Teeth whitening

There are two kinds of stain. Surface stain comes from what touches your teeth: coffee, tea, red wine, dark sodas and tobacco. It builds up in the outer enamel and usually responds well to whitening.

Deeper color comes from inside the tooth. Enamel naturally thins with age and lets the darker layer underneath show through. Some medications, too much fluoride in childhood, or an old injury can also change a tooth's color from within. Age-related yellowing usually whitens well. Some internal stains don't, and we'll tell you which kind you have.

ZOOM uses a professional-strength whitening gel activated by a special light. The gel works into the enamel and breaks up the stain molecules that make teeth look yellow or dull, including some stains that sit below the surface where toothpaste and strips can't reach.

Because it's done in the chair, the dentist controls the strength, protects your gums and lips, and watches how your teeth respond. That's what lets it work faster and further than anything you can buy at the store.

Plan on one visit. The steps:

• We note your starting shade so you can see the change.
• Your lips and gums are covered with a protective barrier, and a small retractor keeps your cheeks back.
• The whitening gel goes on your teeth and the ZOOM light activates it, in a few short rounds.
• Between rounds we check your comfort and how the color is changing.
• We rinse, compare the new shade with where you started, and go over how to protect the result.

Strips and whitening toothpastes can take off some surface stain, but they're mild by design, and they don't fit every tooth evenly. Results tend to be modest and patchy, and it's easy to spend a lot over time chasing a small change.

In-office whitening is stronger, even, and supervised. You get a visible result in a single visit, and a dentist makes sure it's safe for your teeth first. If you've tried strips and felt let down, professional whitening is usually the next step.

Two things: healthy teeth and gums, and stains you want gone. Whitening works best on yellow or brown staining from coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco and age.

We start with an exam, because whitening on top of a cavity, a crack or inflamed gums can hurt and can hide a problem. If we find something, we treat it first and whiten after. Whitening isn't recommended during pregnancy or while nursing, and we may suggest waiting for younger teens.

Whitening changes natural enamel only. It won't lighten crowns, fillings, veneers or bonding, so if you have those on front teeth, they'll stay their current shade while the teeth around them brighten. We'll plan around that, and sometimes the smart order is to whiten first, then match new restorations to your brighter shade.

Some deep, internal discoloration, like gray staining from certain medications or a tooth that darkened after an injury, doesn't respond well. For those, bonding or porcelain veneers are usually the better route, and we'll tell you honestly before you pay for whitening that won't do the job.

It can. Some people feel mild sensitivity or brief zings for a day or two after whitening. It passes on its own. If your teeth are already sensitive, tell us beforehand so we can plan for it. Using a toothpaste for sensitive teeth for a week or two before and after helps many people, and skipping very hot and very cold drinks for the first day or two makes it easier.

Results usually last six months or more, and often much longer with good habits. To keep your teeth bright:

• Brush twice a day and floss daily.
• Rinse with water after coffee, tea, soda or red wine, and use a straw when you can.
• Skip tobacco, which stains quickly.
• Keep your cleanings every six months; polishing removes new surface stain.
• Book a touch-up when you notice the color starting to fade.

Teeth pick up stain more easily for the first day or two after whitening. Stick to lighter foods, like rice, chicken, pasta without red sauce, yogurt and water. Hold off on coffee, tea, red wine, dark sodas, berries and tomato sauce if you can, and don't smoke.

If you're planning new crowns, bonding or veneers on front teeth, whiten first. Those are matched to your natural shade and won't change afterward, so whitening later would leave them looking darker than the teeth around them.

Got a wedding, graduation or reunion coming up? Book whitening a week or two ahead, so any sensitivity has passed and the color has settled before the photos.

You'll have the price for in-office whitening in writing before the appointment. Whitening is cosmetic, so dental insurance doesn't cover it. If you're also planning veneers, bonding or new crowns, we'll price everything together so the shades match and there are no surprises.