you don’t want to. Professional teeth whitening has given many people a smile they can be proud of, not to mention increased confidence.
What is Professional Teeth Whitening and How Does It Work?
Maybe you have seen different brands of toothpaste advertise that using the product can naturally brighten your teeth. You may have even purchased a teeth whitening kit at a discount store or drugstore only to feel disappointed with the result.
Professional teeth whitening is different. At Blue Wave Smiles, we use the highest grade of carbamide peroxide that reaches the dentin contained several layers deep in each tooth. When the whitening bleach connects with your teeth, it reaches each layer to bring out the natural brightness you had as a child. Products you buy on your own just don’t have the same strength as those you can receive from Dr. Nguyen.
Options for Brightening Your Teeth with Blue Wave Smiles
Dr. Nguyen offers patients the following options for this popular cosmetic procedure:
In-office teeth whitening: This option is typically the most effective because it’s performed under the supervision of Dr. Nguyen. On the day of your appointment, Dr. Nguyen or his assistant applies the whitening formulation directly onto your teeth and will closely monitor the progress of the whitening procedure to ensure that you are comfortable. Most people remain in the dental chair for approximately one hour while the bleach takes effect. Afterward, Dr. Nguyen will take mold impressions of your teeth to fabricate custom trays. These trays are for you to take home and use in refresher sessions in order to maintain the whitening effect that was achieved during the in-office whitening session.
Custom trays whitening: If you’re limited on time or just prefer to complete the teeth whitening process yourself, ask the Blue Wave Smiles team to prepare custom trays that you wear at home. Typically, patients wear the trays 20-30 minutes during the day. You will be provided with specific instructions based on your treatment goals.
Whether you opt for professional teeth whitening at home or the San Clemente office of Blue Wave Smiles, you can count on the same great results. Each procedure relies on removable trays rather than whitening strips sold in stores. Customized trays are more effective since the gel fully covers each of your teeth and not just a small portion of them.
How Long Do the Effects of Teeth Whitening Last?
The answer to this question really depends on your lifestyle habits and whether you follow a good oral healthcare routine. For example, the increased brightness may last up to a year if you brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day and avoid smoking, drinking wine, eating berries, or consuming other dark-colored foods and drinks. However, the brightness may start to fade in as little as one month if you don’t brush your teeth consistently or continue any habits that may have led you to consider professional teeth whitening in the first place.
Benefits of Whitening Your Teeth Regularly
For most people who opt for cosmetic dentistry, the ability to smile with confidence and feel good about how they look is the biggest motivator to whiten their teeth. When you complete the procedure with a trained dentist like Dr. Nguyen, you have the added confidence of knowing it will work well and that you’re receiving the highest quality of tooth bleach currently available.
Another thing to consider is that working with a dentist for professional teeth whitening means you will see results much faster. It could even be in less than an hour when you choose the in-office teeth whitening option. By contrast, using a drugstore kit could take weeks or months to produce results and they won’t be nearly as noticeable.
No one wants a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to cosmetic dentistry, and you won’t find that with Dr. Nguyen. He takes the time to understand what each patient hopes to gain from teeth whitening and then customizes their treatment plan accordingly. You can also choose the shade you would like your teeth to be when you work with your dentist compared to doing it on your own.
Ready to Learn More? Schedule a Cosmetic Dentistry Consultation Today
We understand you probably have a lot of questions before committing to this procedure. We invite you to contact us today at 949-498-6840 or by completing a short appointment request form on our website.