The Benefits of Teeth Whitening

A dull smile may not affect the health of your teeth but it can impact your self-esteem. Fortunately, it's easy to brighten your smile with teeth whitening offered by Dr. Sanacore, Dr. Kunert, and Dr. DeBourg-Shilaimon, your Costa Mesa, CA, dentists at Harbor Mesa Dental Care.

How can teeth whitening help me?

Whitening your teeth offers many benefits. When your teeth are dull, yellow or stained, you may feel less confident in social situations. Unfortunately, if you smile less in an attempt to hide your teeth, people may assume that you're not friendly or open to meeting new friends.

How does whitening work?

Life has a way of turning your once-bright smile dull. Teeth naturally become duller with age, but are also affected by foods, beverages and even smoking. Foods that are dark or brightly colored, such as cola, coffee, tea, red wine, soy sauce and berries, deposit pigments in microscopic pores in your tooth enamel. As the pigments accumulate, your teeth begin to look a little gray or yellow.

Hydrogen peroxide gel, used by your Costa Mesa dentist during teeth whitening, breaks apart stains embedded in your tooth enamel. Treatments only take about an hour but leave your teeth three to eight shades whiter. (Take-home trays are also available if you prefer whitening at home.)

Before your treatment begins, tartar and plaque will be removed from your teeth. If you whiten your teeth without removing these substances, your teeth may look speckled. Safety is the priority during whitening treatments. Your gums will be covered with a protective gel, and you'll wear plastic retractors to gently pull your cheeks and lips away from your teeth during your treatment.

Whitening results generally last about two to three years. You keep your teeth looking whiter longer simply by eliminating or reducing stain-causing foods and beverages from your diet.

Boost your smile power with teeth whitening! Call Dr. Sanacore, Dr. Kunert, and Dr. DeBourg-Shilaimon, your Costa Mesa, CA, dentists at Harbor Mesa Dental Care, at (714) 825-0025 to schedule an appointment.