A bright smile can make you look better and feel more confident. Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dental procedure to get a whiter, more attractive smile. Dr. John Slate offers expert teeth whitening services in our Washington, DC, dental office so you look and feel your best. Whether you want immediate results or prefer convenient at-home treatments, our services will fit your needs.
What Causes Tooth Stains?
Discoloration can happen for many reasons and cause teeth to lose their bright color. When we know the cause of your tooth stains we can find the best way to treat tooth discoloration:
Foods and Drinks
Some of your favorite foods and drinks might be staining your teeth without you even knowing it. Dark-colored drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine can leave stains on the enamel, the hard, outer layer of your teeth. Foods with strong coloring, like berries, tomato sauce, or soy sauce, can also cause staining over time.
Smoking and Tobacco Use
If you smoke cigarettes, vape, or use other tobacco products, your teeth can turn yellow or brown. Tobacco has chemicals that stick to your teeth and make them darker the more you use it. Quitting smoking can help stop further staining and improve your overall health.
Aging
As you get older, it’s normal for your teeth to change color. Over time, the enamel on your teeth gets thinner from years of chewing and brushing. The yellow layer underneath, called dentin, becomes more noticeable when this happens. This makes your teeth look less white, even if you take good care of them.
Medications and Health Conditions
Some medicines can cause tooth discoloration. For example, certain antibiotics taken at a young age or during pregnancy can affect how adult teeth grow. Other medications, like some used for high blood pressure or allergies, might cause staining too. In some cases, health conditions that affect the enamel or dentin can also lead to tooth discoloration from the inside out.
Professional Teeth Whitening in Washington, DC
If you want a brighter smile, Dr. Slate offers professional teeth whitening with options to fit your lifestyle. You can choose from in-office treatments or take-home kits depending on what works best for you.
In-Office Whitening
In-office teeth whitening gives fast and dramatic results. First, Dr. Slate will ensure your teeth are clean. Then he applies a powerful whitening gel to your teeth. He uses a special light to activate the ingredients in the gel to break up stains.
Dr. Slate will repeat this process multiple times. The whole process takes less than an hour, and you’ll walk out of the office with noticeably whiter teeth.
Take-Home Whitening
If you’d rather whiten your teeth at home, take-home kits are a great option. These kits come with a strong whitening gel and easy-to-follow instructions. You can use them at your own pace and still get great results.
Dr. Slate offers GLO teeth whitening for patients in Washington, DC, which combines a professional gel with a special warming light. This option can be done at home or in the office. GLO is perfect for people who want a simple and comfortable way to get whiter teeth.
Why Choose Professional Whitening?
Professional teeth whitening provides better results compared to over-the-counter products. The whitening agents dentists use are more powerful, allowing for quicker and more noticeable improvements. Other benefits of teeth whitening in our Washington, DC office include:
- Effectiveness: Professional whitening services generally offer more effective results than over-the-counter products. The whitening chemicals are more concentrated and stronger than store-bought options. In most cases, we can whiten your teeth to about 80% of their natural whiteness.
- Safety: Safety is another benefit of professional treatments. Over-the-counter products may cause uneven whitening or damage to the enamel. Professional whitening will minimize these risks. We isolate the gums, lips, and root surfaces to avoid contact with the high-concentration peroxide we use.
- Personal Assessment: Dr. John Slate will conduct a thorough exam before he suggests a whitening treatment. This helps identify the type and cause of tooth stains.
- Custom Treatment: Based on the exam, Dr. Slate designs a custom whitening plan. This helps him recommend the most effective treatment for your specific needs. A customized plan ensures that the results match your goals and expectations.
Teeth Whitening Maintenance and Touch-Up Treatments
After your teeth whitening treatment, you want to take care of your teeth so your results last. Dr. Slate will check your progress during follow-up visits and can give you touch-up treatments when needed. Every whitening patient also receives a take-home kit to help keep their teeth bright between visits. If you ever want to refresh your smile again, Dr. Slate offers discounted prices for future in-office whitening treatments.
To help your teeth stay white longer, try to avoid foods and drinks that cause stains. These include things like coffee, tea, red wine, and dark-colored sodas. Continue to brush and floss every day to remove surface stains and keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Is Teeth Whitening Comfortable?
Some patients worry about side effects like tooth sensitivity or gum irritation. These issues are usually temporary and you can manage them with toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Dr. Slate ensures that his patients are comfortable and well-informed about the process. If you have questions or concerns, his team is ready to provide guidance.
Every smile is unique, and so is every whitening treatment. Dr. Slate begins by assessing your teeth and discussing your goals.
He’ll work with you to find the cause of the tooth stains. From there, he creates a customized plan to meet your needs. Whether you choose an in-office procedure or an at-home kit, you’ll get a solution just for you.
Get Brighter Teeth Today
Teeth whitening is an effective way to enhance your smile and boost your confidence. Dr. Slate offers safe and comfortable teeth whitening in Washington, DC, tailored to your needs.
Schedule an appointment online today. You can also call Slate Dental at (425) 584-3751 to learn how teeth whitening can transform your smile.