Great oral health--it's a wonderful personal asset, and you're grateful for it. However, over time, your straight, strong smile has become dull and yellowish. Happily, your dentists in Ringwood, NJ, Dr. David Kahn and Dr. John Pergolizzi, offer in-office or at-home teeth whitening. This popular cosmetic service brightens stained tooth enamel by as many as eight shades. Learn about this effective and safe procedure that will leave you smiling.

Tooth color changes

It's almost inevitable. Dark drinks and foods, poor oral hygiene, use of some prescription drugs, the aging process and more put staining material deep into tooth enamel. While professional cleaning helps, often it won't remove stubborn, long-standing stains.

Over-the-counter toothpastes, rinses, and strips help, but often, they cause dental and gingival (gum) sensitivity or simply don't do the job. What's a teen or adult dental patient to do?

Enter professional teeth whitening

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry says it's today's most sought-after aesthetic treatment. Done either at-home over several days or in the Ringwood dental office in just about an hour, professional teeth whitening produces tremendous results with no residual effects. And, the color lasts!

How it works

First, Dr. Kahn or Dr. Pergolizzi examines your teeth and gums to look for any decay, cracked restorations or gum disease. If all is well, your dentist will offer in-office or at-home whitening. Both deliver powerful hydrogen peroxide gel to top and bottom teeth. Peroxide is a safe bleaching agent which actually lifts staining organic matter right out of tooth surfaces.

In the office, the treatment takes only an hour. Your gums and lips will be protected with a plastic dam as the dentist applies the gel to your teeth. Allowed to penetrate your tooth enamel, the gel is rinsed off, leaving your teeth bright and shiny.

If you select the at-home version, you'll receive customized acrylic trays to fill with a less concentrated version of the whitening gel. You'll fill and wear the trays daily, keeping them in place for a prescribed amount of time. Results are the same as in-office whitening.

Keeping it bright

A newly whitened smile stays bright with routine brushing (twice a day) and flossing (once a day). Also, choose your foods and beverages carefully, limiting items known to stain teeth and restorations--coffee, tea, blueberries, curry, and tomato sauce as examples. Avoid all forms of tobacco, and drink plenty of water to wash your teeth clean and increase saliva and its helpful enzymes. See your dentist every six months for a cleaning and check-up. Overall, your teeth will look great for years, with just occasional whitening touch-ups.

Is it for you?

Your dentist offers many wonderful ways to improve the appearance of your smile. Economical teeth whitening is just one of them. To find out more, why not contact the office in Ringwood, NJ, and arrange a cosmetic dentistry consultation with Dr. Kahn or Dr. Pergolizzi? You'll be amazed at the many options you have. Call (973) 835-3900.