Category: Teeth Whitening

Opalescence Boost Teeth Whitening is a quick and easy way to enhance your smile and get rid of stains. If you’ve tried over-the-counter teeth whiteners without results, then our team can help. At South Meadows Dental & Orthodontics, we offer both in-office professional whitening treatments and at-home custom trays to completely transform your smile. It’s normal to wonder what to expect after Opalescence Boost teeth whitening, so here’s what to know and how to take care of your results.

Avoid Foods and Drinks That Stain

Certain foods and drinks can cause stains to accumulate over time, so it’s important to enjoy them in moderation and prevent stains from coming back. It’s most important to avoid these foods and drinks for the first 24-48 hours after treatment (that’s because your teeth will continue to whiten during this time). A good rule to follow is: if a food or drink would stain your white shirt, it will also stain your teeth! Here are some common foods and drinks to avoid after your treatment:

• Black tea and coffee
• Red wine
• Red (tomato) sauces
• Soy sauce
• Dark berries
• Tobacco
• Dark sodas

Additionally, some desensitizing products that contain stannous fluoride can cause stains and should be avoided.

Managing Sensitivity

It’s possible to have some sensitivity after treatment, but it typically fades within a few days. You may notice white spots on the gums, but these will also fade (within about 20-30 minutes). If you experience sensitivity when using your at-home treatments, it can be helpful to spread some petroleum jelly (Vaseline®) on your gums before inserting the trays.

Make sure to take care when brushing your teeth for the first few days after treatment and gently use a soft bristle tooth brush to avoid discomfort. Additionally, be careful when flossing and use a seesaw motion to glide floss between the teeth rather than “snapping” it.

When Will I See Results?

If your ideal shade is very different from your current shade, it may take more than one appointment to achieve your intended results. Our team can give you the best idea of how many sessions you can expect. Once you achieve your ideal shade, it’s best to return for touch-up treatments (either in-office or at-home) every 6-12 months. This can help reverse new stains and prevent them from setting in.

Schedule an Appointment

Our team can help you explore your teeth whitening options with Opalescence Boost. To schedule an appointment, contact our Reno office by calling or filling out our online contact form.

Having a beautiful smile is a primary goal for many people. Getting cosmetic dental procedures is a popular option for those who wish to have beautiful teeth. One of the main concerns people focus on is the whiteness of their teeth. Teeth discoloration can obscure this and cause people to feel that their smile is imperfect. At South Meadows Dental we help people get rid of the discoloration of their teeth in order to feel confident in their smile.

Introduction to Teeth Discoloration

Discoloration of the teeth is very common and happens to everyone for a variety of reasons. Of course, for some people, this yellowing may occur more easily than for others. The reasons behind this have to do with a combination of personal lifestyle choices and natural elements that are well beyond anyone’s control. Here we will go over some of the reasons why our teeth tend to yellow and ways that we can both prevent and treat teeth yellowing with the help of dentists at South Meadows Dental.

Causes for Tooth Discoloration

What lies at the root of tooth discoloration? While teeth may be discolored, that does not necessarily mean that they have cavities or are showing signs of infections. Discolored teeth can be caused by a variety of things. While a very common reason that teeth become discolored can be attributed to bad personal hygiene and from the introduction of outside sources, like coffee or tea, teeth can also be discolored from internal problems found within a patient. So, while discolored teeth may not always be a sign of tooth infection, they can be a sign of other conditions.

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Discoloration

Again, while most people tend to jump to the conclusion that yellowed teeth are caused by lack of brushing, that assumption could not be farther from the truth. In most cases, yellowing of the teeth is something that happens very naturally over the passage of time. While we may think that we can avoid a lot of things that would change the natural color of our enamel, the fact is that time and natural activity does take its toll. No matter how careful we think we are, we all experience some degree of discoloration for our teeth. One cause for this is extrinsic discoloration, which is discoloration caused by outside forces such as drinking coffee, tea, and smoking cigarettes. Intrinsic discoloration is the discoloration type that happens for internal reasons such as aging, trauma to the teeth, infections, and as a symptom of certain medications.

Preventative Measures for Discoloration

Knowing the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic tooth discoloration can help you to better prevent worsening of discoloration of your own teeth. Many dentists will suggest alternative solutions for consuming dark beverages, for example. If you drink coffee, soda, and other highly acidic drinks on a regular basis, dentists at South Meadows will suggest that you try to drink these in moderation. The less that your teeth are exposed to acids, the less wear and tear you will cause to your teeth. If the drink is dark, which is the case with coffee or tea drinks, then this is especially important. Not only are you damaging your teeth with common exposure to these drinks, but you are also staining them in the process.

Treatment Options Available

Yellowed teeth is a very common thing and it is nothing to be ashamed of. As mentioned in the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic causes mentioned above, as we age, our teeth naturally do change color. Thankfully, there are options out there for everyone of all ages to take advantage of. Treatment options include teeth whitening sessions at South Meadows Dental, which is possible for those who are seeking to restore their bright white smile. With assistance from one of our board-certified dentists at South Meadows Dental, you will be able to find a treatment option that is best for you and your personal dental plan.