Teeth Whitening in Wauwatosa

Teeth Whitening

Our teeth go through a lot, and over time they tend to become stained and yellowed. The natural aging process, as well as the consumption of darkly-colored beverages and foods like coffee, wine, and tea,  can all contribute to our smiles becoming dull and discolored. If your teeth are stained and you want to smile more brightly, teeth whitening from Wauwatosa dentists at McCue Dental Health may be just what you need. Call us today at (414) 456-1091.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Though there are hundreds of teeth whitening products on the market and available over-the-counter, McCue Dental Health uses professional-grade whitening agents to restore your smile.

Professional whitening products use peroxides, which are highly-volatile oxygen compounds, that react violently when they contact an organic stain found on the enamel of your teeth. This reaction breaks the chemical bond that holds the stain on your tooth, removing it and brightening the enamel as a result. By doing so, these compounds can treat almost any external tooth stain.

Understanding The Process – In-Office And Take-Home Whitening

We offer both in-office and at-home teeth whitening. Both of these services offer similar results, but in-office whitening will give you the desired results a bit more quickly.

During an in-office whitening procedure, Wauwatosa cosmetic dentist Dr. McCue will start by cleaning and polishing your teeth. Then, a protective solution is applied to your gums, and he will “paint” a high-strength whitening compound onto your teeth. An ultraviolet (UV) light is used to excite the oxygen molecules, further enhancing its whitening power. After this, you’ll rinse away the whitening compound and your smile will be brighter and whiter. This process typically takes about an hour.

Take-home teeth whitening provides more gradual results, which some patients prefer because it is more subtle and natural-looking.  For this treatment, Dr. McCue will take dental impressions of your teeth in order to create customized whitening trays that are designed to fit perfectly around your teeth. You’ll take these trays home and fill them with a clinical-grade whitening gel. After just a few weeks, your smile will be up to 10 shades whiter!  

The Benefits Of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatment for several reasons:

  • Affordable – Teeth whitening, compared to most other cosmetic treatments, is very affordable and efficient.
  • Non-invasive – Your treatment will be completely non-invasive and requires no drills, needles, or any other dental tools.
  • Restores self-confidence – Stained, yellowed teeth can make you look older and feel less confident. With a single whitening treatment, you can reverse years of tooth stains.

 

How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?

This will vary for each patient, but most people have a much brighter smile for at least 1-2 years after treatment, and proper at-home oral care and hygiene can extend your results for even longer.

If you want to ensure that your results last as long as possible, there are a few steps you will need to take. First, make sure that you brush twice a day for two minutes, and floss once per day. Brushing helps prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar, which can discolor your smile.

You can also integrate an ADA-approved whitening toothpaste that contains peroxide into your brushing routine. Note that some of these products are not meant to be used every day, so consult with the manufacturer’s packaging for more instructions.

Seeing Dr. McCue every six months for preventive care will also help keep your smile strong and healthy, since he can check for dental health issues, and your hygienist at McCue Dental Health will scale away plaque and tartar and polish your teeth to keep them bright.

We also recommend cutting back on staining beverages like coffee, tea, wine, and cola. Drinking these beverages with a straw can also help minimize contact with the teeth, which prevents stains.

Finally, you should quit smoking or using any kind of oral tobacco product, if applicable. Tobacco use is very bad for your overall oral health, and can raise your risk of cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer, to name just a few issues. Not only that, but it stains the teeth quickly, which will ruin your investment in teeth whitening. Quitting smoking after you get your teeth whitened is a great choice.

How Often Should I Have My Teeth Whitened?

Generally, it’s not a good idea to whiten your teeth too frequently, either by using at-home kits or by seeing a dentist.

If you want to keep your smile as bright as possible, you may need to have your teeth touched-up every year or so, but most patients can easily go 2 years between professional whitening treatments with proper at-home care.

Always follow Dr. McCue’s instructions, and don’t combine professional whitening with at-home whitening kits. If you over whiten your teeth, you could permanently damage the enamel, affecting its appearance and causing it to become brittle and weak.

Does Teeth Whitening Make Teeth Sensitive?

Teeth whitening does temporarily cause sensitivity in most patients, and this is the most noticeable in those who may already have sensitive teeth. It’s thought that this is because teeth whitening demineralizes the tooth slightly, causing the enamel to weaken slightly and exposing “dentinal tubules,” which connect the exterior of the teeth to the nerves inside the tooth.

However, this does not last long. Most patients will feel normal after just a few days, though patients who already have sensitive teeth may experience tenderness for a longer period of time. Fluoride treatments may be able to help with sensitivity, and Dr. McCue may also recommend that you brush with a toothpaste like Sensodyne to relieve excessive tooth sensitivity.

Schedule Your Appointment Today – Restore Your Smile!

If you’re interested in teeth whitening in Wauwatosa, schedule an appointment with Dr. McCue right away. In just a single treatment, you can restore your smile and feel better about how you look. Take a look at some of our before & after photos, and see some of the results that our patients have achieved with our teeth whitening services.

To schedule your appointment, contact us at (414) 456-1091, or come to our office at 10625 West North Avenue, Suite 300, Wauwatosa, WI 53226. We hope to see you soon!

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