Teeth Whitening

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Teeth Whitening in Bakersfield, CA

Are you hiding your smile because it’s not as white as it used to be? Bella Risa Dental provides professional teeth whitening at our Bakersfield, CA dental office to help you achieve a brighter smile in as little as one visit.

What Causes Teeth Staining?

Over time, you may notice a change in the color of your teeth. Discoloration may happen for one or several of the following reasons:

Food and Drink– Coffee, tea, and red wine are some of the major staining culprits.
Tobacco use– Tobacco contains tar and nicotine that lead to tough stains on teeth.
Age– below the tooth enamel, there’s a softer layer called dentin, which is more yellow. Over time, our tooth enamel gets thinner, leading to more yellow dentin showing through the enamel.
Trauma– If you’ve been hit in the mouth or have another type of mouth injury, your tooth may change color because it’s not receiving adequate blood flow anymore.
Medications– Some medications may have a side effect of tooth discoloration.

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How Does Dental Whitening Work?

Whitening products contain a teeth bleaching gel created especially for dental whitening. They work to break up the built-up stains, in turn making your teeth brighter.

Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Whitening?

Professional teeth whitening is suitable for most people with natural teeth and good oral health. They’re an excellent option for people who haven’t had previous work done to their teeth since tooth-colored fillings, crowns, and veneers cannot be whitened like the rest of your teeth. Teeth whitening also works well for stubborn, yellowish stains but may not always whiten brown or gray stains.

Teeth Whitening at the Dentist Vs. At Home

Professional teeth whitening at the dentist is the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatment because it’s highly effective. On the other hand, at-home teeth whiteners are easy to use and relatively cheap, but the downside is that they’re not as effective.

Benefits of in-office teeth whitening over at-home solutions include:

Faster results: Professional teeth whitening services utilize a high concentration of peroxide and carbamide bleaching gel, so your teeth whiten faster.
Longevity: In-office teeth whitening treatments penetrate deeper below the tooth’s surface due to the concentration of the solution, so your teeth will stay whiter longer compared to at-home teeth whitening methods.
Time: You will spend less time having your teeth whitened at the dentist but leave with teeth 2-3 shades whiter, whereas at home you will have to spend 1-2 hours per day over a series of days or weeks for your teeth to become 3-6 shades whiter.
Sensitivity: Since whitening agents contain peroxide, they can irritate and burn gums. Because your dentist supervises your teeth whitening procedure, they will protect your mouth from the peroxide by covering the gum tissues with a thin sheet of rubber or a protective gel.

Professional Teeth Whitening at the Dentist

Here’s what you can expect when you come to Bella Risa Dental for cosmetic teeth whitening:

Initial exam: We will begin with an initial exam to ensure you are an acceptable candidate for teeth whitening.
Prep: Before we get started, we’ll protect your gums, so the whitening gel only touches your teeth and not the soft tissues of your mouth. Our dentist, Dr. Iliana Hernandez Infante, DDS, will cover your gums with a rubber dam – the dam protects your sensitive gum tissue from the bleaching agent. We will also wipe your lips and inner cheeks with a special gel, which protects your tissues from the peroxide used in the teeth bleaching product.
Coating and curing: We then apply the bleaching gel and leave it to sit. We may use a specialized light on your teeth to activate the gel so it’ll provide better, faster results.
Repeat as necessary: You may need to come in for more teeth whitening treatments. Dr. Iliana Hernandez Infante, DDS, will let you know.

Is Cosmetic Dental Whitening Painful?

Although safe, the bleaching agent in teeth whitening products can cause some discomfort or sensitivity. Whether or not you experience discomfort will depend on if you are prone to tooth sensitivity.

How long Does In-Office Teeth Whitening Take?

Treatments performed by the dentist typically take between 30-90 minutes to complete. Your teeth really will be significantly brighter after this short time.

Cost of Teeth Whitening

The cost of teeth whitening can vary quite significantly depending on how many shades you’d like to lighten your teeth. Unfortunately, insurance doesn’t cover the cost because dental whitening is considered a cosmetic dentistry procedure. We will always discuss the cost with you before you commit to any treatment.

Visit our Teeth Whitening Dentist at Bella Risa Dental!

At Bella Risa Dental, we believe everyone deserves to feel great about the way they look! Our in-office teeth whitening treatments are safe, efficient, and quick. Please contact us today, and we’ll be happy to arrange a convenient appointment to get you started.

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