How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
We use the GLO Science Professional Whitening system for in-office teeth bleaching or take-home bleaching. Whether you want to whiten your teeth in our office or in the comfort of your home, each whitening system can whiten your teeth up to 10 shades after completing treatment.
In-Office whitening takes less than an hour to complete. We use a specially formulated 30% hydrogen peroxide whitening gel to gently remove surface stains and brighten your teeth. After we apply the whitening solution to your teeth, we insert a universally-sized mouthpiece into the patient’s mouth. The mouthpiece then delivers a safe LED light and warming heat to accelerate the whitening process.
At-Home whitening is similar to our in-office whitening. We provide you with everything you need to achieve a smile that 5x whiter in the convenience of your home. You will first apply the whitening solution from our uniquely designed GLO Vials onto your teeth. From there, you will insert the mouthpiece that delivers light and heat to expedite your whitening treatment. It will automatically turn off after 8 minutes. You can repeat this process up to 4 times a day until you achieve your desired results.
Benefits of GLO Science Professional Whitening System
The GLO Science Professional Whitening system that we use offers a number of benefits over other retail and professional whitening systems. These benefits include:
- No sensitivity
- Fast and efficient
- 12 shades whiter in under an hour
- Patented and award-winning
- Whiten in office or at home
- Trusted by dental professionals worldwide
- Made in the USA
Who Is a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
If you have mild to moderately discolored teeth that you would like to lighten, you are probably a candidate. However, there are some factors that may prevent you from being a good candidate. You may not be an ideal candidate if:
- You are a heavy smoker
- You have gum disease or significant decay
- You have sensitive teeth
Since teeth whitening can result in some tooth sensitivity, if you already have teeth that are very sensitive, you should probably not undergo the procedure. In addition, if you are a heavy smoker, you will not see long-term results. Teeth whitening can certainly lighten your teeth even if you are a smoker, but if you cannot quit smoking or reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke, your teeth will inevitably become stained again.
Gum disease and tooth decay will need to be treated before you can undergo teeth whitening. If your tooth decay is extensive, you may need a full restorative plan that includes dental crowns and fillings. It can be used to match the rest of your natural teeth to the shade of your restorative dentistry work, though.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?
Teeth whitening can last for a long time with proper oral hygiene and maintenance. For best results, we recommend following these tips:
- Cut down on consumption of coffee, tea, red wine, and berries
- Reduce or eliminate junk food from your diet
- Brush twice a day and floss daily
- If you are a smoker, try to quit
- Visit Dr. Clancy for regular cleanings and checkups
- Use a custom at-home whitening tray as needed
For maintenance with an at-home whitening tray, we recommend getting a custom tray created in our office over buying one over the counter. This is because a tray customized to your teeth will give more effective and even results, and lessens the chances of irritating your gums since it’s designed specifically for your mouth.
Is It Safe?
Teeth whitening is perfectly safe when performed by an experienced cosmetic dentist using proven safe and effective professional systems. When performing this procedure, Dr. Clancy will:
- Make sure you are a good candidate
- Protect your gums
- Stop treatment if your teeth become too sensitive
- Provide follow-up instructions and care
It is a myth that teeth whitening will make your teeth brittle and weak. Professional whitening does not harm tooth enamel when performed properly, and it does not alter the structure of the tooth in any way. The majority of our patients are very happy with their tooth whitening outcomes.
Schedule Your Tooth Whitening Appointment
If you are interested in quickly and safely lightening your teeth, call Dr. Clancy today at (781) 396-8558 to schedule an appointment. We serve patients in Woburn and Winchester.