Teeth Whitening Specialist
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Menlo Park Family Dental
General Family Dentistry & Cosmetic Dentistry located in Menlo Park, CA
Stop hiding your smile due to stained or discolored teeth. At Menlo Park Family Dental in Menlo Park, California, the team provides teeth whitening to restore your self-confidence and give you a smile you can’t wait to share. Schedule an appointment online, or call the office to find out if you’re a candidate for teeth whitening services.
Teeth Whitening Q & A
What causes stained teeth?
Many factors, including diet and aging, affect the color of your teeth. Tooth enamel is porous, allowing dark-colored food and beverages to stain it over time. The natural aging process also results in a yellow tooth appearance, as the outer layer of your teeth becomes thinner and the inside, darker layer of your teeth, shows through.
Cosmetic teeth whitening can lighten and restore a whiter color.
The most common causes of stained teeth include:
- Poor oral hygiene practices
- Drinking cola, coffee, and red wine
- Smoking
- Excessive fluoride
- Prescription medications
- Dark-colored foods
While it is normal for teeth to become darker or discolored over time, it’s an unwanted sign of aging for many people.
How does tooth whitening work?
Menlo Park Family Dental offers Opalescence® tooth whitening products for on-the-go whitening, custom take-home whitening, and in-office treatments.
At-home tooth whitening involves custom-made dental trays you fill with gel. While you may see results after the first use, it may take several sessions to achieve full results.
In-office whitening involves your dentist applying a hydrogen peroxide whitening gel to your teeth and using special lights to help break up stains and penetrate the deeper layers of your teeth. In-office teeth whitening takes about an hour and you’ll leave the practice with whiter teeth and the smile you’ve always dreamed of!
Can I get teeth whitening?
While most people can benefit from teeth whitening, not everyone is eligible. You need healthy gums to get your teeth whitened. You also must be over age 16. The team at Menlo Park Family Dental determines whether you are a candidate for teeth whitening during a dental exam.
If you have a lot of dental fillings, you may not be eligible for teeth whitening. The materials used to fill cavities do not whiten the same way natural teeth do. In some cases, people with dental fillings can get their teeth whitened and then have their fillings replaced to match their newly whitened teeth.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid teeth whitening.
Find out if you’re a candidate for Opalescence teeth whitening by calling Menlo Park Family Dental or using the online scheduling tool.
