Teeth Whitening
Vancouver, WA
Teeth Whitening provided by Joseph Kim, DDS
in Vancouver, WA at Riverstone Family Dentistry
 Today, people are more concerned than ever before with how they look. Your smile is one of the first things many people notice, so if you have stained, yellow looking teeth, you may feel embarrassed or self-conscious. We can help with professional teeth whitening.
At Riverstone Family Dentistry, we see many patients seeking teeth whitening - a process that's mainly done as a cosmetic treatment. Professional teeth whitening is often much more effective and long-lasting compared to over-the-counter treatments.
What is Teeth Whitening?
When you whiten your teeth, you either restore them to their natural shade, or you make them look even better than they did initially. You can also restore the underlying shade of your natural tooth simply by removing stains that are caused by extrinsic factors (e.g., coffee, tea, wine, tobacco) from their surface.
The amount of time that this entire process requires will vary depending on how discolored your teeth are. Typically we can whiten your teeth for you in 30-90 minutes per visit. Depending on the severity of your stains, you may need as many as three appointments.
Why you may Wish to Consider Teeth Whitening
There are many reasons why you may want to consider having your teeth whitened. Most of these reasons are cosmetic in nature like discoloration and special occasions (e.g., job interviews) where you want to have white teeth even though you've made some poor diet choices in the past. However, as you grow older (especially if you're a smoker) you'll have a health reason for tooth whitening. This is because your tooth enamel wears down and can result in oral health problems.
Seeing Your Dentist for Teeth Whitening
When you come to our office to have your teeth whitened, we will start by placing a rubber shield or some gel on your gums to keep them safe. Afterward we'll apply some whitening product to your teeth. This is done with a specially made "mouthguard." (We can also make these mouthguards for you to use when whitening your teeth at home.) This procedure isn't meant to make your teeth whiter nor will it work for you if you have crowns or veneers made from ceramic or porcelain. Nevertheless, if you're seeking long-lasting results and you're concerned about safety, you should visit our office to make sure that things are done correctly.
The Best Way to Whiten Your Teeth
Whitening your teeth is safe, but it could make your teeth feel more sensitive especially immediately afterwards. If you have any tooth decay or some form of receding gums, you're more likely to experience this sensitivity than someone who has a healthy smile. This sensitivity is something that's typically felt on one of your initial treatments, but that will diminish afterwards. Otherwise, this procedure is safe, even though it's essentially the same as bleaching your teeth. Considering this, you may wish to try some tooth whitening toothpaste first. Doing so should remove any surface stains without using any bleach.
If you're interested in a strong and effective professional teeth whitening service, call Riverstone Family Dentistry at (360) 326-1443. We have many years of success in helping people whiten their teeth. You should be next. |
Hours
(360) 326-1443 
Joseph Kim, DDS