The Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening

Everyone wants a bright, radiant smile—though that doesn’t always come to us naturally! Teeth can be tricky when it comes to whitening, which is why sometimes professional intervention is necessary. Barclay Dental is going to lay out the benefits of professional teeth whitening for you today and answer all of your burning questions!

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Dr. Meri and Dr. Salem both cover a lot of ground in terms of the many services they offer our patients—but this one can be especially simple and transformative. It’s a safe and easy way to remove staining and discoloration from your teeth, which are both completely natural. 

Here’s what our process usually looks like:

1. Consultation: Your doctor will start the appointment by discussing your goals, examining your teeth, and determining if whitening is the right option for you. This personalized approach is how we make sure your treatment is tailored to your needs.

2. Treatment: A specially formulated whitening gel is applied to your teeth during a whitening session to gently remove stains and discoloration.

3. Light Activation: We use a special light to activate the gel, which accelerates the whitening process by breaking down the hydrogen peroxide and allowing oxygen to penetrate the enamel and dentin, combatting yellowish spots.

Correcting Issues

Teeth whitening can address a number of issues since tooth discoloration can derive from a lot of different causes. Some of these simply happen with time, and others result from external factors. 

  • Aging: Natural wear of enamel will begin to reveal the yellowish dentin beneath it, which is why teeth tend to get yellower with age.
  • Staining Foods and Beverages: Coffee, tea, red wine, and certain foods can leave lasting stains. A lot of these are consumed daily, which can be a leading cause of discoloration for patients.
  • Tobacco Use: Nicotine and tar are notorious for causing yellow or brown stains.
  • Medications: Tetracycline antibiotics or excessive fluoride during tooth development can discolor teeth for some patients.
  • Plaque and Tartar: Poor oral hygiene leads to buildup, which may not immediately cause issues—but often eventually contributes to uneven discoloration.
  • Trauma: Some acute injuries can cause teeth to appear brown, gray, or black.
The Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening

In Office and At Home

Our practice actually offers two different methods of whitening to help accommodate busy schedules. You can opt for the in-office treatment we mentioned before or an at-home option. They both have their own benefits:

In-Office

  • Preparation/Technique: We protect your lips and gums before applying the whitening gel. You can always be confident in the quality of our application and results since we do this on a daily basis. 
  • Customizable Sessions: With this option, which contains higher peroxide levels than the at-home version, you can achieve your ideal tooth shade in as little as one appointment.

At-Home

  • Custom Trays: We create molds of your teeth to ensure a perfect fit.
  • Professional-Grade Gel: The whitening gel we provide you with in your kit contains higher peroxide levels than over-the-counter options, which means better quality whitening.
  • Flexibility: These at-home treatments can be done on your own time, and we can offer you our oversight to get you the best results possible.

Regardless of what approach you choose—Barclay Dental empowers you to choose whichever solution fits your lifestyle best!

Frequently Asked Questions

Teeth whitening is a fairly multi-faceted option, and many patients have similar questions about it when they come into our offices. 

Q: How Is Professional Whitening Better Than Drugstore Kits?

Over-the-counter kits may seem convenient, but they often lead to uneven whitening and can increase tooth sensitivity. Our treatments are customized to your needs, ensuring consistent results while minimizing risks. This can give you some peace of mind—and a brighter smile!

Q: Does Whitening Work on All Teeth?

Teeth whitening is effective on natural teeth but does not change the color of restorations such as crowns, veneers, or composite fillings. We’ll work with you to ensure seamless and satisfying results.

Q: Will Whitening Make My Teeth Sensitive?

Some patients may experience mild sensitivity after whitening but it subsides on its own over time. Barclay Dental uses high-quality, professional-grade products designed to minimize discomfort. We can always recommend desensitizing products to help accommodate you throughout the process if you’re susceptible to sensitivity.

The Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening

The Barclay Way

In our region of Michigan, we offer dental services that are second to none in their quality. To put it simply, we care deeply for our patients as individuals and treat them as such—so you’ll always feel listened to and appreciated in our practice. Whether you’re in Rochester Hills or Shelby Township, we hope to see you soon!