Restore Your Smile & Confidence

Do you catch yourself sometimes trying to hide your smile? If you have stained, yellowed, or discolored teeth, it can negatively impact your social life and confidence. Fortunately, at Family Implant & Reconstructive Dentistry, Havre de Grace, MD, dentist Dr. Grubb and our skilled team offer in-office and take-home teeth whitening treatments to remove deep stains from your teeth and rejuvenate your smile.

Our professional teeth whitening services brighten your smile in just one painless appointment. Are you ready to get started? Call (410) 939-5800 to schedule your cosmetic dentistry consultation with Dr. Grubb.

What is Professional Teeth Whitening?

Professional teeth whitening is a dental procedure that brightens your teeth. It uses a powerful bleaching agent that removes stains and discoloration from teeth. Professional teeth whitening methods often use carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide as the main whitening agents. Unlike over-the-counter teeth whitening products, professional teeth whitening procedures are performed under the supervision of a dentist and are more effective.

There are two main types of professional teeth whitening procedures that dentists typically offer:

• In-office teeth whitening is a more concentrated and powerful treatment performed in a dental office.
• At-home teeth whitening involves using a custom-made whitening tray that you wear at home for a certain period. Professional teeth whitening methods include in-office treatments and custom take-home trays.

Over-the-counter teeth whitening products, such as whitening toothpastes, whitening strips, or a teeth whitening pen, don’t offer the same results as professional treatments. They can also cause harm to your teeth. If you’re looking for a whitening solution, contact Dr. Grubb at our Havre De Grace dental office.

Benefits of Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening offers several advantages over store-bought whitening products:

• Faster and More Effective Results: Our professional-grade treatments can whiten your teeth by several shades in a single session while over-the-counter products may require weeks or months of use for noticeable results.
• Safer and Gentler Process: Our dental team carefully monitors the whitening process to ensure your safety and comfort. Over-the-counter products can be harsh and potentially damage your tooth enamel if misused. Professional teeth whitening procedures are safe and effective, ensuring minimal risk to your teeth and gums.
• Customized Treatment: Dr. Grubb will evaluate your needs and dental history to recommend the best whitening option.
• Long-Lasting Results: With proper maintenance and avoiding staining foods and beverages, your professional whitening results can last for years.

Causes of Yellowed or Discolored Teeth

A variety of factors can cause your teeth to become stained, discolored, or yellowed over time. While common causes of teeth staining include aging and genetics, other factors can further contribute, including:

• Foods & Drinks: Certain fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, beets, and pomegranates can stain your teeth, as can certain beverages including coffee, tea, red wine, and carbonated sodas.
• Tobacco: Smoking and chewing tobacco can rot your teeth over time.
• Poor Oral Hygiene: Neglecting to brush and floss daily allows plaque to build up in your teeth, leading to many oral health issues including discoloration.
• Medications: Certain antibiotics like tetracycline and doxycycline are known to stain teeth when given to children. Some antihistamines and blood pressure medications have similar effects for adults.
• Fluoride: Excessive amounts of fluoride can result in deeply stained teeth.

The Teeth Whitening Process

In-Office Teeth Whitening

Dr. Grubb can remove years of deep stains and discoloration with in-office teeth whitening right here at our Havre de Grace dental office. When you arrive, we’ll evaluate your oral health to ensure the in-office whitening process is right for your teeth. The American Dental Association provides guidelines to ensure the safety and effectiveness of teeth whitening procedures.

Once confirmed, our staff will protect your gums and soft tissue. Then, Dr. Grubb can apply a strong whitening gel in 15-minute intervals until all stains are removed from the enamel and your teeth surfaces. In-office teeth whitening is designed to whiten natural teeth effectively.

Our in-office whitening system can provide a smile of up to 10 shades whiter in just one appointment. Afterward, Dr. Grubb will remove the whitening agent, and you can start enjoying the beauty of your renewed smile.

At-Home Teeth Whitening

Dr. Grubb and our practice also offer take-home whitening kits for patients who want to brighten their smiles in the comfort of their own homes. During your initial appointment, Dr. Grubb will take high-quality impressions of your teeth to create whitening trays customized for your bite. We’ll also provide a strong whitening gel, which will help give you a smile that’s several shades whiter.

Patients may need to wear the custom trays for several hours a day, typically ranging from two to 10 hours a day, depending on the concentration of the whitening gel. Carbamide peroxide is often used in at-home whitening kits for its extended effectiveness.

Your whitening trays can be used alone or in addition to professional treatment. Since they’re custom-made to fit your unique dental profile, our at-home teeth whitening trays are more effective than those found in store-bought kits.

Maintaining Your Teeth Whitening Results

After your professional teeth whitening treatment, you’ll want to take extra care of your teeth to ensure long-lasting results. Our cosmetic dentist may recommend the following whitening aftercare steps:

• Avoid staining foods and beverages
• Avoid acidic foods and drinks
• No smoking
• Brush gently
• Rinse with water after meals
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Use a straw
• Consider touch-up whitening treatments
• Maintain good oral hygiene
• Schedule regular dental visits at our Havre De Grace dental office

Who Isn’t a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

When determining if you’re a candidate for teeth whitening, visit Family Implant and Reconstructive Dentistry. Our Havre De Grace dentist will evaluate your oral health and the cause of your tooth discoloration. Some people may not be suitable for professional teeth whitening, such as those who have:

• Tooth sensitivity or sensitive gums
• Tooth decay or gum disease
• Tooth-colored fillings, crowns, or veneers
• Allergies to the bleaching agent used in the procedure

Individuals with sensitive teeth should consult their dentist before undergoing any whitening procedure.

If you have any of these conditions, our dentist may recommend other whitening options or treatments to improve the appearance of your teeth.

Types of Professional Teeth Whitening Methods

With various options available today, patients often have the pleasure of choosing a teeth whitening solution that will work best for their goals. Although Dr. Grubb doesn’t offer all of the following options, learning about each can help you make an informed decision regarding your teeth whitening treatment.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

• Zoom Whitening (by Philips): Uses a special light to activate a hydrogen peroxide gel, whitening teeth in about 45 minutes.
• Opalescence Boost: Uses a chemically activated formula, meaning it doesn’t need light for activation.
• LaserSmile (by Biolase): Uses a laser to activate the whitening gel.

Take-Home Teeth Whitening Kits

• Opalescence PF Take-Home Whitening Kit: Features customized teeth whitening trays and a range of concentration options.
• DayWhite and NiteWhite (by Philips) Whitening Kit: Take-home systems that provide options for both daytime and overnight wear.

Deep Bleaching

• KöR Whitening Deep Bleaching System: Known for its ability to whiten even tetracycline-stained teeth.

Internal Tooth Bleaching

For teeth that have had a root canal and are discolored from the inside, a dentist can perform internal bleaching. The dentist places whitening agents inside the tooth and seals it. After a few days, the tooth is checked and the process might be repeated or finalized with a permanent restoration.

Teeth Whitening Costs

On average, patients can expect to spend around $500 to $1,000 on professional teeth whitening services. Various factors will affect the cost of your teeth whitening treatment, including:

• Geographic location
• Type of treatment
• Dentist’s experience
• The duration and number of sessions needed
• Additional procedures

In most cases, dental insurance won’t cover the costs of teeth whitening treatments as it’s considered an elective procedure. We always recommend reaching out to your insurance provider to learn more about your plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brighten Your Smile With Teeth Whitening Services

At Family Implant & Reconstructive Dentistry, Dr. Grubb understands how yellowed or discolored teeth can make it difficult to show off your smile. That’s why we offer professional teeth whitening services to help you safely and quickly achieve a stunning, beautiful set of pearly whites. Your journey to a whiter smile is easier than you think!

If you live near our Havre de Grace practice or in the Havre de Grace Heights, Bayview Estates, and Osborne areas, contact us today by calling (410) 939-5800 or completing an online contact form. We look forward to brightening your day with our teeth-whitening services!