Teeth Whitening Q & A

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental service in high demand for those who want a brighter, more attractive smile. Teeth whitening can help you remove certain stains on the surfaces of your teeth and achieve a whiter shade that stands out. 

Before you undergo teeth whitening, you should attend a consultation with the team at Michael S. Yung DDS to discuss your options. The team examines your teeth to make sure they’re strong enough to withstand the whitening process and that your stains are removable. 

The team at Michael S. Yung DDS provides teeth whitening treatments using Philips Zoom!® professional whitening. During your treatment, the team applies a layer of whitening gel evenly across your teeth before activating it with a powerful LED light. Zoom! whitening also includes amorphous calcium phosphate, a chemical to help reduce tooth sensitivity and strengthen your enamel. If in-office whitening doesn’t work with your schedule, the team might recommend take-home whitening trays instead.

When should I consider teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is a purely cosmetic service that you should consider if you’re unhappy with the way your smile looks. With the teeth whitening options available at Michael S. Yung DDS you can remove stains and discoloration from the outer layer of your teeth called the enamel. Enamel stains often come from:

• Smoke and tobacco
• Coffee and tea
• Berries and juice
• Dark cola
• Red wine
• General yellowing with age

Yellow and brown stains respond to teeth whitening treatments, but gray tones in your teeth may not see any improvement at all. These stains are in deeper layers of your teeth and come from other factors like medications and impact injuries. In these cases, the team at Michael S. Yung DDS might recommend veneers or crowns instead.

What are the benefits of professional whitening?

Whitening toothpaste, strips, and other products are available over the counter at your local grocery store or pharmacy. While you might see some improvement using these products over time, the results can’t compare to a professional whitening treatment. Zoom! whitening treatments include much stronger bleaching agents that work rapidly to give you a whiter smile right away.

If you choose to undergo an in-office whitening treatment with Zoom!, you’ll see your results right away after a 45-minute treatment. Zoom! can whiten your teeth by up to eight shades with this quick treatment, and take-home trays can deliver an equally drastic result in much fewer uses than over-the-counter products. 

To explore teeth whitening treatments for yourself or your family, call Michael S. Yung DDS or request an appointment online today.