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Teeth Whitening in Houston

Smile Brighter in EaDo

Teeth whitening is the most common cosmetic dentistry treatment in the U.S. Many people receive teeth whitening treatment each year in order to achieve a more attractive, bright, and white smile. We at EaDo Family Dental, are the best dentists in East Downtown Houston for teeth whitening treatments! Learn more about teeth whitening from Dr. Bianca Williams and Dr. John Ma today by calling (713) 474-2334!

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

There are hundreds of teeth whitening products out there. However, they all rely upon the same basic principles to whiten teeth.

Every type of teeth whitening product uses some kind of “peroxide” to whiten teeth. The most commonly used peroxides are carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. Essentially, these peroxides “bleach” your teeth to remove surface stains.

Both types of peroxide contain oxygen molecules. These oxygen molecules react violently when they come into contact with surface stains on your teeth. This reaction destroys the molecular bonds that hold the stain or discoloration onto your tooth. As a result, the stain is “lifted” and removed from your tooth enamel.

What Can Be Treated With Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is the best way to treat stains on the outside of the teeth. Tooth stains can be caused by a variety of different things, such as:

  • Smoking and the use of tobacco
  • Yellowing caused by oral neglect or aging
  • Staining from dark, strongly colored foods and beverages (coffee, tea, wine, some kinds of berries, etc)

However, teeth whitening cannot treat stains that are on the interior of the teeth. Discoloration from internal issues such as amalgam fillings, tooth decay, or staining from antibiotics, like tetracycline, cannot be treated with teeth whitening. These issues require a crown or another cosmetic treatment.

What’s The Difference Between At-Home And In-Office Teeth Whitening?

Our Houston dentists offer both in-office and at-home teeth whitening, and each treatment does the same thing. They give you a brighter smile! So what’s the difference?

In-office teeth whitening typically uses powerful peroxide-based agents and a UV light or another light source. This UV light is used to “cure” the whitening compound. It excites oxygen molecules, which produces faster results. Treatment takes about 45 minutes.

In contrast, at-home whitening uses custom whitening trays, and no UV “curing” process. You just have to wear the trays at home, based on Dr. Ma or Dr. William’s instructions. Because of the difference in process, results typically take about a week.

How Long Do Teeth Whitening Treatments Last?

Partially, this depends on how well you care for your teeth. If you take the proper steps to keep your teeth clean and bright, whitening can easily last 2-3 years or longer. The best way to keep your smile bright is to brush and floss regularly, and see the team at EaDo Family Dental for a cleaning every six months.

There are also some other steps you can take to preserve your bright, white smile. Drinking dark beverages like wine, coffee or tea with a straw can help prevent the dark liquid from contacting your teeth and causing stains. Ceasing tobacco use, if applicable, is also recommended to prevent your teeth from yellowing. Regular teeth whitening touch-ups at EaDo Family Dental every year or so will remove any stains that may have built up over time, and make sure that your teeth look bright and beautiful.

Over-The-Counter vs. Professional Whitening

There are a few major differences between professional treatments and OTC (over-the-counter) whitening treatments. First, over-the-counter teeth whitening kits often have either a very low peroxide content, which means they have little whitening power, or they have a dangerously-high level of peroxide, which could damage your teeth and gums if used improperly.

When you have your teeth whitened professionally at EaDo Family Dental, Dr. Williams or Dr. Ma can tailor the level of peroxide to your specific needs. In contrast, OTC kits require a lot of guesswork on your part, and if you do not figure out the proper treatment regiment, you could accidentally over-whiten your teeth and cause permanent damage to your enamel. Overall, professional whitening offers better results, faster treatment times, and customized care that ensures you avoid over-whitening, tooth sensitivity, and gum damage.  

Does Teeth Whitening Have Any Side Effects?

If you have your teeth whitened professionally, serious side effects are very rare. You may experience some increased tooth sensitivity after treatment, but this can be treated with a special, gentle toothpaste like Sensodyne, and usually goes away after just a few days.

What Can I Expect From The Teeth Whitening Process?

We offer both take-home and in-office teeth whitening at EaDo Family Dental. The process for each is a bit different, so we’ll explain each one separately. Let’s start with in-office teeth whitening. This usually takes only one appointment, but you’ll typically schedule a separate appointment for your treatment after you’ve been approved.

At your appointment, Dr. Bianca Williams or Dr. John Ma will start by cleaning your teeth. Then, they will use a special liquid to protect your gums from the whitener, and use retractors to keep your tongue, lips, and cheeks away from your teeth. Next, they will apply a powerful whitener to your teeth and activate it with a UV light.

After a few minutes, the whitener will be rinsed away. They will repeat this process until you’ve reached the proper level of brightness. This usually takes one appointment, but some patients with severe staining may need multiple whitening appointments. Then, you’ll go home and enjoy your bright new smile.

Take-home treatment is a bit different. After you’re approved, Dr. Williams or Dr. Ma will take impressions of your teeth. This is usually done right after your initial consultation. These molds of your teeth will be used by our partner dental lab to build a set of custom-fitted whitening trays. This will take a few weeks, though.

Once your trays have been built, you’ll come back to our office. Dr. Ma or Dr. Williams will check the fit of your trays, then give you a set of whitening products, as well as instructions on how to use them. Typically, you’ll whiten your teeth for about an hour a day.

Simply follow their instructions to whiten your smile. You should start seeing results within a week, with peak results in about 2-3 weeks. However, this may vary depending on the specifics of your treatment. Dr. Williams or Dr. Ma will let you know what to expect during your consultation at EaDo Family Dental.

What Are The Benefits Of Teeth Whitening?

The most obvious benefit of teeth whitening is that it eliminates stains and discoloration. Whether you used to smoke, you drink a lot of coffee, tea, and wine, or your teeth have just become discolored over time for any other reason, your teeth will look bright, beautiful, and white once again.

This restores your self-confidence and pride in your appearance. If you have stained teeth, you may be less likely to smile, laugh, speak, or even eat around others. You may feel self-conscious. But with whitening, you can feel good about your teeth again. You’ll even look younger, since tooth stains are often associated with aging.

Teeth whitening is really fast, affordable, and non-invasive, too. It’s an excellent way to try out cosmetic dentistry in Houston, even if you don’t want to commit to a treatment like veneers, or Invisalign, or if you have a tight budget. For all of these reasons and quite a few more, teeth whitening from EaDo Family Dental is a great option for anyone who has stained teeth and wants to feel better about their smile.

A Note From Our Dentists.

“Personally it's fulfilling when I can build a connection with each patient or help children and adults feel good about their experience at the dentist.”

Dr. Williams

“It’s rewarding in general to meet new people and help them. Dentistry directly affects their lives and smiles in their everyday life.”

Dr. Ma