Am I a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

Want whiter teeth, but feel overwhelmed by the plethora of teeth-whitening options available at your local drugstore? You’re not alone.

Whitening toothpastes, whitening strips, whitening gels, whitening trays, whitening teeth while you tan … the list goes on and on. It’s no wonder people wander the drugstore aisles with confused looks on their faces!

Let’s face it. Whiter teeth is big business, and everyone wants to cash in. Even a survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry found that “whiter teeth” was the most common response to what people wanted most to improve about their smile.

Before wasting time, money and effort on teeth-whitening products that don’t work, consider these tips from Franklin Family Dentistry.

What Stains Teeth?

Consuming certain foods and drinks, such as coffee, tea and red wine, on a regular basis can result in stained teeth. The tar and nicotine in tobacco is another big culprit. Age, mouth trauma, and even some medications can also discolor teeth.

Is Teeth Whitening Safe?

The American Dental Association recommends three safe ways to whiten teeth:

Use whitening toothpastes with the ADA Seal
In-office bleaching by your dentist
At-home bleaching (contains a lower concentration of bleaching agent than what a dentist uses)

Is Teeth Whitening for Everyone?

Not all stains can be lightened by over-the-counter or professional bleaching, so ask your dentist for guidance. If you have sensitive teeth, gum disease or teeth with worn enamel, your dentist may discourage teeth whitening

If your teeth are yellowed, bleaching tends to work well. However, brown or gray teeth, and teeth discolored by medication or injury do not respond as well to bleaching. Whitening will not work on caps, veneers, crowns or fillings.

How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost?

Teeth-whitening procedures in a dentist office are not typically covered under dental insurance plans, so prepare to pay out-of-pocket for this procedure. At Franklin Family Dentistry, we offer the Zoom! Teeth Whitening procedure with our $350 coupon.

The cost of Zoom! sometimes varies, depending on the type of stains on your teeth, how bad the stains are and whether any other dental work needs to be done before the procedure. It typically takes about 2 hours in the dentist’s office to get the desired shade, but some patients may require more than one visit.