Teeth Whitening San Marcos
The Brighter Smile
You’ve Been
Dreaming Of
Stained tooth enamel can make you self-conscious about your smile. Even if you have healthy teeth, and you brush and floss regularly, you may have not-so-pearly whites. For patients who live in and around San Marcos, CA,
Dr. Nelson Y. Howard and his cosmetic dentistry team can professionally brighten your smile with our teeth whitening services. Our cosmetic dental office uses three types of take-home teeth whitening kits to brighten your smile: DayWhite, NiteWhite, or Opalescence. Keep reading to learn more about teeth whitening in San Marcos, CA.
Why Choose Nelson Y. Howard, D.D.S. for Teeth Whitening?
-
Highly Credentialed in
the Art & Science of
Cosmetic Dentistry -
Unmatched Level
of Complete
Customer Service -
Multiple Whitening
Kits for Your
Convenience
Why Do Teeth Get Stained?
Teeth get stained for a lot of different reasons. The enamel layer of your teeth is very porous and can absorb pigments from food, drink, and tobacco. As you age, your enamel starts to wear away, revealing the yellow-colored dentin layer beneath. Cavities, infections, and injuries can also discolor your teeth. Medications can also change the color of your teeth by affecting the internal color of your teeth by the many adverse effects medications have on your body's blood chemistry and ultimately these negative effects change the cells of your teeth to discolor from inside out. People who took the antibiotic tetracycline when they were children are a perfect example of how certain medications can change the color of your teeth. The good news is that teeth whitening kits, such as DayWhite, NiteWhite, or Opalescence, can remove those stains and whiten your enamel up to ten shades!
Reasons that your teeth may be yellowed or darkened include:
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Drinking coffee, tea, cola, or wine
- Eating pigmented foods like cherries, chocolate, and curry
- Taking certain types of antibiotics, antihistamines, antipsychotics, and high blood pressure medications
- Suffering from diseases that affect enamel and dentin
- Having habits that cause enamel breakdown such as fingernail biting, chewing ice, chewing on pens
- Enduring treatments such as chemotherapy
- Getting older
- Experiencing dental trauma
- Receiving excessive fluoride
- Ignoring daily oral hygiene
What Can I Do to Improve
the Color of My Teeth?
Basic techniques you can use to keep your teeth looking healthy are to brush and floss every day, get regular dental checkups, and use oral rinses with peroxide. Peroxide not only kills the bacteria that cause gum disease, it can also whiten your teeth. The best way to see improvement in the brightness of your smile is to come into our San Marcos dental office for your customized take-home teeth whitening kit. We offer DayWhite, NiteWhite, or Opalescence for your teeth whitening needs.
What Are DayWhite, NiteWhite, and Opalescence?
DayWhite, NiteWhite, or Opalescence are teeth whitening kits that you can use in the convenience of your home. Both kits have optimal whitening advantages, and the type of kit you choose depends on when you want to whiten your teeth and how long you want to whiten them. If you want to whiten your smile during the day, then you can use DayWhite for about two hours a day. For those people who don't have time during their busy day, you may want to use NiteWhite or Opalescence, which will whiten your teeth while you sleep.
Is it Easy to Whiten My Teeth at Home?
Yes! At Nelson Y. Howard, D.D.S., we give you customized trays, professional-grade whitening gel, and detailed instructions. And you can get your custom teeth-whitening kit, either DayWhite, NiteWhite, or Opalescence, at our dental office in San Marcos. A few things to remember about whitening your teeth at home:
- Brush your teeth with desensitizing toothpaste to ensure less sensitivity during the whitening process.
- Floss your teeth each time before you use the teeth whitening gels to eliminate the food debris in between your teeth for maximum results
- Do not begin the whitening the process if you have cuts, scratches, or sores in your mouth. Let them heal first.
- Maximum results are achieved within 14-21 days, so be consistent with your whitening until your treatment is completed.
- Avoid drinking and eating foods that can re-stain your teeth, and stay away from acidic foods, too, which can cause damage to the tooth surface while you're in the whitening process.
- Do not eat or drink while the whitening trays are in your mouth, and wait about 30 minutes after your teeth whitening process before eating or drinking.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is one of the more affordable cosmetic services, which is one of the reasons behind its remarkable popularity. Give us a call so we can share some specific pricing information with you. Many patients find that this service is an excellent investment in their confidence!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening treatment is usually one set price, but there are some factors that can drive up its cost, such as:
- Severe discoloration. Severe dental stains may require special treatments to address, leading to higher overall fees.
- The type of discoloration. Stains caused by foods and drinks are usually simple to address. However, discoloration that is the result of certain medications or other factors can be more difficult to reverse.
- Preliminary care. You should not whiten your teeth if you have cavities or other significant oral health problems. You may need a filling, crown, or other treatment before you can move forward with cosmetic services.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
There are four main types of teeth whitening:
- Some dental practices offer in-office teeth whitening, which can cost anywhere from $400 to more than $1,000.
- Here at Nelson Y. Howard, D.D.S., we feature take-home professional whitening kits. Patients typically pay a few hundred dollars for this service.
- Over-the-counter (OTC) whitening trays usually run $100 or less. The trays are not customized for each user.
- The lowest-priced whitening option is OTC strips or gels, which may cost anywhere from $20 - $40 for a two-week supply of whitening product.
Some individuals strive to save money by using whitening “hacks” that involve things like activated charcoal or strawberry paste. However, such methods can be very bad for oral health.
Professional Teeth Whitening vs. Over-the-Counter Options
When you look at the abovementioned numbers, you might wonder why anyone would choose professional teeth whitening over the cheaper OTC products. There are a few reasons why professional options are superior:
- Professional whitening formulas are more powerful than those available over the counter. You can achieve better results in a shorter period of time!
- Because professional whitening takes place under a dentist’s supervision, you can be confident in its safety. Our dental team wants you to have a beautiful and healthy smile.
- Professional whitening treatments are customized for the needs of each unique patient.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Teeth whitening is considered to be an elective, purely cosmetic procedure. Therefore, it is almost never covered by dental insurance.
The good news is that teeth whitening is affordable for most patients, even if they have to pay out of pocket. Of course, if you would like to pay for your treatment over time, that may be an option as well. Most patients qualify for third-party financing through CareCredit. The application process is fast, and the majority of patients are quickly approved for credit!
Are you eager to learn more about teeth whitening and its price? Get in touch with our team today. We are eager to answer your questions!
Cosmetic Dental Care in San Marcos
Make your teeth whitening appointment at Nelson Y. Howard, D.D.S. We have two convenient locations, one in Rancho Bernardo and another in
San Marcos. Brighten your smile today!
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Overall, nearly anyone can get teeth whitening. Qualifying for the service isn’t hard. So long as you’re fairly healthy, you’ll likely be a good candidate for it.
Of course, some patients benefit more from the option than others. Ideal candidates are those with stubborn and severe tooth stains. With treatment, such discoloration can be quickly removed and reversed. (Just make sure your teeth and gums are in good shape first. When they are, we’ll work on your custom treatment plan.)
To confirm your candidacy, book a consultation at our office. This visit lets Dr. Howard closely examine your mouth. From there, he can learn whether whitening suits your grin.
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
Sadly, the effects of teeth whitening aren’t permanent. They’ll last anywhere from a few months to a few years. After that period, you’ll need touch-ups to keep your grin white.
All that said, there are ways to prolong your results. Some of the best ones include:
- Good Oral Hygiene – By brushing twice daily and flossing once daily, you can prevent new tooth stains.
- Dental Checkups – Your grin will stay bright if you attend your six-month checkups and cleanings.
- No Bad Oral Habits – Tobacco and alcohol can often stain a patient’s teeth. So, try not to consume these substances.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
When done by a qualified dentist, teeth whitening is very safe. It shouldn’t harm your mouth; instead, the service will only help your grin shine brightly!
You see, a dentist’s whiteners are specially made for teeth. They undergo rigorous testing and have approval from the FDA and ADA. As such, the substances aren’t toxic and don’t cause major side effects.
At the same time, a licensed professional delivers this treatment. The latter will use custom trays to ensure the solution doesn’t reach your gums. Plus, the dentist will adjust the gel to produce the desired results.
What’s the Difference Between Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening?
Yes, both store-bought and professional whiteners are made to lift stains. Their purposes are thus similar. However, these types of whitening use different methods.
Generally, store-bought whitening is generic. It relies on one-size-fits-all trays and diluted brighteners. As such, it often delivers poor results for its users. A person may have to use a store-bought kit several times before their teeth brighten.
On the other hand, pro whitening is customized just for you. The dentist tailors it to your unique oral needs. That way, your treatment will be safe and effective. You’ll then get dramatic results in very little time.