Teeth whitening uses bleaching agents to lighten the color of a person’s teeth. You can use various over-the-counter products to whiten your teeth or avail our in-office teeth whitening treatment that we can provide during regular cleanings.

Professional teeth whitening is done in the dentist’s office and typically takes about an hour to complete from start to finish. A protective barrier is placed over the lips and the gums to avoid any contact with the bleaching agent. A special light activates the bleaching agent and accelerates the whitening process. Sometimes, a single appointment at Fort Union Family Dental is all that is needed to achieve your desired results.

The Causes of Teeth Discoloration

Discoloration is the natural process by which our teeth lose their bright, white color over time. After consuming certain foods and beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, berries, tomato sauce, soy sauce, curries, and others, your teeth can become stained and discolored. Some of these foods and drinks are acidic and can erode tooth enamel and cause yellowing or darkening of your teeth. 

Most staining is actually caused by chromogens – molecules that attach to tooth enamel and can cause stains. These can come from dark-colored foods and beverages, smoking tobacco, certain medications, aging, and trauma to the mouth.

Many patients with discolored teeth avoid smiling to show off their teeth! If you want whiter teeth, try altering the types of food and beverages you consume to prevent common causes of staining. You can also invest in a good whitening toothpaste to help lift surface stains. However, consider in-office teeth whitening treatments if at-home methods are not working.

Types of Teeth Whitening

In-Office Teeth Whitening

In-office teeth whitening provides patients with the fastest, safest, and most dramatic results. Most in-office whitening treatments can be completed in just one visit to our convenient dental office. Tooth stains caused by staining foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, red wine, and soda can be effectively lightened during that visit. Professional-grade materials are also more effective than over-the-counter products.

Alternative whitening methods may be necessary for tooth sensitivity or periodontal disease patients. Our dentists can discuss each patient’s needs during a consultation at our practice and recommend the most appropriate cosmetic treatment.

At-Home Teeth Whitening

Our dentist can fit you with custom-made trays and whitening gel, then send you home to complete the process on your own time. The process will require you to fill the tray with the whitening gel and then apply it to your teeth for a certain period each day or as directed. Over-the-counter products can be substituted in this process but typically include a lower concentration of the bleaching agent and therefore take longer to whiten teeth.

Also, some at-home treatments can cause tooth sensitivity. Before starting the process, talk to your dentist about the potential side effects of teeth whitening treatment.

If you want to learn more about our teeth whitening services and how they can benefit you, contact Fort Union Family Dental located at 8915 S 700 E Ste 103, Sandy, Utah 84070, or call (801) 562-2147. We look forward to speaking with you about your options!