Tooth Whitening Questions

Will whitening procedures damage my teeth?

No FDA-approved teeth whitening procedures will do any structural damage to your teeth. This includes anything you might buy over the counter and any professional whitening techniques. Many patients feel some tooth sensitivity after a whitening treatment. However, any sensitivity or pain will pass, and should not be mistaken for damage

How much tooth sensitivity should I expect?

In general, the longer the treatment, the more tooth and gum sensitivity tends to occur. This varies from patient to patient. Any severe sensitivity should go away within a day or two. We can provide desensitizing gels to manage any discomfort you might experience.

How long will my teeth remain white?

Teeth whitening is not a permanent solution for stained teeth, so one should not expect their teeth to stay white forever. Maintaining your whitened teeth will require that you make some lifestyle changes. Regular tobacco users, coffee drinkers, and red wine drinkers who continue to use these products after their whitening procedure should expect their teeth to return to their pre-bleached state eventually. However, with proper care, your teeth should remain noticeably whiter for several months, even years.

How many shades should I go? How white is too white?

Going for maximum whiteness is generally not a good idea for most patients because it does not look natural. As with any cosmetic procedure, the idea is to enhance your features in a way that looks natural. A smile that is too white will draw attention to itself in ways you may not have intended. An experienced cosmetic dentist knows this, and will suggest which shade of white will look best for your smile. Of course, if the dentist suggests a shade that you think is not white enough, you will ultimately have the final say.

Are take-home whitening kits as effective as professional whitening procedures?

In short - no. They take much longer to produce results that are not as consistent as professional whitening. In-office whitening can do in one hour what a take-home tray may never accomplish. If you want quick, consistent results, we recommend in-office treatment.

For more information about tooth whitening, please visit our whitening page. If you are interested in an in-office whitening procedure, please contact Dr. Green today to arrange an appointment. Dr. Green serves cosmetic dentistry patients in Caldwell, West Essex, Essex County, Morris County, and Passaic County, New Jersey.