Teeth Whitening San Francisco

Teeth whitening options

At Gentry Dentistry, we offer both in-office and take-home tooth whitening options. These are:

1) In-office laser teeth whitening

Zoom! in-office whitening is the safe and effective laser whitening treatment that our cosmetic dentists use for in-office teeth whitening. With Zoom!, we can lighten your teeth several shades over the course of just one office visit. In fact, in-office tooth whitening can often lighten teeth up to ten shades in one hour. During your in-office teeth whitening, bleaching solution is applied to the teeth with the assistance of specially designed trays. Once the trays are in place, a laser is used to gently heat the solution, working to activate oxygen molecules that can penetrate enamel to remove stains. Unlike in-office teeth whitening without laser assistance, our process allows the bleaching solution to dissolve some extrinsic stains and may be effective even in cases of more pronounced discoloration. For good candidates, Zoom! laser teeth whitening offers immediate results. It may also help reduce risks of sensitivity and gum irritation, both of which can result from over-exposure to topical bleaches.

2) Customized take-home kits

For patients who prefer to whiten their teeth in the comfort and privacy of their own homes, we offer customized take-home whitening kits. These kits come with customized application trays that hug the natural contours and grooves of your teeth, enabling consistent and complete whitening of the enamel. Unlike store bought kits, our teeth whitening trays are molded from models of your actual teeth, a benefit that also reduces risks of tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. Take-home kits gradually lighten enamel over the course of three to four weeks. Worn daily during this time, these kits can lighten teeth several shades and are a wonderful option for men and women who would prefer teeth whitening at home. While this option is wonderful as a stand-alone for some patients, we also offer custom take-home whitening kits with each Zoom! treatment. This way, you can touch up your Zoom! results as time goes by.

Types of tooth stains

There are two types of tooth stains:

• Stains above the enamel (extrinsic)

• Stains below the enamel (intrinsic)

Extrinsic stains are caused by lifestyle choices such as tobacco use, frequent consumption of dark-colored foods and beverages, sodas and sports drinks, inadequate brushing, and infrequent dental visits. Under many circumstances, surface stains can be lightened, at least to an extent, through a professional cleaning.

Maintaining a strong daily oral hygiene routine can help remove surface tooth staining before it sets. However, habits like daily coffee or soda consumption and using tobacco may render any at-home efforts ineffective. If you smoke, we cannot stress enough the importance of quitting – not just for the appearance of your teeth, but for the health of your mouth. Smokers are at a significantly higher risk for gum disease and oral cancer. Tobacco users are also at higher risk for tooth decay, chronic dry mouth, and relentless halitosis.

Intrinsic stains may be a result of the aging process. They may also be caused by external factors such as excessive fluoride in water (fluorosis), tetracycline and doxycycline, and mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride. Because they are located below the enamel of the teeth, these stains may not respond to topical bleaching.

Deep stains are those that occur beneath the enamel of the teeth and can still be treated and may even respond well to the in-office teeth whitening services offered at our San Francisco office. However, if staining is significant or unlikely to respond to tooth whitening treatments, we will discuss other cosmetic dentistry options that may work better for your needs. The best way to learn if tooth whitening or another service will most enhance your smile is through a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Emily Gentry. Call us or complete the form below to set up your consultation today.

Maintain your teeth whitening results

Both of the teeth whitening options provided by our office are designed to be long-lasting. How you care for your teeth after treatment will, however, have a more direct role in the amount of time your results are visible than anything our dentists can do. Fortunately, maintaining teeth whitening results is relatively easy. In many cases, it doesn’t even require much adjustment to routines you already have in place. You can work towards keeping your teeth bright and beautiful by:

• Not smoking, chewing, or otherwise using products with nicotine

• Reducing your intake of coffee, tea, and red wine

• Drinking sodas and sports drinks through a straw

• Reducing your intake of dark foods like berries and sauces

• Washing away stain causers with foods that stimulate saliva production such as apples, strawberries, celery, carrots and pears

• Swishing water in your mouth after eating or drinking so that stain causers don't sit on your teeth

In addition to these steps, you can help keep your teeth white by brushing after every meal and snack with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a slightly abrasive toothpaste. Remember, some types of toothpaste can scratch and damage dental restorations. We offer fluoride booster prescription strength toothpaste at our office, a gentle water-based toothpaste that neutralizes harmful acids, restores lost mineral content, and gently whitens the teeth without abrasives. We would be happy to discuss this option with you during your teeth whitening consultation.

Proper dental hygiene can go a long way in keeping your teeth stain-free. Good teeth cleaning habits will fight the presence of cavity causing bacteria and the food debris that leads to yellowing. Part of a solid oral hygiene routine is twice-yearly visits to our San Francisco office for professional cleanings and examinations. During these visits, we will help you maintain your tooth whitening results by removing surface stains and gently polishing your teeth. If it has been more than six months since your last cleaning, call us today to schedule your next appointment.

Or call us today at (415) 515-4694

Free yourself from insurance

You deserve your own personalized dental team dedicated to protecting your health, lifestyle and privacy...at an affordable monthly price.

Our bespoke dental practice affords us the luxury of time to give every patient the very best: our full energy and focus, our absolute availability, and our true potential. It's an unparalleled standard of care built upon a powerful relationship — the one between you and a truly exceptional dental team.

Ready to learn more?