Dental Whitening in Whitehouse Station, NJ

Brighten Your Smile With Our Cosmetic Dentist

At Lasting Smiles of Whitehouse Station, Dr. Thomas Gulino and our dedicated dental team offer a wide range of services, including cosmetic dentistry and emergency dental care. Whether you reside in Whitehouse Station, Tewksbury, or Lebanon, NJ, if you’re seeking to enhance your smile, we’re here to assist you.

Are you prepared to rediscover the delight of a confident smile? Contact us at (908) 534-4001 to book an appointment with Dr. Gulino today.

What Is Dental Whitening?

Dental whitening is a routine cosmetic procedure in which we bleach the enamel surface of your teeth to make them whiter, covering or eliminating stains and discoloration. The enamel on your teeth builds up over time, causing stains to form. If you use tobacco, drink coffee and tea, or practice poor oral hygiene, you should consider this procedure.

Teeth whitening is also commonly performed on patients whose teeth are discolored from the inside, known as an intrinsic stain.

Causes of Dental Stains

Several factors cause staining on your teeth. These can include:

• Food and Beverages: Consuming pigmented foods and beverages can lead to the accumulation of stains on the tooth surface over time.
• Tobacco Use: Smoking or using smokeless tobacco products can cause stubborn stains that are difficult to remove with regular brushing alone.
• Poor Oral Hygiene: Inadequate brushing and flossing can contribute to the buildup of plaque and tartar, leading to discoloration and deterioration of tooth enamel.
• Aging: As individuals age, the enamel naturally wears down, revealing the underlying dentin, which may appear yellow or discolored.
• Environmental Factors: Exposure to environmental factors such as excessive fluoride or trauma to the teeth can cause intrinsic stains.

Benefits of Teeth Whitening

When you opt for teeth whitening at Lasting Smiles of Whitehouse Station, you’re getting benefits such as:

• Efficiency: Professional whitening treatments are generally more powerful and effective compared to over-the-counter products, allowing for significant whitening in a shorter amount of time.
• Safety: Under the supervision of a dental professional, in-office whitening procedures are considered safe and are less likely to cause adverse effects such as tooth sensitivity or gum irritation.
• Customization: Dental professionals can customize whitening treatments based on factors such as the severity of stains, tooth sensitivity, and patient preferences, ensuring a personalized approach to achieve optimal results.
• Long-lasting Results: With proper maintenance and follow-up care, the results of professional whitening treatments can last for an extended period, providing patients with a brighter and more radiant smile for months or even years.

Types of Teeth Whitening

Vital Whitening

Vital whitening refers to the color correction of teeth with stained enamel with gel whitening solutions. Vital teeth bleaching treatment uses carbamide peroxide between 10 and 22 percent. Vital whitening can be performed in the dentist’s office, at home, or both. If you choose in-office treatment, we’ll protect your gums with a protective agent before applying the whitening gel solution to the teeth.

Non-Vital Whitening

Non-vital whitening procedure is recommended for patients whose teeth don’t have live nerves because of root canal treatment. After a root canal, the pulp inside the tooth darkens. Dr. Gulino can whiten the teeth with this treatment. We’ll insert the whitening agent inside the tooth and brighten it to your desired shade. From there, we’ll remove the agent and seal the tooth with dental composite material.

Preparing for Teeth Whitening

Before starting your treatment, our Whitehouse Station teeth whitening dentist will examine your teeth to identify the cause of the stains and discoloration. We’ll treat any cavities or decay before whitening. The whitening solution can penetrate the tooth through the cavity if we don’t treat it. 

How Teeth Whitening Process Works at our Dental Practice

In-Office Whitening

In-office teeth whitening typically requires up to three visits, with each appointment taking 30 to 90 minutes. The number of visits and duration of each one depends on the severity of the stains, the level of whiteness sought, and the chosen whitening method.

In most cases, our Whitehouse Station cosmetic dentist will apply a whitening solution containing a form of hydrogen peroxide to bleach teeth. We’ll then use a specialized light or laser to activate the solution and expedite the tooth-bleaching process.

At-Home Whitening

If you opt for at-home teeth whitening kits, we’ll provide custom mouthpieces based on impressions of your teeth. You’ll fill the mouthpieces with the provided solution and wear them for a few hours daily.

Maintaining Whitened Teeth

After your tooth whitening treatment, it’s crucial to take great care of your whitened teeth. Dr. Gulino will provide you with instructions, which can include:

1. Regular Brushing and Flossing: Brush teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily to prevent plaque buildup and maintain whitened teeth.
2. Whitening Toothpaste: Use whitening toothpaste to remove surface stains and prevent new ones from forming.
3. Avoid Staining Foods: Limit consumption of dark-colored foods and beverages to prevent staining and prolong whitening results.
4. Limit Acidic Foods: Minimize consumption of acidic foods and rinse your mouth with water after consumption to protect tooth enamel.
5. Consume Calcium-Rich Foods: Include calcium-rich foods to strengthen tooth enamel and protect against sensitivity.
6. Scheduled Touch-Ups: Attend periodic touch-up treatments as recommended by dental professionals to maintain whitened teeth.
7. Regular Dental Check-Ups: Visit our Whitehouse Station dentist regularly for check-ups and professional cleanings to monitor oral health and maintain whitening results.
8. Report Changes: Notify dental professionals of any changes in oral health or concerns regarding tooth discoloration for timely evaluation and treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who isn’t an ideal candidate for teeth whitening?

We don’t recommend teeth whitening to those with excessively worn enamel or periodontal disease, as well as those who experience chronic sensitivity. Although dental whitening is generally very effective, the relative success of the procedure varies for each person depending on the cause and severity of the stains. 

Are there any risks with teeth whitening?

You may feel sensitivity or gum irritation for a short time after your whitening treatment. More severe side effects are rare. Don’t hesitate to contact your dentist’s office if you experience tooth pain or discomfort. Additionally, we don’t recommend teeth whitening products for those who are pregnant.

Can I whiten my dental restorations?

No, teeth whitening is ineffective for dental restorations such as:

• Dental fillings
• Dental implants
• Dental veneers
• Dental crowns 
• Dentures

If you’ve gotten dental restorations and decide to get teeth whitening treatment, the shade may look off due to dental restorations’ immunity to stains. It’s recommended that you whiten your teeth before getting dental restorations so your restorations can match the desired shade. 

Shine Your Smile at Lasting Smiles of Whitehouse Station!

Our team at Lasting Smiles of Whitehouse Station proudly serves the communities of Whitehouse Station, Tewksbury, and Lebanon, NJ. Not only do we provide cosmetic dentistry, but we also provide several dental surgery procedures or regular dental cleaning. 

Give Lasting Smiles of Whitehouse Station a call at (908) 534-4001 to schedule a free consultation today. You can also book an appointment here, and one of our staff members will get back to you. We look forward to seeing you soon!