Tooth Whitening

Springfield, Holyoke, Longmeadow, and Wilbraham, MA

Teeth Whitening Questions

Could I just whiten my teeth with store-bought products?

You could try, but how satisfied would you be with the results? The trays in store-bought kits are generic and almost certainly will not fit your teeth. That means the whitening gel will be in uneven contact with your teeth, which will create uneven whitening. In any case, the gels are not as effective as professional-strength gels used for an in-office tooth whitening procedure.

Whitening toothpastes contain abrasive ingredients that gradually scrape off your tooth enamel and the yellow dentin will start to show through. If you want to whiten your teeth to their maximum and have a really clean, bright smile, a professional procedure is the way to go.

We offer BriteSmile in-office tooth whitening (in our East Longmeadow office) and also take-home kits. Your dentist will have customized trays made to fit your teeth snugly and keep the whitening gel in good contact with your teeth. You can use the kit when it is convenient for you and achieve dramatic results.

How does tooth whitening work?

What actually whitens the teeth is oxygen. The bleaching agent in the gel releases oxygen into your tooth enamel and the oxygen breaks up the molecular bonds of whatever pigments are staining your teeth. The pigments have large molecules but the smaller molecules look white. Your teeth will whiten according to how well the enamel can absorb oxygen.

Why do our teeth get stained?

There are several reasons our teeth become stained. The most common reason is the pigments in our food and drink. Strongly pigmented drinks like coffee and red wine, and foods like blackberries stain the teeth repeatedly so the discoloration builds up. Much of this staining can be removed by our dental hygienist when you come for your professional cleanings.

Another reason is aging, because over the years, our tooth enamel wears thinner, allowing the yellow dentin to show through. If you smoke or chew tobacco, your teeth will become yellow/brown. Some medications can stain the teeth also, and when they are given in childhood, they can stain the developing teeth. These are deep stains and harder to remove.

Will tooth whitening damage my fillings or crowns?

No. All the materials used for dental restorations are unresponsive to tooth whitening. Porcelain is highly stain-resistant, meaning that it does not interact chemically with foods or with any whitening agent. So if you have porcelain veneers or tooth crowns, they will remain the same shade of white that they were originally. Gold alloy crowns and metal amalgam fillings are not affected by any type of tooth whitening. Your white fillings will stay white and any restorations like dental bridges or dental implants will be unaffected.

Is tooth whitening expensive?

The cost depends on what method you choose for teeth whitening. We offer three excellent choices with a price range from $75 to $700:

• Crest Whitestrips
• Take-home kits with custom trays
• In-office BriteSmile tooth whitening

How long will my tooth whitening results last?

That depends on how often you eat or drink strongly pigmented substances, on whether you use tobacco, and on the effectiveness of your dental hygiene. Potentially your tooth whitening results could last for several years. If you have an in-office treatment, we will give you a follow-up kit to use at home for touch-ups and that will help maintain your bright white smile. If you come for regular professional cleanings, that will also help.

If you would like to schedule a free teeth whitening consultation with Dr. Haluch, please call or email our cosmetic dentists today. We have cosmetic dentistry offices in Springfield, Wilbraham, and Longmeadow, MA, and we look forward to meeting with you.