Barrington Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening is a simple way to brighten your smile. Whiter teeth can help you look and feel healthy and youthful. And it is effective for everyone. So if you have ever tried over-the-counter whitening products, you need not assume your teeth are as white as they will ever be.

What Causes Staining?

Throughout your life, coffee, tobacco, and intensely colored foods like berries leave pigment on your teeth. Some of this pigment stays on the surface of the enamel and is easily removed with brushing or a professional cleaning. However, some of the pigment soaks in through the enamel and stays in the dentin layer of your teeth. This is what causes most discoloration, staining, and yellowing over time. The photos here show the luminous results of professional teeth whitening.

The Teeth Whitening Procedure

For best results, you should have a regular teeth cleaning before beginning the teeth whitening procedure. Dr. Gavrilos will also check your teeth to make sure there are no leaky fillings or sensitive areas that could cause you problems. He will then either create a set of custom-fit trays for you or offer professional whitening strips. Both methods utilize a powerful peroxide solution, which will be in contact with your teeth for two or more hours each day.

During that time the peroxide solution soaks through your enamel and releases oxygen in the dentin, which oxidizes the stains. Once these stains are oxidized they will never return. In this sense, the treatment is permanent. But because new stains will continue to accumulate, you can do touch-ups every six months to one year.

Why Other Products Don’t Work

Many people who have tried over-the-counter whitening products meet with failure and assume teeth whitening just doesn’t work for them. The truth is that these products are designed to be used without professional supervision, so their whitening solutions are relatively weak. And in the case of whitening toothpastes, they are simply not on the teeth long enough to penetrate the enamel.

What about In-Office Teeth Whitening?

There are light-enhanced or laser teeth whitening procedures that can be done in the office. But the fact is that they are no more effective than the take-home methods Dr. Gavrilos offers. They are also more expensive and have some drawbacks that aren’t associated with the take-home methods. To find out more about these drawbacks, click here to read our Zoom whitening page.

If you are ready to experience a fresh, brilliantly white smile, call our office to schedule an appointment.