Do you have stubborn tooth stains and you’re looking for a simple way to make your smile brighter? We offer professional teeth whitening in Boulder, CO, for patients at Gunbarrel Dental Center. This cosmetic dentistry treatment can lighten your tooth enamel and give you a more beautiful smile. Dr. Rachel Barone provides in-office and take-home options to suit your needs.
What Causes Stained Teeth?
Teeth can become stained or discolored for many different reasons. Some stains are on the outside of the tooth, while others happen inside the tooth and are harder to treat. Understanding what causes stained teeth can help you prevent or reduce discoloration.
- Dental Injuries: If you crack or chip a tooth, it can damage the enamel, the hard, outer layer of your tooth. This damage can expose the inner layer, called dentin, which is naturally darker in color. When dentin shows through, the tooth may look gray, yellow, or even brown. Your tooth may also darken over time as a reaction to the injury.
- Genetics: Some people are born with teeth that are more likely to stain or discolor. Your enamel might be thinner or less white because of your genetic makeup. Thinner enamel makes the dentin underneath more visible and gives your teeth a slightly darker look.
- Foods and Drinks: Dark-colored foods and drinks, like coffee, tea, red wine, berries, and tomato sauce, can stain your teeth. These contain strong pigments called chromogens that stick to your enamel and build up over time. Even healthy foods like blueberries can cause staining if you eat them often without brushing afterward. Drinking through a straw or rinsing with water after meals can help reduce stains.
- Tobacco Use: Smoking cigarettes, vaping, or using chewing tobacco can quickly turn your teeth yellow or brown. This happens because of the nicotine and tar found in tobacco, which cling to your enamel. Over time, the stains become harder to remove and may require professional cleaning. Tobacco use can also dry out your mouth, which makes staining worse and causes dry mouth.
The two types of tooth stains are extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic stains are on the surface of your teeth. These stains come from things like food, drinks, or tobacco. They can usually be removed with whitening treatments or professional cleanings.
Intrinsic stains are inside the tooth. They’re caused by things like injuries, certain medications, tooth decay, or even genetics. Intrinsic stains don’t go away with regular whitening and may need other treatments, like teeth bonding or veneers.
Zoom! QuickPro Teeth Whitening
At Gunbarrel Dental Center, we use Philips Zoom! QuickPro. This system offers a fast and effective way to brighten your smile. You can get in-office and take-home teeth whitening treatment in our Boulder, CO, dental office.
In-Office Whitening
For in-office whitening, we first clean your teeth so you don’t have particles on your teeth that impact your results. We check your current tooth shade using a guide and you pick your desired shade. Then we dry your teeth and protect your gums to reduce sensitivity.
After that, we apply a special two-layer whitening solution. The first layer is a 20% hydrogen peroxide varnish, which whitens your teeth. The second layer is a sealer that keeps the whitening solution in place. You wait for about 30 minutes, and then you can wipe off the varnish with a damp cloth or brush your teeth.
In-office tooth whitening is a great option for you if you have a special event like a birthday, wedding, or graduation. You can get whitening results in just one office visit.
Take-Home Whitening
If you prefer to whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home, Dr. Barone can create custom trays for you. She’ll take impressions of your teeth to make the trays, which fit your teeth perfectly. You’ll also get whitening gel to place in the trays. Dr. Barone will explain how long to wear the trays each day based on your whitening goals.
Take-home treatment is a more cost-effective form of teeth whitening. You can also benefit from this type of whitening if you don’t need immediate results or have sensitive teeth.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Do you have more questions? We’re here to help you learn more. Read answers to common questions about teeth whitening in Boulder, CO.
Am I a candidate for teeth whitening?
We recommend teeth whitening for patients who are 18 years or older and have healthy teeth and gums. If you have dental problems like gum disease or tooth decay, we’ll need to treat those first. Pregnant or nursing women and patients with certain health conditions should talk to their doctor before considering whitening treatment.
How do I treat intrinsic stains?
Whitening treatments work best for surface stains, not intrinsic stains. If you have deep stains or damage inside the tooth, we might suggest porcelain veneers, tooth bonding, or crowns. These treatments cover your teeth to give a more even and brighter look.
How soon will I see results?
You’ll see a difference on the same day with in-office whitening. Your teeth will keep getting brighter for a few hours after treatment, with full results showing within a day. If you choose take-home kits, you’ll start to see changes after a few weeks of consistent use.
How long do the results last?
Professional teeth whitening can last anywhere from six months to two years, depending on your habits. In-office treatments generally last longer than over-the-counter products. What you eat and drink also affects how long your teeth stay white. Coffee, tea, red wine, and smoking can stain your teeth.
Brush twice a day, floss daily, and visit the dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings to maintain your teeth. If needed, you can also get touch-up treatments or use at-home whitening kits to maintain your results.
Get Brighter Teeth at Gunbarrel Dental Center
Are you ready for whiter teeth? Call Gunbarrel Dental Center at 720-881-0614 to schedule your teeth whitening appointment. You can also book a visit with Dr. Barone online. We’re here to help you get your dream smile.