How to Whiten Your Teeth and Keep Them That Way

teeth whitening

According to the American Association of Orthodontists, close to 90% of dental patients request teeth whitening treatments from their providers. At Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp. in Orinda, California, we also get many questions about how to whiten teeth and keep them white.

Dr. Ellis and our team offer both in-office and at-home professional teeth whitening treatments, so you can get the brightest smile of your life, safely and conveniently. Take a few moments to learn how to whiten your teeth and keep them that way long after your initial treatment.

Why your teeth aren’t as bright as they used to be

Teeth can yellow for a number of reasons. Poor oral hygiene can be a factor as can the natural aging process. As you get older, tooth enamel usually becomes thinner, so the inner layer of your teeth — the dentin — may show through and make your teeth appear yellower.

Trauma to the mouth can also make your teeth appear darker over time. Furthermore, your teeth can stain due to the foods you eat, the beverages you drink, and the medicines you take.

Foods that can stain teeth include:

  • Coffee and tea
  • Dark-colored sodas
  • Red wine
  • Berries
  • Fruit juice
  • Energy drinks
  • Tomato sauce
  • Soy sauce
  • Balsamic vinegar

Hard candies, dark chocolate, and gummies that contain colored dyes can also linger on tooth enamel and make your teeth look yellow and dingy.

Teeth whitening made simple

Thankfully, there are many options to choose from when you want a whiter, brighter smile. You can whiten your teeth in the privacy and convenience of your home, or you can get immediate results with in-office whitening technology. Dr. Ellis and her team can customize a whitening treatment plan that fits with your needs and works with your schedule.

At-home treatments

If you prefer to whiten your teeth at home, we can create custom whitening trays made just for your mouth. We provide the professional bleaching gels and a whitening plan, so you can brighten your teeth during the day or at night. Depending on the desired brightness and the amount of staining on your teeth, you can achieve a more beautiful smile in a few days to a few weeks.

In-office treatments

If you want more instantaneous results, we recommend an in-office whitening treatment. This advanced technology means that in just one office visit, we can remove deep stains from your teeth using professional whitening agents and unique laser technology.

Keeping your teeth white after treatment

When you start with a professional teeth whitening treatment, you’re already one step ahead of keeping your teeth whiter longer. That’s because professional whitening solutions and technologies are more advanced than over-the-counter options. Our teeth whitening treatments contain more concentrated levels of bleaching agents than you can get from the drugstore or online ordering.

Plus, our dental professionals can advise you on how to minimize tooth sensitivity during treatment, which is a common concern during whitening treatments. We can also advise you on the best toothpastes and brushing techniques for keeping your teeth white, and we can also provide touch-up whitening kits, so you can get an extra boost of brightness in the future.

Permanent teeth whitening

If you aren’t a good candidate for teeth whitening, or if you want a more permanent solution to whiter teeth, we may suggest custom veneers. Dental veneers are thin layers of porcelain that fit on the tops of your front teeth, becoming a permanent part of your mouth.

You can select the shade of white you desire, and once Dr. Ellis places your veneers, you get to leave the office with a permanent, dazzling smile.

To explore your whitening options, book an appointment online or over the phone with Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp. today.