Whitening lightens teeth and helps to remove stains and discolouration. It is among the most popular cosmetic dental procedures because it can greatly improve how your teeth look. Whitening is not a one-time procedure; you must repeat it from time to time to maintain the brighter colour.

The most common reasons for teeth to get yellow or stained are:

• Using tobacco
• Drinking dark-coloured liquids such as coffee, cola, tea and red wine
• Not taking good care of your teeth

Many dental problems can affect the success of tooth whitening. You must have your cavities treated before whitening. This is because the whitening solution can pass through decayed areas and reach the inner parts of the tooth. If your gums have receded, the exposed roots of your teeth may appear yellow or discoloured. Whitening products will not make them whiter. If you have tooth decay or receding gums, whitening may make your teeth sensitive. Whitening also does not work on ceramic or porcelain crowns or veneers.

For in-office Zoom! ® whitening, Dr. Hanson will photograph your teeth first. This will help him to monitor the progress of the treatment. He also will examine your teeth and ask questions to find out what caused the staining. If necessary, your dental hygienist will clean your teeth. This will remove the film of bacteria, food, and other substances that build up on your teeth and contribute to the staining. The whitening procedure can then begin.

You can also choose to whiten your teeth at home. You will first need to come to the office to see if you are a suitable candidate and have a custom whitening tray made. We will follow-up with you to ensure that your at-home whitening treatment is working.

Whitening is not a permanent solution; the stains will come back. If you smoke or consume a lot of staining foods or drinks, you may see the whiteness start to fade in as little as one month. If you avoid these sources of staining, you may not need another whitening treatment for 6 to 12 months.