Dental bleaching, also known as tooth whitening, is a common procedure at Cedar Pearl Dentistry. A child's deciduous teeth are generally whiter than adult teeth that follow. As a person ages the adult teeth often become darker due to changes in the mineral structure of the tooth, as the enamel becomes less porous. Teeth can also become stained by bacterial pigments, foods, liquids, and tobacco. Certain antibiotic medications (like tetracycline) can also cause teeth stains or a reduction in the brilliance of the enamel

There are many methods to whiten teeth: bleaching strips, bleaching pen, bleaching gel, laser bleaching, and natural bleaching. Traditionally, at-home whitening involves applying bleaching gel to the teeth using thin guard trays. At-home whitening can also be done by applying small strips that go over the front teeth. Oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide are used to lighten the shade of the tooth

At Cedar Pearl, we use Philips Zoom teeth whitening to offer you a full range of options based on your needs and your lifestyle. Professional teeth whitening with Philips Zoom is safe, pain-free, sustainable and used by over 10 million people. The effects of bleaching can last for several months, but may vary depending on the lifestyle of the patient. Factors that decrease whitening include smoking and the ingestion of dark colored liquids like coffee, tea, and red wine.

Internal staining of dentin can discolor the teeth from inside out. Internal bleaching can remedy this. If heavy staining or tetracycline damage is present on a patient's teeth, and whitening is ineffective, there are other methods of whitening teeth. Bonding, when a thing coating of composite material is applied to the front of a person's teeth and then cured with a blue light can be performed to mask the staining. Porcelain veneers can also mask tooth discoloration.

Philips Zoom professional whitening is a fast, effective and safe way to whiten your teeth. Your dental professional will either apply the treatment for you, or fit you with customized trays so you can do the treatment at home.

Results from professional treatments can be immediate (up to 8 shades whiter in 45 minutes), and because a dental professional is involved, the process is safe, reliable and hassle free.

At your next visit, please ask any of our staff and they can explain different methods of teeth whitening.