Skip to main content

Teeth Whitening Specialist

Alpine Dental & Wellness

Family, Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry located in Monroe, WA

Discolored, yellow teeth can take away your confidence and force you to hide your smile. At Alpine Dental in Monroe, Washington, professional teeth whitening services are available to restore your teeth to a brilliant, sparkling white. Book your teeth whitening appointment online today and get back to showing off your best smile.

Teeth Whitening Q & A

What causes discolored teeth?

Numerous factors affect the color of your teeth and can cause the tooth’s surface to darken or yellow. Some of the most common determinants include:

  • Food and drink
  • Tobacco chemicals
  • Medications
  • Trauma
  • Age

Both the enamel, the outer shell of the tooth, and the dentin, the inner part, can become discolored over time. Enamel weakens and thins, causing dentin to turn yellow or gray and reflect through the thinner enamel.

Professional teeth whitening services effectively treat both the dentin and the enamel, erasing stains and restoring teeth to a bright white.

What is teeth whitening?

Your dentist can perform teeth whitening procedures in their office. While there are many over-the-counter products you can use at home, a professional whitening from an experienced dentist is the most effective treatment for whiter, brighter teeth.

How does the teeth whitening process work?

Professional teeth whitening removes stains and discoloration from the enamel and dentin with long-lasting results. It’s a simple process using carbamide peroxide, a safe and effective bleaching agent that breaks down stains and brightens teeth.

Your teeth and gums must be in good health and free from cavities and disease for the whitening process to be effective.

Your dentist applies a protective gel to your gums and the concentrated bleaching solution to your teeth. They use a special light to accelerate the chemical reaction in the whitening agent. You may need several visits to achieve optimum results.

You may also use whitening trays from your dentist to produce desired results. You apply a peroxide gel to a custom-made tray that’s fitted to your mouth. You can use the trays at home where you wear them for a few hours or while you sleep.

What are the risks of teeth whitening?

One of the most common side effects after a whitening procedure is increased tooth sensitivity. There may also be some gum irritation from the bleaching agent.

If you have any bonding work, veneers, or dental crowns, the bleaching process won’t affect their coloration. That may result in technicolor teeth, a mismatched color pattern between natural teeth and restorations.

For dentist-provided at-home treatments, there’s increased risk of tooth damage due to improper use, such as leaving trays on for too long. It’s important to follow all of your dentist’s directions for whitening at home.