Need A Brighter Smile? Let Us Help.
Cosmetic dentist Dr. Bidabadi offers professional strength teeth whitening services that will help you achieve a more radiant smile in just one office visit or in as little as two weeks with an at-home kit.
Teeth Whitening Options at Our Brighton & Newton Offices
Soft Touch Dentistry in Brighton and Newton, MA offers teeth whitening treatments that can be accomplished in one office visit. Soft Touch Dentistry also has a professional strength take-home whitening kit available for those who would prefer to whiten at home or are not seeking immediate results. Take-home kits typically require 10-14 days of treatment to achieve optimal results. For patients who only need to whiten their teeth by just a couple of shades, there are quick in-office procedures available.
Read our FAQ:
How Do I Know If I Need My Teeth Whitened?
While teeth whitening might seem like a basic dental procedure, most people are unaware of the reasons why teeth whitening can benefit a patient’s smile for the better. Most patients who undergo teeth whitening seek treatment for the following reasons:
You Notice Discoloration on Your Teeth:
If you look in the mirror and notice discoloration on your teeth, it may be time to get your teeth whitened. Sometimes, it can be hard to tell whether or not your teeth are white or slightly yellow because the color change may not be significant. However, a great way to test this is to put on a white t-shirt and try to determine if your teeth are white against the contrast of your shirt. If not, you may benefit from teeth whitening.
You’re Over 35 Years Old:
Your oral health changes as you get older. Things such as plaque build-up often get harder to remove as you age. Maintaining camera-ready smiles can also be challenging with age. While it’s simply the natural process of eating, drinking, and living over the course of several years that can change the color of your teeth, it’s always best to seek professional treatment to keep your smile as radiant as possible.
You Drink Tea or Coffee Daily:
Coffee and tea can have a huge impact on staining your teeth. Their often dark brown coloration in the liquids can quickly turn your teeth from white to yellow, especially if you have to have a drink each morning. We’re not saying you have to cut out these drinks, but if you do have them daily, utilize teeth whitening to keep your smile fresh!
You’re a Smoker:
Nicotine and tar can have huge effects on the coloration of your teeth. Not only will smoking shift your tooth coloration from pure white to yellow, but it can also cause a number of oral health issues such as bad breath, build-up of tartar and plaque, loss of bone in the jaw, and more. If you don’t intend to quit smoking, try to prioritize professional dental treatment and teeth whitening to help keep your mouth as healthy as possible.
You’re Self-Conscious About Your Smile:
If you find yourself smiling with your mouth closed, or covering your mouth when you laugh, you may be insecure about your teeth or smile. One way to help achieve your aesthetic goals when it comes to your smile is teeth whitening, as it can enhance your smile, making it more radiant, friendly, and eye-catching.
Why Choose Professional Teeth Whitening Over At-Home Whitening?
Unlike drugstore options, professional teeth whitening services yield deeper, longer-lasting results. These high-quality results can also be obtained in just one office visit.
If you have an important event coming up for a wedding or a big job interview, you may want to consider professional teeth whitening services. Of the many cosmetic procedures available, a teeth whitening visit is one of the fastest and most affordable ways to make you look healthier and more radiant.
Can Anyone Have Professional Teeth Whitening Done?
The best candidates for professional teeth whitening are patients with healthy teeth who do not have fillings, restorations, or any form of gum disease. Because teeth whitening can cause gum sensitivity, we want to prioritize patient safety and comfort when it comes to this procedure. We recommend teeth whitening for anyone over 16 years of age, as well as patients with braces! Patients with periodontal disease, tooth decay, and cavities may not be the right candidates. If you are also allergic to teeth-bleaching whitening ingredients such as peroxide, this treatment may not be right for you.
Additionally, we advise patients to have realistic expectations when it comes to the results of teeth whitening, as it will not change the appearance, structure, or shape of their mouth or smile. Patients who have more yellow in their teeth will see a more noticeable result.
How Should I Prepare for In-Office Teeth Whitening?
If you are interested in getting your teeth professionally whitened here in the office, your first step is to schedule a full consultation and exam. If it’s been more than six months since your last cleaning, we suggest that you schedule that as well. A thorough cleaning can remove the debris and biofilm that could stand in the way of your best teeth-whitening results. A pre-whitening exam can ensure that your teeth and gums are not affected by inflammation or decay that could flare up in pain during or after your treatment. Once we know that your teeth and gums are in good health, you’re ready to revamp your smile!
Are There Any Foods or Drinks I Should Avoid After Teeth Whitening?
For about 48 hours after getting your teeth whitened, your teeth may be slightly more porous. This means they’ll be more prone to staining, the exact thing you want to avoid! To protect your enamel during this brief time after your treatment, we suggest sticking to a “white diet” that includes foods like white rice, bread, chicken or fish, yogurt, and other light-colored foods. You should avoid all foods that could stain your teeth, including coffee, tea, and red wine. After a few days, your teeth should be less prone to staining, and you can go back to your normal dietary habits.
How Long Will It Take to Recover from Teeth Whitening?
There is typically no recovery period after professional teeth whitening treatment. Though patients may experience some sensitivity in their teeth or gums to cold and freezing beverages and treats, this should disappear after a couple of days. Teeth whitening is typically painless with no downtime, allowing patients to return to their normal lifestyle after their treatment.
How Long Will My Teeth Whitening Results Last?
The duration of your teeth whitening results is largely in your control. The effects of this treatment are not permanent, but they can last up to a few years. This depends somewhat on your diet and lifestyle and somewhat on your oral care habits. If you enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, you can continue to do so but can benefit from drinking water afterward or swishing water through your mouth. The same habit can be implemented after meals to help reduce the concentration of food debris that can sit on your teeth. Your dentist can also discuss good toothpaste products to use on your whitened teeth. Brushing twice a day and flossing daily will go a long way in fostering long-term radiance.
How Often Can I Get My Teeth Professionally Whitened?
It is deemed safe to have professional teeth whitening done once every 12 to 18 months. That said, you might maintain your results by doing touch-up treatments using a professional home-whitening kit in between your more comprehensive whitening treatments. Doing so may elongate the time in between these visits.
Are There Any Risks to In-Office Teeth Whitening?
Professional teeth whitening is a safe and effective way to get a brighter smile. The most common side effects are temporary tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. This happens because the whitening agent has to break down the protective barrier that covers tooth enamel so that it can permeate the pores and break up stain molecules. Within a week or so after your treatment, this barrier should be restored and your sensitivity should resolve. In the meantime, you can use toothpaste made for sensitive teeth. You might also alter your diet to avoid foods and beverages that are very hot or very cold. Finally, if needed, you may take an over-the-counter pain reliever to minimize post-treatment sensitivity.
Is Teeth Whitening Painful?
Your teeth whitening treatment should be very comfortable and satisfying. That term “no pain, no gain” thankfully does not apply to teeth whitening! When you have your teeth whitened here in the office, we apply a protective film over your gums to reduce the risk of irritation. Your teeth may become sensitive, as we’ve discussed, but this is a temporary, manageable issue.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe? What Are The Risks?
Only a dental professional can offer the strongest whitening agents as those used by Soft Touch Dentistry. Receiving services in a dental office will also ensure that these highly effective whitening agents do not harm your gums or other tissues near the mouth.
How Can I Maintain My Smile After Teeth Whitening?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions by our patients. There are a number of ways to keep the effects of your teeth whitening treatment fresh and long-lasting.
The most important tip is to maintain general oral hygiene including frequent brushing. Brushing often, especially after meals will maintain a healthy glow to your newly whitened teeth.
Another helpful tip is to avoid caffeine and dark drinks such as coffee or soda. If possible, use a straw for these types of beverages to minimize their contact with your teeth. It’s important to note that all foods and beverages which may stain your teeth should be avoided completely for the first 24 hours following treatment.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are interested in teeth whitening in Brighton or Newton, MA, schedule an appointment at Soft-Touch Dentistry. Our practice proudly serves Brighton and Newton, MA. Visit our contact page here.
