Feeling confident about your smile makes a big difference in bettering your quality of life. At Baltimore Dental Co., we are proud to offer extensive cosmetic dentistry services to help our patients achieve their dream smiles. As your trusted cosmetic dentist in Glyndon, MD, Dr. Leah Romay is happy to provide a cosmetic consultation for your smile.
For patients who are self-conscious about the yellowing or discoloration of their smiles, Dr. Romay may suggest teeth whitening. Our teeth whitening services are an affordable and efficient way to revitalize your smile and help you feel more confident personally and professionally.
Teeth Whitening in Glyndon, MD
With our teeth whitening services, we utilize dental impressions to create bleaching trays that fit your smile perfectly. Unlike storebought teeth whitening solutions, we do not take a one-size-fits-all approach to teeth whitening. Instead, we ensure that our bleaching trays are designed specifically for your smile to avoid blotchy or inconsistent whitening outcomes.
Dr. Romay is happy to answer any questions you might have about our teeth whitening services. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about this service:
Why are my teeth yellow?
As we age, it is very common to experience tooth discoloration. This happens because common foods and beverages that we consume on a daily basis contain staining agents that attach to our dental structures.
Over time, these staining agents can dull the appearance of your smile. Even patients who have the most thorough oral hygiene routines can experience tooth discoloration. It is nothing to be ashamed of and can be easily resolved with teeth whitening solutions.
How can I maintain my smile following a teeth whitening appointment?
The best way to maintain your smile following a teeth whitening appointment is to avoid substances known for calling tooth discoloration. Foods like dyed candies, tomato-based sauces, and red berries are known for staining the surfaces of your teeth.
Additionally, beverages like sodas, tea, and coffee should be consumed through a straw to help avoid the liquids from staining your smile. Cigarette smoke is also known to cause tooth discoloration as well as other major health risks, so we recommend avoiding that as well.
Can I get a teeth whitening treatment if I have cavities?
No, you should not. You should treat your cavities before getting whitening treatments. When you don’t treat your cavities, they can cause tooth decay and make the hard tissues of your teeth more prone to fracture and more porous. This could be an opening for the whitening agents to set in and irritate the pulp and cause hypersensitivity.
How long does teeth whitening last?
Teeth whitening lasts for approximately 2 to 3 years. However, its longevity depends on the patient’s care and habits. Teeth can stain again if the patient keeps ingesting substances, such as wine, sodas, tomatoes, or tobacco. This process can happen in just 6 months if the consumption is very frequent.
Is teeth whitening permanent?
No. Usually, teeth whitening treatments last for up to 2 to 3 years on average. If the patient continues to frequently consume foods and drinks that stain teeth, they can stain again over time. Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine can help teeth maintain their color for a long period.
Does insurance cover teeth whiten procedures?
No. Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry treatment. Most patients use it for aesthetic purposes. Therefore, it is completely optional and it doesn’t improve the patient’s oral health. Most insurances don’t cover procedures that don’t fix or prevent any dental health issues.
Should I drink coffee through a straw after teeth whitening?
After teeth whitening, we recommend that patients drink coffee and other deeply colored beverages through a straw. This minimizes the contact that the staining liquid has with the surface of your teeth, reducing the potential for staining. For the first 24 hours after teeth whitening, your enamel is more porous and susceptible to staining.
Is it better to brush your teeth before or after whitening?
We recommend that patients brush their teeth before any whitening procedure. This removes any plaque that may be present, before whitening occurs. Plaque can stain teeth, so it is important to remove it before whitening.
Schedule An Appointment
Don’t be self-conscious about your smile. Our team of cosmetic dental professionals is here to help you achieve any cosmetic goals that you have. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Leah Romay today. We look forward to seeing you soon.