You Don’t Need a Special Occasion to Brighten Your Smile
Weddings, graduations, birthdays, or an interview for that perfect job — these are all special occasions where people want to look their best. In fact, a lot of our Auburn patients request whitening treatments to get ready for a big event. But you don’t need a special reason to want a bright and beautiful smile that you can feel good about every day.
Having a healthy and bright smile can make all the difference in your confidence. That’s why at Smiles For Life, our expert dentist Dr. Heffelfinger offers teeth whitening as one of our many cosmetic solutions to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.
What Causes Teeth to Stain?
There are several factors that can cause your teeth to become dingy, stained, or yellow. In addition to poor dental hygiene, diet can also be a factor. Foods and beverages such as berries, coffee, tea, and both red and white wine can all stain your teeth. Yellowing can also be caused by smoking, physical trauma, and certain medications.
How Teeth Whitening Works
Teeth whitening treatments work by applying a dental-grade bleaching agent to the front surfaces of the teeth. These agents oxidize (lift) the stains from the enamel layer of the teeth, causing your smile to appear several shades whiter in as little as one hour.
With professional whitening from G.L.O.®, we can get your teeth up to twelve shades brighter. For your convenience, we offer both in-office and take-home treatment options. G.L.O.® is a world leader in teeth-whitening; no other treatment provides the unique combination of benefits you get with G.L.O.®, which include:
- Little to no tooth sensitivity in most cases
- See results in 5 to 7 days
- Brightens your teeth up to 12 shades whiter
- No uncomfortable trays or messy strips
- FDA approved
- Removes stains caused by antibiotics like tetracycline
In-Office Treatment
When you visit our Auburn office, your teeth whitening treatment is administered and monitored by dental professionals. You can sit back and relax while our expert dentist Dr. Heffelfinger transforms your smile in just one hour.
Take-Home Treatment
Dr. Heffelfinger also offers simple-to-use G.L.O.® take home treatments. With a professional custom made tray, you can get the smile of your dreams from the comfort of your own home.
G.L.O.® The Gentlest Product Available
Perhaps you’ve tried over-the-counter whitening products that caused sensitivity in your teeth and gums. Dr. Heffelfinger uses G.L.O.®, the gentlest whitening system you can find. One of the ways G.L.O.® eliminates sensitivity is through the use of their specially formulated, sensitivity-free, no-drip hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening gel.
Other whitening brands contain stabilizing ingredients to prevent the active ingredients in their gel from breaking down. Unfortunately, these stabilizing ingredients are a major cause of tooth sensitivity.
G.L.O.® never uses these painful chemicals because their gel is kept in specially designed vials that feature an airtight seal inside. This ensures you always get fresh, active gel even after opening. Best of all, there’s no refrigeration required.
Candidacy for Teeth Whitening
During your consultation with Dr. Heffelfinger at our Auburn office, he’ll conduct a thorough examination, discuss your smile goals, and determine the best course of action for helping you achieve your dream smile. Teeth whitening is not for everyone, however.
If you have dental fillings or prosthetics, for example, we may recommend a different cosmetic solution. Tooth restorations are stain-resistant, which is great for blending seamlessly into your smile, but this also means they don’t respond to bleaching agents. If you are in need of a tooth restoration, it’s recommended to get a whitening treatment beforehand as your restoration will be color-matched to the shade of your natural teeth.
Teeth whitening is also not suitable for:
- Patients under the age of 16
- Pregnant or lactating patients
- Patients with sensitive teeth
- Patients with allergies to teeth bleaching agents (such as peroxide)
The ideal candidate will have healthy teeth and gum tissue. If you suffer from the effects of tooth decay or periodontal disease, Dr. Heffelfinger will help get your oral health on track before a cosmetic procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Professional teeth whitening is powerful, effective, and can last up to five years when done correctly. Our Auburn practice uses a potent whitening gel and custom-made trays for immediate, unmatched results.
Once patients have completed a few sessions, they can expect a smile that’s several shades brighter, going beyond their whitening expectations.
Teeth whitening treatment is completely safe and provides fast, effective results. Dr. Heffelfinger uses a strong bleaching concentration that works by going beyond surface-level stains and reaches the enamel.
For prolonged use, however, it’s best to increase the amount of time between treatments, lower your time spent whitening, and reduce the level of concentration used to avoid possibly damaging your teeth over time.
To maintain whiter teeth, it’s important to take care of your teeth after a whitening treatment to prevent further staining and avoid damaging your enamel. Use a soft-bristled brush and non-abrasive toothpaste when cleaning your teeth, and avoid hot or cold foods for at least 24 hours after treatment.
Dr. Heffelfinger also recommends staying away from teeth-staining foods and beverages like coffee, tea, soda, blueberries, dark wines, and tobacco.
The cost of your whitening treatment will depend on several factors, such as the amount of product used. Unfortunately, most insurance companies don’t cover the cost of cosmetic procedures, including teeth whitening. Thankfully, Dr. Heffelfinger offers affordable financing options to help make your dream smile achievable.