Teeth Whitening Specialist
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North Hawaii Dental LLC
General Dentistry located in Kamuela, HI
It only takes about an hour of your time to make a difference in your appearance with in-office teeth whitening. At-home whitening is also available and offers the advantages of achieving even whiter smiles in the comfort of your own home. Maricris Meyer, DDS, at North Hawaii Dental LLC, specializes in helping you achieve a bright smile with advanced teeth whitening. Even difficult tetracycline stains can be whitened with the advanced Kor Whitening system. When you’re ready to eliminate embarrassing yellow or stained teeth, call the office in Kamuela, Hawaii, or use the online booking tool today.
Teeth Whitening Q & A
What is teeth whitening?
You can develop tooth stains that go beyond the surface of your teeth. Age-related staining also occurs as your enamel erodes and the inner pulp yellows over time.
The most common type of stains, however, occur on the surface of your teeth. You may develop stained teeth from a variety of sources, including:
Darkly pigmented foods and beverages
Products like coffee, tea, red wine, cranberry juice, soy sauce, and berries are just a few darkly pigmented products that can stain your teeth by collecting in microscopic gaps in your enamel.
Acidic products
If your teeth are frequently exposed to acidic foods and beverages, it can gradually erode your tooth enamel, creating areas that are more susceptible to staining. Some of the most common culprits include soda, tomato sauce, fruit juice, energy drinks, and vinegar.
Tobacco products
Nicotine and tar from cigarettes, cigars, or chewing tobacco can turn your teeth yellow or brown. These products can also greatly increase the chances of developing oral cancer. At North Hawaii Dental LLC, the team performs oral cancer screenings at every cleaning appointment.
What are the benefits of professional teeth whitening?
Although commercial teeth-whitening products can help get rid of mild stains, professional whitening offers several distinct benefits, including:
Optimal and quick results
Your dentist uses bleaching agents that are more concentrated than those used in commercial take-home teeth-whitening kits. Several over-the-counter treatments won't produce the same results you'll achieve with a one-hour professional treatment or with custom-made bleaching trays.
Gum protection
The bleaching agent in all whitening solutions can irritate your gums, cheeks, and tongue, including those found in the less-concentrated over-the-counter products. Your dentist carefully protects your soft oral tissues using a dental barrier and a retractor that holds your lips and cheeks away from your teeth. The custom trays that your dentist provides for at-home whitening fit tightly against the teeth to prevent the leaking of whitening agents onto the gums.
Why should I consult a dentist prior to whitening my teeth?
It's recommended that you get a checkup prior to teeth whitening for two reasons. First, your provider can determine whether your stains are inside your teeth rather than on the surface. Once they determine this, they can recommend specialized whitening to remove the more difficult intrinsic stains effectively. Your dentist can remove surface stains with a thorough teeth cleaning.
You'll also want to have problems like cavities and cracked teeth repaired before whitening your teeth. Imperfections like cracks and cavities can allow the bleaching agent to get inside your teeth, which can cause pain and worsen cavities. It is very common to have cavities and not feel any pain. By the time you can feel discomfort associated with a cavity, it may be too late for a filling.
If you would like to discuss your teeth whitening options, call North Hawaii Dental LLC, or request an appointment online today.
