Teeth Whitening – La Porte, IN
A Brighter Smile Is Closer Than You Think
As the years go by, coffee, tea, red wine, and simply aging can dim even the most carefully brushed smiles. But that doesn’t mean these stubborn stains have to be permanent. At Region Dental, our team of cosmetic dental experts offers professional teeth whitening in La Porte to help you remove discoloration and reveal a smile you'll be proud to show off. Whether you're freshening up before a big event or finally breaking up years of buildup, our take-home kits can help you shine.
Why Choose Region Dental for Teeth Whitening?
- Personalized Whitening Solutions
- Caring and Professional Cosmetic Dentists
- Convenient Take-Home Whitening Kits
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Most patients with extrinsic stains (the kind caused by things like food, drinks, and tobacco) are excellent candidates for professional teeth whitening. If your teeth and gums are healthy and your discoloration sits on or near the surface of your enamel, whitening can make a dramatic difference.
Patients with tooth sensitivity, restorations like crowns or veneers, or deeper intrinsic stains may need a different solution or more rounds of treatment. Rest assured that our team will evaluate your smile at your consultation and help you decide whether teeth whitening is right for you before we begin.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Professional teeth whitening uses a concentrated gel or hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide to break down and lift stains from the surface of your smile. Unlike store-bought strips that rely on weaker formulas, our professional-grade kits go deep into your enamel to effectively remove stubborn stains.
Even discoloration caused by years of coffee, tea, or red wine can be erased quickly, resulting in a noticeably brighter smile. And with good care and maintenance, your treatment will last far longer than anything available over the counter.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Our take-home whitening kits give you the power of professional results on your own schedule. At our Le Porte office, we'll create custom-fitted trays to hold the whitening gel snugly against your teeth and minimize gum irritation.
Simply wear them as directed every day, and within a couple of weeks, you'll see a significantly whiter, more refreshed smile—all from the comfort of your home.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Once you've achieved the brightest smile you’ve ever had, you’ll just need to build a few simple habits to help your results go the distance.
- Rinse with water after consuming staining foods and beverages like coffee, tea, or red wine.
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and a few times a week with ADA-approved whitening toothpaste to keep surface stains from building back up.
- Floss each day before bed to get rid of pigment-bearing plaque buildup.
- Limit tobacco products and vaping to protect both your results and your overall oral health.
- Attend regular checkups and cleanings at our La Porte office once every six months.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
When Should I Start Whitening My Teeth for a Special Event?
Oftentimes, patients assume that they can wait to schedule an appointment until a few weeks before the event. However, that doesn’t leave time for any preliminary treatments that are needed. Plus, it may take more than one whitening treatment to achieve the results you desire. For those two reasons, we recommend booking a consultation with Dr. Daniel Berquist or Dr. Joseph Ornelas when you first decide that you’re interested in take-home whitening.
Are the Results of Teeth Whitening Permanent?
Sadly, the results of your teeth whitening treatment will eventually fade. The good news is that there are certain steps you can take to prolong your results, starting with brushing your teeth for two full minutes each morning and evening. Then, when discoloration eventually does resurface, you can also schedule a touch-up whitening treatment at our office!
What Foods Should I Avoid Following My Teeth Whitening Treatment?
In an effort to prevent noticeable yellow stains from quickly resurfacing after your teeth whitening treatment in La Porte, we recommend avoiding dark chocolate, beets, and other foods that have the potential to stain your teeth. You should also steer clear of dark-colored sauces, such as BBQ sauce, marinara sauce, and soy sauce. Instead, fill your plate with foods like white rice, egg whites, bananas, oatmeal, and cottage cheese.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Teeth Whitening?
It’s very rare for dental insurance providers to cover elective treatments, like teeth whitening. However, that doesn’t mean that the cost can’t fit into your budget. At Region Dental, we welcome payment plans with CareCredit, which is a trusted third-party financier. As a result, you can break down the total cost into smaller, more manageable chunks that comfortably fit within your budget.
Can I Drink Coffee After Whitening My Teeth?
Drinking coffee is not recommended immediately following your teeth whitening treatment. Instead, you should stick to room-temperature water (this will prevent stains from quickly resurfacing and avoid exacerbating any sensitivity you’re experiencing). Even after you do get the green light to incorporate coffee back into your routine, you need to use a straw and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water when you’re done. If you can, you should brush your teeth about 20 minutes later, too.
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
No. In fact, the teeth whitening process is so painless that we don’t need to numb your mouth! With that said, some patients do experience some sensitivity from time to time. If your teeth are prone to sensitivity already, then we will take certain precautions to help keep you comfortable, like spacing out your whitening treatments and having you use a desensitizing toothpaste.