Fast Teeth Whitening | Suggestions From Your Dentist Near Me

Fast Teeth Whitening in Lincoln, NE

All You Need to Know.

As you age, you may notice that your teeth are not quite the same shade of white as they once were. Typically, noticeable discoloration begins to occur in the late 20s and early 30s. A variety of factors can speed up the discoloration process.

These factors can include chemical staining due to drinking dark-colored liquids, smoking, a genetic predisposition to early yellowing, trauma to the teeth, illness, certain medications. The good news is that most teeth can return to a whiter shade with professional whitening treatments.

Dr. Ben Joekel and Dr. Jodi Day standing outside of Coddington Dental in Lincoln, NE. Dr. Day and Dr. Joekel offer a variety of family dental services in West Lincoln, NE.

Excellent solutions for fast teeth whitening?

Professional Teeth Whitening with a dentist near me in Lincoln, NE
Take-Home Teeth Whitening Kit
Over the counter Teeth Whitening

What is the fastest way to whiten teeth?

In-office whitening is the go-to for fast teeth whitening. With applications of a 35%-45% hydrogen peroxide solution, it penetrates the porous outer layer of your teeth and breaks apart stain compounds using a chemical reaction called oxidation.

Number One Solution for Fast Teeth Whitening: Professional, in-office whitening

Teeth whitening is done in a dental office and only takes an hour. During this process, an application of a strong bleaching solution is applied to the teeth. This leads to dramatic and instant results. This procedure should be under the direct supervision of the dentist due to the strength of the bleaching solution. Any family dentist at Coddington Dental would be happy to help, should you decide to proceed with teeth whitening.

Professional Teeth Whitening

Second Solution: Custom whitening kit made for you

With this treatment, custom-molded teeth whitening trays are created for you to take home. Filled with a highly-consecrated whitening gel, custom trays are a better option than over-the-counter products. The trays are worn over the course of a few weeks for specified periods of time. The amount of time is dependent on the level of fast teeth whitening desired. The dental trays ensure maximum contact with the teeth as well as consistency with results.

Third Solution: Over-the-counter whitening

Although you can use over-the-counter treatments as a supplemental whitening enhancer, dentists do not recommend it. The concentration of over-the-counter whitening agents may be significantly lower than what a dentist can provide in their office. Due to the lower concentration, many patients won’t receive the results they desire. Over-the-counter products are not custom, thus they often lead to more sensitivity and burning of the gums. If you choose to purchase an over-the-counter teeth whitening product, make sure it has a seal of acceptance from ADA (American Dental Association).

If whitening is not a good option for you:

Because it is possible to have teeth resistant to whitening, veneers are a great option to give you a brighter, whiter smile. Porcelain veneers offer a dramatic change while being an instant solution to whiter teeth. They are as thin as contact lenses and bond directly to the tooth with minimal drilling. Veneers mask imperfections and add strength and durability. Made of high-grade porcelain, they look natural, blend beautifully with the surrounding teeth, and are resistant to staining or discoloration.

Although our discussion includes a few options for teeth whitening, you might still be wondering which one of them, if any, will be effective for you.

commonly asked questions about teeth whitening

Before and after of teeth whitening in Lincoln, NE. Teeth whitening can be an excellent way to improve your smile and give you a boost in self esteem.

Can I whiten a filling or a crown?

Unfortunately, no. Whitening will only occur on natural surfaces and tooth structure. Fillings or crowns that you have will not react to whitening products. Therefore, whitening of those particular surfaces is ineffective. If you have a visible crown or filling, you may want to talk to your dentist. He or she might have other options available for improving your smile.

How old do you need to be to do teeth whitening?

It is recommended not to begin the whitening process before age 13. This may vary depending on the patient. Due to the enlarged pulp chamber in children and young adults, the nerves of the teeth can be very sensitive, and it may not be advisable.

Why does bleaching create sensitivity?

Reason #1: Dehydration of the tooth. Large amounts and high concentrations of peroxides naturally dehydrate the teeth. Dehydration occurs during bleaching. The use of an LED or UV light can make the problem much worse and cause even more sensitivity!

Reason #2: Gums become sensitive due to teeth whitening solution spilling over. For this reason, it is essential to have custom trays. It is also vital that you don’t add too much teeth whitening solution.

Is there anyone who should not whiten their teeth?

It is recommended not to begin the whitening process before age 13. Young adults and children have pulp chambers that are enlarged. Thus, the bleaching process can cause these teeth to be very sensitive. If there is any question, consult a dental professional because this can vary depending upon the patient.

Lactating and pregnant women are advised to avoid any whitening procedure.

What about other oral health concerns…should those be addressed before I consider making my smile brighter?

Anyone with gum disease, those that have incomplete dental work, damaged or broken teeth, or those who have restorations, roots that are exposed, or hypersensitivity are advised to seek dental care and treatment of these conditions before beginning any whitening procedure. Failure to address these conditions first could put you at risk for additional damage. Thus, causing severe side effects.

Whitening is not practical or advisable for those undergoing orthodontic treatment. You can consider whitening once treatment is complete.

If you have dental work that completely covers the front surfaces of the teeth, whitening will not be sufficient. Whitening agents do not alter fillings, crowns, veneers, bridgework, and implants. Whitening will only affect the natural tooth surface.

While this might not answer all of your questions, we hope it’s an excellent start. However, should you decide you still have more questions, our skilled, compassionate team awaits your call. We’d love to help you make your smile shine again.