What You’ve Always Wanted to Know about Teeth Whitening In Phoenix

Over time, your smile can show the signs of age. Your teeth may not wrinkle, but they will certainly yellow and stain from the years of drinking coffee, tea and soda or smoking. Even if you avoid everything that can stain your teeth and you pay close attention to your oral hygiene, you teeth can still become discolored with age.

Teeth whitening can give you a smile makeover and make you feel younger and more confident. Look for an experienced Phoenix cosmetic dentist who can help you understand the right whitening options for you and can get the results you want.

Here’s a little more information about teeth whitening to help you better understand what this Phoenix procedure has to offer:

How Much Whitening Costs

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure, so it is not covered by dental insurance. However, most people find that the procedure is affordable enough to pay out of pocket.

The exact costs to whiten your teeth will depend upon the dentist you visit and the exact procedure you use. You can have trays fitted to your teeth and apply lightening gel, or you can have a UV light applied to your teeth to remove the stains.

How Much Whitening Can Brighten Your Smile

Even the strongest teeth whitening procedures cannot turn your smile gleaming white if they are severely stained. The older you get, the less enamel your teeth have, which means that the darker under layer is revealed.

Whitening procedures can typically only lighten your teeth by a few shades. The better the condition of your teeth when you have the procedure, the better the results you can expect.

How Long You Can Expect the Results to Last

After you have your teeth whitened, you can expect to have a brilliant, white smile for a couple more years without having to do anything else. However, the exact timeline will depend on how you treat your teeth after you have them whitened.

If you drink a lot of dark beverages like coffee and tea, your teeth will begin to stain more quickly. If you smoke, your teeth will stain even more quickly. Your own genetics can also influence how susceptible your teeth are to staining.

Depending on these and other factors, your teeth can stay white and brilliant for anywhere from six months to two years before they start to fade or stain.

Whitening and Gum Damage

Some people believe that the chemicals and lights used to whiten teeth can damage the gums. However, the truth is that the treatment is totally safe for the gums, so long as the procedure is performed properly.

Your trays must fit properly to avoid irritating the gums, and you must use the right amount of lightening gel to avoid chemical burns. If you do experience any pain or discomfort in your gums, it should only last a short time. If it lasts any longer, you should talk to your dentist because it could indicate a bigger problem.

Teeth Whitening vs. Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers add thin shells of porcelain to your teeth that can instantly turn the color the brightest white while also improving the shape of your teeth. Veneers offer the ultimate smile makeover, and they are a great choice for people who have serious staining or who cannot get results from other whitening procedures for other reasons.

However, putting in veneers is an involved process that requires sanding down your teeth. For most people, whitening is a much less invasive and less expensive procedure that can get the same results.

During your initial consultation with your dentist, you will learn about your options for lightening and get all your questions answered, including how much each option will cost and how much they can lighten your teeth. Aesthetic Dentistry of Arrowhead in Phoenix, Arizona offers several options for teeth whitening, including take-home kits that include trays and lightening gel. We offer numerous treatments to help you get the smile makeover you want, including veneers, implants, and even braces. The exact treatment plan you need will depend upon the condition of your teeth and your lifestyle factors. Call us today to schedule an appointment to discuss your options.