How to Whiten Your Teeth for the Holidays

If you are dreaming of a white, bright smile this holiday season, Coleman Advanced Dentistry is here to help. Our experienced cosmetic dentists and team are pleased to offer professional whitening treatments and tips to keep you smiling your best this season and all year long. We invite you to visit our Vista practice to get started today!

How Do Teeth Get Stained and Discolored?

As the years go by, years of exposure to foods and beverages like coffee, tea, sodas, and berries can leave your teeth stained and discolored. Tobacco use can also leave your teeth yellowish and dull. Coleman Advanced Dentistry is pleased to offer teeth whitening treatments to erase teeth stains and discoloration, leaving you with a whiter, brighter smile.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

At Coleman Advanced Dentistry, we offer Opalescence Boost in-office whitening to lift teeth stains and discoloration with dazzling results. The procedure involves applying a powerful, chemically-activated hydrogen peroxide gel onto your tooth surfaces and rinsing it off in 10-15 minutes. We will repeat the applications until you achieve your desired treatment results. Just one short office visit can leave you with a smile several shades whiter and brighter!

If you would rather whiten your teeth at home, we are happy to provide you with custom whitening trays and professional-grade whitening gel. These at-home whitening kits are also perfect for occasional touch-ups after your in-office whitening treatment to maintain your bright smile.

What if I Am Not a Candidate for Whitening Treatments?

Teeth whitening works best on yellowish stains resulting from repeated exposure to staining foods and drinks, as well as the use of tobacco products. However, grayish or brownish stains from injury, trauma, or the use of certain medications may not produce the whitening results you desire. Moreover, peroxide-based whitening treatments will not lift stains off dental work like tooth-colored fillings, crowns, or dentures.

If you are not a candidate for traditional whitening treatments, our skilled dentists may recommend alternative cosmetic dentistry solutions, like porcelain veneers, cosmetic bonding, or dental crowns. Your new restoration will mask severe tooth staining or discoloration, leaving you with a dazzling smile. Aside from brightening your teeth, dental veneers, cosmetic bonding, or dental crowns can improve the size, length, shape, or alignment of your teeth, delivering a flawless, uniform smile.

What About Teeth Whitening Toothpaste?

Teeth whitening toothpastes have mild abrasives that remove surface stains. They do not contain bleaching agents that lift teeth stains and discoloration, altering the color of your tooth enamel. Teeth whitening toothpastes are more suitable for use for maintenance after you achieve your pearly white, dazzling holiday smile.

How About Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Options?

There are many different whitening products available for purchase online or from your local drugstore. These include whitening strips, gels, rinses, or do-it-yourself kits. While many promise dazzling smiles, most are sure to disappoint. Not only do these kits take days and weeks to show any results, but some contain harsh abrasives or chemicals that can cause tooth sensitivity and damage to your teeth and gums.

We highly recommend speaking with one of our team at Coleman Advanced Dentistry before you start any do-it-your-yourself or natural teeth whitening treatments. That will ensure you achieve your white smile without harm to your oral health.

How Can I Maintain My White, Bright Smile?

Once your smile is ready for the holidays, there are things you can do to maintain its sparkle. Here are some tips to help you enjoy a dazzling smile this festive season and all year long:

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: It is essential to maintain good oral hygiene practices, including regular brushing and flossing, to keep your smile clean and your teeth white and bright.
Limit Staining Foods: Limit foods and drinks that stain your teeth, such as coffee, red wine, soy sauce, berries, and tomato-based dishes.
Refrain from Tobacco Use: Aside from posing a risk to your oral and overall health, tobacco use in any form can lead to dull, discolored teeth.
Drink Lots of Water: Water helps wash away bacteria and food debris and neutralizes acids, keeping your smile fresh and lowering the risk of staining.
Chew Sugar-Free Gum: Sugar-free gum increases saliva production, which helps wash away food particles and neutralizes acids, preventing new staining.
Eat Plenty of Fruit and Vegetables: Foods like carrots, celery, and apples provide vitamin C, which can boost saliva production, flushing away debris and brightening your smile.
Touch-Up Whitening: If your teeth look dull and discolored after professional teeth whitening, use your at-home touch-up kit to restore your white, bright smile.

The Importance of Routine Dental Exams and Cleanings

One of the most important things to do for your smile is to schedule your regular, twice-yearly dental exams and cleanings. During your exams, our experienced dental team will look out for early signs of oral health concerns, ensuring prompt treatment. A clean, healthy mouth translates to a bright, beautiful smile.

During your teeth cleanings, we will remove plaque and tartar buildup and tooth surface stains, brightening your smile. We are also happy to offer touch-up whitening treatments to keep you smiling your best.

After your dental cleaning, we will apply fluoride varnish to your tooth surfaces. The cavity-fighting mineral strengthens your tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay, cavities, and staining. Fluoride has been shown to protect against discoloration from staining agents in coffee, tea, or smoking or from the natural aging process.

Professional Teeth Whitening Near Me in Vista, CA

Don’t let stained or discolored teeth interfere with your smile this holiday season. Visit Coleman Dentistry for professional teeth whitening treatments and tips on keeping teeth stains and discoloration at bay. Our exceptional dentists and team are here to ensure you enjoy memorable holiday festivities with a white, bright, and dazzling smile. We invite you to call us at 760-726-0770 to schedule your appointment today!