Teeth Whitening

Teeth Whitening Q&A

What causes teeth to change color?

The leading cause of tooth discoloration is the natural aging process. Over the years, your enamel breaks down and wears away, allowing the yellow dentin beneath to become more visible.

You might also experience tooth discoloration due to:

• Oral trauma
• Taking medication with tetracycline
• Using tobacco
• Eating tomato-based foods like pasta sauce or curries
• Drinking beverages with tannins, such as cola, red wine, and tea
• Poor oral hygiene, like failing to brush or floss, can also stain your teeth.

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is a type of cosmetic dentistry. It uses medical-grade, FDA-approved whitening solutions to cut through stains and restore your teeth to their near-original pearly white condition. A series of teeth whitening treatments can eliminate years of discoloration, ensuring you look and feel your best.

What are the types of teeth whitening?

Dr. Cottrill and the team offer two types of teeth whitening treatment:

In-office chairside teeth whitening

In-office chairside whitening can make your teeth significantly brighter in just one treatment. At the beginning of your appointment, Dr. Cottrill covers your gums and tongue with a protective dam. Then, she applies a whitening solution to each tooth and activates it with a special ultraviolet light.
The special light triggers a whitening reaction that oxidizes your teeth, cutting through the stains. Each chairside treatment consists of 2 or 3 applications of whitening solution. This process takes about an hour and can be repeated several times until you achieve your desired results. This treatment is safe for healthy enamel and highly effective in lightening teeth with one office appointment.

Take-home teeth whitening trays

If you would rather whiten your teeth on your own time, consider take-home teeth whitening trays. To ensure your trays fit perfectly, Dr. Cottrill takes impressions of your mouth and creates two custom mouthpieces, one for your upper arch and one for your lower arch.
A few days later, you return to the office, and Dr. Cottrill provides you with the mouthpieces and whitening solution. You place the bleaching solution in the trays and wear them for several minutes a day. Over time, the trays whiten and brighten your teeth and smile.

Are the results of teeth whitening permanent?

The results of teeth whitening treatments aren’t permanent, but they last an average of four to six months and sometimes longer. Refresher applications of whitening solution can be placed every few months to keep your smile its brightest. To extend your results, practice good oral hygiene. Dr. Cottrill recommends brushing and flossing daily and visiting the office at least twice a year for an oral exam and professional teeth cleaning.

To further explore teeth whitening, make an appointment at Nashville Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry. Call the office or request an appointment online today.