If your pearly whites aren’t as white as they used to be, a quick, effective solution is just a call away.
Dr. David Blaustein can brighten your smile with Zoom! teeth whitening here at Chelsea Dental Aesthetics in New York City.
Read on to learn more about the common causes of teeth staining and how our professional teeth whitening options can help brighten your smile.
The enamel on your teeth is naturally porous. There’s a good reason for that — it allows for the exchange of minerals like fluoride, essential for the natural process of remineralization — but it also means your teeth are prone to stains.
The following foods and drinks are notorious for leaving stains:
You don’t have to give up these foods, but rinse your mouth after you eat or drink. That helps flush out any remaining food debris from your mouth.
Smoking and chewing tobacco can also leave stains, particularly brown stains. If you need help quitting, talk to Dr. Blaustein or check out the New York State Quitline. Quitting can help prevent future stains and reduce your risk of oral cancer.
The Lobene staining index evaluates the extent (area) and intensity (darkness) of the stains on your teeth. It provides a measurable score for tooth discoloration, creating a baseline to track changes over time.
This numerical system helps quantify improvements, such as how much brighter your smile becomes after treatments.
Here at Chelsea Dental Aesthetics, our team offers Zoom! whitening in two treatment formats: in-office or take-home.
The in-office version takes about an hour and can brighten your smile by up to eight shades. Over-the-counter whitening strips and gels, by comparison, can take weeks to lighten your teeth.
During your appointment, Dr. Blaustein protects your gums and then applies the hydrogen peroxide-based whitening agent to your teeth. He next activates the gel with a special light, helping the whitening agent penetrate the surface of your teeth to lift stains away.
All whitening treatments can make your teeth a little sensitive for a few days. That’s normal. Plus, the Zoom! system accounts for that. Our team applies Relief ACP gel to minimize post-whitening tooth sensitivity.
If you’d prefer to whiten your teeth in the privacy of your own home, we’ve got you covered. The Zoom! take-home system can whiten teeth by up to six shades in one weekend or over three consecutive nights.
While teeth whitening treatments can dramatically brighten your smile, some stains won’t budge — intrinsic stains.
Intrinsic stains may be caused by excessive fluoride intake during tooth development (fluorosis), certain medications like tetracycline taken during childhood, trauma to the tooth, and sometimes genetics.
If you have intrinsic stains, Dr. Blaustein may recommend veneers instead of whitening treatments. Veneers — thin porcelain shells bonded to the front surfaces of your teeth — can hide even the most stubborn stains.
You don’t have to go far to find a smile worthy of the red carpet. Visit our office in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan and find a whitening option that’s right for you. To get started, call us or request an appointment online today.
