Professional vs At-Home Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening done at home is clearly not as safe as teeth whitening performed at Jax Beaches Family Dentistry by a licensed dental health professional. At-home teeth whitening treatments are essentially DIY and so, as with all DIY projects, it carries a high risk -- patients rarely understand what they’re doing or how the treatment works and therefore can easily do damage to their teeth and gums.

When you get your teeth whitened at Jax Beaches Family Dentistry, you also will have your teeth and gums cleaned so that plaque and tartar are removed and any cavities are filled. Therefore one of the clear advantages of a professional teeth whitening experience is that your dentist will check your teeth and make sure they’re healthy and ready for a teeth whitening treatment. Your professional teeth whitening experience at Jax Beaches Family Dentistry won’t hurt the teeth because our professionals know how to avoid causing damage while still getting amazing results.

In-office treatments at Jax Beaches Family Dentistry use a higher dosage of the safe chemicals used to “whiten” teeth in our Offices. Most at-home whitening strips use very low levels of hydrogen peroxide.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of in-office, professional teeth whitening is vigilance and the fact that the dentist is watching to make sure nothing goes wrong. Teeth whitening is a treatment that’s been proven to be safe for many years, but despite this, gum irritation and tooth hypersensitivity can occur.

Patients who have teeth with noticeable stains that they’d like to have removed should carefully consider going to Jax Beaches Family Dentistry to ensure that stains are addressed with care and that the final results repair the problem fully. With an at-home kit patients run the risk of making the problem appear worse. Professional teeth whitening at Jax Beaches Family Dentistry is designed to address staining issues.

Professional teeth whitening at Jax Beaches Family Dentistry leaves all the responsibility in the hands of the dentist which means that, as the patient, you can sit back and relax during the procedure. This is not DIY, nor should it be. At the end of your appointment at Jax Beaches Family Dentistry, you’ll leave the office with a brighter, more beautiful smile. At-home treatments often yield disappointing results. When that happens we often have to address the original problem and the new problem created by at-home whitening “gone wrong.”

Teeth Whitening Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How does teeth whitening work?

Stains on teeth appear when colored molecules stick to the plaque, tartar, and the surface of our teeth. Dental cleanings help remove plaque and tartar, but sometimes the stains still appear in the layer below called the dentin. Bleaching solution carefully applied to the teeth combines with oxygen from the air and carbon in the dentin to break apart the staining molecules stuck on the teeth.

Will teeth whitening work for me?

Results from whitening at Jax Beaches Family Dentistry vary from person to person and on the type of stains. Teeth whitening generally works best on yellowish-brown stains compared to gray stains.

How long does it take to whiten teeth?

Our in-office, immediate whitening procedures take about an hour in most cases. You can relax or use our free internet to post videos and pics of your whitening experience in our comfortable, cozy dental chairs. And don’t worry, we’ll be there to bring you anything you need during this process!

Should I get a dental cleaning before or after teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening works best on teeth free of plaque and tartar. Staying current on your dental cleanings is important for your overall health and it will ensure the best possible outcome for your teeth whitening. If you are due for teeth cleaning, you can schedule the dental cleaning and the teeth whitening FOR THE SAME DAY!. The cleaning will be completed before your professional teeth whitening experience at Jax Beaches Family Dentistry.

Does teeth whitening hurt?

Teeth whitening can on rare occasions cause some minor hot/cold sensitivity to your teeth and gums. Most of our patients experience little to no sensitivity, while other patients may need to limit the strength of the bleaching effort to avoid sensitivity. We will discuss this with you in order to avoid sensitivity issues. This is another reason why you need to have teeth whitening performed at Jax Beaches Family Dentistry and NOT at home using risky trays.

Will whitening my teeth damage my tooth’s enamel?

Yet another reason you do not want to DIY teeth whitening. Teeth whitening at Jax Beaches Family Dentistry help you significantly reduce the risk of any damage to tooth enamel, your gums, or any other dental health negative impact. Your teeth whitening procedure at Jax Beaches Family Dentistry ensures you are getting the highest quality whitening products from the most reputable sources applied by well-trained dental health professionals. Having your teeth professionally whitened at Jax Beaches Family Dentistry will also reduce your chances of tooth sensitivity or any root damage.

How much does teeth whitening cost?

The cost of professional teeth whitening is much less than you might expect. Contact us to learn about any specials we may have as well as easy payment options. Do I have to do anything special before teeth whitening?

There is nothing “special” that you need to do before your professional teeth whitening procedure, however, the treatment does work best on healthy teeth free of plaque and tartar so we need to clean your teeth beforehand. If you know you have teeth sensitivity, please schedule a consultation prior to your professional teeth whitening procedure at Jax Beaches Family Dentistry so we can get you ready for your bright beautiful smile.

Do I have to do anything special after teeth whitening?

To ensure the best results, you will want to avoid eating any foods or drinks that can stain teeth for at least 48 hours – avoid coffee, tea, red wine, berries, blueberry pie, foods with artificial colors (blue raspberry popsicles?), etc. You should also refrain from smoking as long as possible after your teeth whitening procedure.

Will teeth whitening work on dental veneers?

Whitening will not change the color/shade of any dental veneers or any non-natural tooth restoration.

Will teeth whitening work on composites or bonding?

Whitening does not change the color/shade of dental bonding/composite or any non-natural tooth restoration effort.

Will teeth whitening work on crowns or bridges?

Whitening does not change the color/shade of dental crowns/bridges or any non-natural tooth restoration.

How long does teeth whitening last?

Teeth whitening lasts the longest when patients follow a healthy diet, avoid smoking, avoid teeth-staining foods and drinks, utilize a straw when possible, and maintain regular dental cleanings. The benefits of professional teeth whitening at Jax Beaches Family Dentistry may last a year or more.