Teeth Whitening

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A brighter smile can make a big difference in how you look and feel. Teeth whitening (bleaching) lightens the colour of natural tooth enamel—reducing stains from coffee, tea, red wine, and everyday life—with a simple, comfortable process tailored to you.

At Northwest Dentistry, we offer custom take-home whitening trays designed to whiten evenly and safely with professional guidance.

Is Whitening Right for Me?

Whitening works on natural teeth. If you have existing fillings, crowns, veneers, or bonding in your smile line, they will not lighten—so we may update those after whitening to match your new shade. We’ll examine your teeth and gums first to confirm you’re a good candidate.

Common reasons to whiten:

Yellow or brown staining (food, drinks, tobacco)
Surface changes from age or normal wear
Certain medication-related stains (results vary)
Fluorosis (white/brown mottling—results vary)

How Custom Take-Home Whitening Works

Visit 1 – Impressions/Scan
We take precise records of your teeth to make custom, clear trays that fit closely and hold the gel where it’s needed—away from your gums.

Visit 2 – Fit & Instructions
You’ll try in your trays; we make any small adjustments and review:

How much gel to use (a small dot per tooth)
Wear time (typically 30 minutes twice a day or overnight, depending on your gel and goals)
How long to continue (usually 1–2 weeks, sometimes longer for deeper stains)

You’ll also receive written care instructions and sensitivity tips.

Sensitivity: What’s Normal?

Mild, temporary tooth sensitivity or zinging can happen during whitening and usually settles once you stop or reduce frequency.

Ease sensitivity by:

Whitening on alternate days or shortening wear time
Using a sensitivity toothpaste (potassium nitrate) twice daily
Applying desensitizing gel in the trays if recommended
Avoiding very cold drinks during treatment

Aftercare & Keeping Your Shade

Avoid or limit dark beverages (coffee, tea, red wine) and tobacco during and 48 hours after whitening; sip through a straw and rinse with water after.
Maintain great home care: brush 2×/day with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily.
Keep regular cleanings—polishing helps teeth stay bright.
Plan touch-ups: Many patients do a short refresher (a few applications) every 6–12 months, or before special events.

FAQs

Will whitening work on crowns or fillings?
No—only natural enamel whitens. We can replace visible restorations after whitening to match.

How white will my teeth get?
Results vary by your starting shade and stain type. Most patients see a noticeable, natural-looking change over 1–2 weeks.

Is store-bought whitening the same?
Professional trays fit better and use dentist-dispensed gels for more even, controlled results with lower risk of gum irritation.

How long do results last?
With good habits and occasional touch-ups, results can last years.