Teeth Whitening

Why aren’t my teeth whiter?

Your teeth can lose their color for many reasons. Most often, tooth discoloration is caused by poor oral hygiene or by consuming too many stain-causing substances. Some common culprits for staining include:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Soda
• Red wine
• Berries
• Tomato-based sauces
• Soy sauce
• Cigarettes
• Chewing tobacco

Your teeth might also become dull or discolored as a result of certain medications. Certain antibiotics cause deep intrinsic stains if you take them before the age of eight or are otherwise exposed to them (for example, if your mother takes them while you’re in utero). 

Lastly, teeth naturally change color as you age. The hard outer layer of your teeth (enamel) wears thin over time and exposes more of the soft inner layer (dentin). Your dentin, meanwhile, yellows and discolors as you get older, leaving your smile to look less white and bright.

How does teeth whitening work?

Pacific View Smile Center offers chairside whitening with the state-of-the-art Philips Zoom!® system. Dr. Sakurai begins by cleaning your teeth to ensure that they’re free of debris and plaque buildup, then uses cheek retractors and gum coverings to keep your oral tissues safe and protected from the whitening solution.

Next, she applies the whitening gel to your teeth and shines a special light. This light activates the gel and helps it penetrate your enamel deeply, breaking up difficult stains. After 15 minutes, she removes the gel from your teeth and rinses your mouth. She repeats this process two more times, giving you a beautifully white smile in less than an hour.

Pacific View Smile Center also offers whitening with convenient take-home whitening trays. Dr. Sakurai uses an impression of your smile to fabricate your whitening trays, creating them to fit perfectly around your teeth.

You fill the trays with a special whitening solution that she provides and then wear them for a set amount of time every day. Your smile will be brighter and whiter within just a few weeks.

Pacific View Smile Center is accommodating with its teeth whitening appointments and can work in a whitening treatment into your regularly scheduled appointment.

Can’t I just whiten my teeth with a store-bought system?

It’s never a good idea to use a store-bought bleaching system to whiten your teeth. Over-the-counter kits use generic strips and trays that don’t necessarily fit the unique contours of your smile, so the bleaching solution frequently leaks and irritates your gum tissue. 

The whitening gel in these kits is also not nearly as strong as what you get with professional treatment, leaving you with subpar results.

If you want a truly stunning smile, have your teeth whitening by a professional. You can schedule your teeth whitening with Dr. Sakurai by calling the office or booking an appointment online.