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Looking to Whiten You Have Some Options | Dentist in Riverside

Now that the summer is over, it’s time to buckle down and prepare for the onslaught of holidays just around the corner. Not only is it a busy time of year, but it is also a time filled with reasons to smile. And if you aren’t happy with your smile’s brightness, you tend to shy away from smiling for the holiday photos. It’s time to do something about your dingy grin – it’s time to think about teeth whitening options.

Your next choice is the tougher one. In a world where our teeth whitening options have broadened immensely over the last couple of years, how do you choose the best option for you?

First thing’s first: professional or do-it-yourself? While both options do serve you with the same end result, there are differences. You must factor in your budget, the severity of you discoloration, and how dramatic you want your results to be. Once you have those answers, take a look at your procedural options:

Laser bleaching. With laser bleaching, your teeth are in essence bleached and then a light is used to activate the bleach for whitening purposes, performed in one office visit, with three 20-minute bleaching treatments. This is also the most expensive form of teeth whitening options, as the results are seen much faster than other teeth whitening options.

Bleaching trays. The most recognizable of the options includes your dentist taking an impression of your teeth to create custom bleaching trays, used with special bleaching solutions for one to two weeks.

Over-the-counter kits. You find these options at the grocery store in a variety of products, from toothpaste to trays. They are budget friendly, however don’t produce the most dramatic results.

To set up an appointment, call Dr. Middleton’s office in Riverside, CA at 951-688-3442 or through the website. 

Dr. Gerald Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside and all surrounding areas.

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Answering Some Common Teeth Whitening Questions | Riverside Dentist

We all want the best-looking smile possible, but for many of us, keeping our teeth white is a stumbling block many of us have. There are lots of over-the-counter products to try, but the results vary. This makes most of us very wary as to which to choose. So, we make an appointment to get a dental professional to advise us about our options. It is here that patients ask about any questions or concerns they may have about what they’re getting into. Here are the more common questions answered:

How long does teeth whitening last?

Teeth whitening results leaves you with a stunning smile long after treatment is over. However, factors like genetics, diet, age, some medications (like tetracycline), and certain bad habits (like smoking) may affect the length of your whitening results. Fortunately, touch-up treatments are quick and easy, helping you keep that bright white smile as long as possible.

Will my teeth get sensitive?

Tooth sensitivity is a relatively common side effect of teeth whitening, but this discomfort is not an indication of damage to your tooth. If temporary sensitivity occurs, it will go away when you’ve completed the whitening process. Desensitizing toothpastes and gels can help.

Do teeth whitening lights work?

Lots of other in-office whitening treatments use a light or a laser during the whitening process. Are these lights and lasers really effective, though? Current research shows that only hydrogen peroxide (the whitening agent used in Opalescence Boost in-office whitening and Opalescence Go tray whitening) or carbamide peroxide (the whitening agent used in Opalescence PF custom-tray whitening) are effective in whitening teeth. Light activation adds no additional benefit, and some research shows it can be harmful to lips and gums.

To set up an appointment, call Dr. Middleton’s office in Riverside, CA at 951-688-3442 or through the website. 

Dr. Gerald Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside and all surrounding areas.

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We Have a New Addition to Our Treatment Options | Dentist in Riverside

Getting our perfect smile isn’t always an easy feat, but it is something we will not stop striving for. We buy brush our teeth daily with special toothpastes and try to quit smoking, but it is always an ongoing mission to capture the ideal smile.

And while there are plenty of ways to whiten your smile on your own, nothing is better than consulting your dental professional about the best way to properly get the whitest smile possible. After all, good dental hygiene habits will work wonders, but we should get some guidance when setting off on this whitening journey. Over bleaching your smile can cause further damage to your tooth enamel, so it is imperative to seek advice in order to not overdo it. Thankfully, here at Parkside Dental at Riverwalk, we have added a few new options to brighten your smile:

Ready to go. The affordable option, these prefilled 10-pack of disposable whitening trays comfortably adapt to your smile, allowing you to whiten anytime.

Customized. Take-home whitening gel offers patients customized convenience. The gel is delivered via custom-made trays in a variety of concentrations, with wear times ranging from 15 minutes to overnight, giving you more flexibility.

In-office. If you prefer to leave your whitening in the hands of a professional, about an hour in the dental chair using a chemically activated power whitening gel will instantly begin to whiten your smile without the hot, uncomfortable light.

The nice part about the our whitening systems are its many options. Each can be used alone, or jump start the process with an in-office treatment followed by at-home trays.

To set up an appointment, call Dr. Middleton’s office in Riverside, CA at 951-688-3442 or through the website. 

Dr. Gerald Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside and all surrounding areas.