Teeth Whitening

BriteSmile and other in-office tooth whitening programs take about one hour in the dental office. Full Answer

Whitening strips can start to whiten teeth in a few days. Best results may take a week to ten days. Full Answer

Laser bleaching of teeth is common for dentists who perform in-office tooth whitening procedures. In most cases, bleaching trays will also be needed for at-home use to enhance the whitening effect. Full Answer

I do not recommend cosmetic dental procedures during pregnancy. I'm not sure if studies have been done regarding the effect of bleaching during pregnancy, but I would postpone the procedure until after the baby has been born. Full Answer

Almost no dental insurance will cover bleaching of teeth, because it is considered a strictly cosmetic procedure. Still, it doesn't hurt to have your dental office check into it. Full Answer

Prior to laser bleaching, the teeth are cleaned with pumice. Then the gums are protected. Next, the bleaching gel is applied to the teeth. Finally, the laser light is shined on the gel covered teeth. The process may be repeated several times in a... Full Answer

If your teeth are discolored, tooth whitening may help. "Whitening" is any process that makes teeth look whiter. Whitening may be safely performed in a dental office or at home. There are two major groups of whitening products:... Full Answer

Home-use bleaching whiteners dispensed by dentists usually contain the active ingredient carbamide peroxide. Home-use whiteners are not as strong as in-office whiteners, since they are meant to be used over a period of days or weeks. If you use... Full Answer

Newly whitened teeth may absorb stains more easily. To keep your teeth white as long as possible, avoid tobacco and stain-causing beverages (such as coffee, cola, tea and red wine) for several days after whitening. Keep in mind that teeth usually... Full Answer

Using a tray-based teeth whitening system can remove stains and make your teeth a lighter, whiter shade. You can purchase tray-based teeth whitening systems over the counter or from your dentist. Using a tray-based teeth whitening system can make your... Full Answer