About Teeth Whitening

There are several causes of tooth discoloration. The enamel on your teeth wears thin as you get older, revealing the yellowish color of the tooth’s core — made of dentin — beneath. Enamel can also become stained by tobacco use or by drinking tea, coffee, cola, or red wine. In some cases, teeth become darkened by trauma, antibiotic use, or overexposure to fluoride.

Dr. Narang performs a full oral examination to assess your teeth before recommending the tooth whitening process that will best suit your needs. If the discoloration or stains on your teeth are unlikely to respond to whitening, or if you have fillings or dental bonds, Dr. Narang can recommend other methods to help you achieve the smile you want.

Dr. Narang offers a selection of whitening treatments to restore your smile. One of the most popular involves the application of a special bleaching solution to your teeth during an in-office session. Sometimes this has immediate results, and sometimes Dr. Narang recommends the process is repeated over a series of follow-up visits. He may also prescribe custom-made trays and gels for a less-intensive at-home treatment, applied over a period of days or weeks.

You may feel some tingling or irritation during the procedure and heightened tooth sensitivity to heat and cold for a short time afterward. This usually disappears after a few days. You can also use desensitizing toothpaste to minimize the effects. Any minor inflammation can be treated with over-the-counter medication, but if symptoms persist you should contact Dr. Narang for further advice.

Once you’ve restored your bright smile, you need to take steps to maintain it. Protect your newly-cleaned tooth enamel by avoiding dark-colored drinks or drinking them through a straw, quitting smoking, and sticking to a regular oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing. Don’t forget to schedule a visit to see Dr. Narang once every six months for your routine cleaning, tooth polishing, and personalized prevention and dental care advice.