Professional Teeth Whitening: You'll Wonder Why You Waited So Long

Every year in the United States, more than 37 million people opt for teeth whitening treatments to lift away years of yellowing and stains, revealing teeth that look whiter, cleaner, healthier, and, yes, even younger. Over-the-counter products may provide some improvement in the way your teeth look, but to really enjoy the benefits of teeth whitening, professional treatments can’t be beat.

At Preva Dental in San Antonio, Texas, Prathima Rasamsetty, DDS, and her team offer state-of-the-art, professional-strength teeth whitening to help patients get the beautiful results they’re looking for. Best of all, our in-office treatments take just one visit to lift away years of stains so you can enjoy a truly dazzling smile.

Why your teeth look dingy

Tooth enamel is strong and hard, but it’s not impenetrable. Over time, your enamel can start to look yellow, gray, or just plain dingy. Most tooth stains are caused by pigments in the foods and beverages you consume, including:

• Coffee and tea
• Red wine
• Tomato products
• Deeply pigmented spices, like turmeric and paprika
• Dark berries
• Beets and other vegetables with dark pigments

Tobacco products are another major cause of yellow and brown stains — as well as a whole host of oral health issues. 

Foods that are high in acids also play a role in tooth discoloration. Those acids temporarily soften your enamel layer, making it easier for pigments to penetrate and cause stains.

Long-term use of antibiotics and some other medicines can also lead to tooth staining, as can tooth trauma, deep decay, root canal therapy, and metabolic disorders. Even aging can take a toll on the way your teeth look as the outer enamel layer thins out, revealing more of the naturally yellow dentin layer underneath.

Dramatically whiter teeth in one visit

Our in-office teeth whitening treatments use professional-strength whitening agents designed to gently penetrate tooth enamel and lift away stains without harming the tooth structure. Prior to your whitening treatment, we clean your teeth thoroughly, removing sticky plaque and hard tartar deposits that can interfere with whitening and give you inconsistent results.

We use a guard to hold your lips back from your teeth, preventing the whitening agent from being wiped away during treatment and reducing irritation. Then we apply the whitening agent to every tooth, making sure the solution contacts those hard-to-reach spaces in between your teeth.

What sets our whitening process apart is the application of a laser light to your prepared teeth, promoting better penetration, deeper whitening, and more consistent results. Treatment typically takes an hour or less, and afterward, your teeth will be several shades whiter and brighter.

Professional whitening vs. drugstore bleaching kits

In-office whitening offers dramatic results in just an hour, but many people wonder if they can get the same results with an at-home bleaching kit. The answer is no.

There are dozens of teeth-bleaching products available online and over the counter at your local store, and while they’re certainly convenient, the results they produce don’t come close to the results you’ll see with professional whitening. Professional-grade whitening has a higher concentration of whitening agents that you just can’t get over the counter.

Plus, because of the way they’re applied, over-the-counter products are more likely to cause gum irritation and sensitivity compared to treatments at our office.

Whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes can be a good way to help prolong the results of a professional whitening, however. Some whitening toothpastes contain harsh abrasives, so before choosing a whitening product, ask Dr. Rasamsetty or your hygienist for a recommendation.

Restore your pearly whites

You’ve been thinking about doing something to whiten your teeth for a while. Just one professional in-office teeth whitening treatment is all it takes to whiten and brighten your teeth and keep your smile looking its best. You’ll wonder why you waited to have it done!

Don’t let a dingy smile take a toll on your appearance and your confidence. To schedule an appointment for a professional whitening treatment at Preva Dental, call 210-791-7826 or use our online request tool today.