Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening treatment can eliminate stains caused by foods or poor oral hygiene. At Advance Dental, with two locations in Houston, Texas, general dentist Bryan Chu, DDS, and his team offer several types of teeth whitening to teens and adults. They might recommend in-office teeth whitening or take-home teeth whitening trays, depending on your needs. To see if you can benefit from teeth whitening, call the nearest office or book online today.

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure that removes stains from the surfaces of your teeth. 

There are many types of teeth whitening treatments, but almost all of them use hydrogen peroxide gel. When applied to your teeth, hydrogen peroxide oxidizes the molecules inside your tooth enamel. This process eliminates yellows and browns, making your smile appear brighter.

Why do permanent teeth change color?

Everyone’s teeth change color because of the aging process. When you speak, bite, or chew, your enamel wears away and the yellow dentin underneath becomes increasingly visible. 

Your teeth might also develop stains because of:

• Tobacco use
• Drinking beverages such as red wine, coffee, or cola
• Taking certain prescription medication
• Poor oral hygiene

Without intervention and treatment, those stains become even more noticeable over time. Teeth whitening can eliminate years of buildup, improving the aesthetic appearance of your smile. 

What are the types of teeth whitening?

At Advance Dental, the team offers several types of teeth whitening, including:

Take-home teeth whitening kits

A take-home teeth whitening kit contains two plastic mouthpieces and a tube of teeth whitening solution. You line the mouthpieces with the whitening solution and wear them 3-4 hours a day when it’s most convenient. Two or three weeks later, your smile looks significantly brighter.

In-office teeth whitening

If you want to make your smile up to eight shades* lighter in under an hour, consider in-office teeth whitening. During in-office whitening, your Advance Dental provider applies a hydrogen peroxide gel to your teeth. After the gel sits for about 30 minutes, they point a light at it, causing a whitening reaction. 

If necessary, your provider repeats the same steps until you achieve your results.

Are the results of teeth whitening permanent?

The results of teeth whitening treatment aren’t permanent, but they often last several months* if you practice good oral hygiene. The team at Advance Dental recommends brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing regularly, and visiting the nearest office every six months for an oral exam and preventive teeth cleaning.

Call the nearest Advance Dental office to learn more about teeth whitening or book online today.

*Individual results may vary