Teeth Whitening – St. Johns, FL

How Are Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening Different?

Although both options claim they can lift stains to brighten your grin by several shades, there’s no guarantee that commercially available products will achieve your desired results. They contain diluted whitening agents and one-size-fits-all trays that can lead to errors in the application. As a result, you might misuse or overapply the product, which can sometimes cause tooth sensitivity.

Meanwhile, Dr. Cohen offers two methods to lighten your smile professionally. He can apply professional-grade gels to lift the shade of your teeth by up to 8 shades in a single hour-long in-office visit. If you’re short on time, he can also offer a take-home kit containing ultra-concentrated gels and custom-fitted application trays for optimal results from the comfort of your couch in as few as 2 weeks.  

Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?

If you’re frustrated by stubbornly stained teeth but are worried that whitening services will hurt, you might avoid undergoing a simple procedure that can enhance your appearance and boost your confidence. That said, if you accidentally place a store-bought whitening strip or gel over a cavity, you might end up at the dentist’s office to alleviate the ensuing ache.

Scheduling an appointment with us is the best way to safely achieve your desired results because we’ll examine your mouth for any potential issues that might interfere with your results. Then, once we know there is no tooth decay or gum disease to address, we’ll proceed with your elected cosmetic enhancement. Dr. Cohen uses top-quality, ultra-concentrated whiteners that are designed specifically to mitigate any potential discomfort while removing years’ worth of dental discoloration.

Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

Although potentially anyone who wants a lighter smile can benefit from this cosmetic service, that doesn’t mean everyone is automatically a good candidate. There are multiple types of stains, and not all of them can be effectively addressed with topical treatments like teeth whitening.

For instance, if your teeth have been darkened by frequent, repeated, or prolonged exposure to deeply toned foods and drinks, these external stains can likely be bleached away. However, some discoloration seeps into or originates in the lower layer of dentin and won’t respond to whiteners. If you have intrinsic blemishes, Dr. Cohen might suggest another cosmetic treatment to improve your appearance, such as veneers or dental bonding, during your consultation appointment.

How Can I Maintain the Results of My Teeth Whitening?

Once you’ve finally achieved just the right shade, it’s natural to want to do everything you can to keep it for as long as possible. Typically, the results from professional teeth whitening can last anywhere from 6 months to 3 years. However, there are some things you can do to prolong their longevity, including:

• Watch what you eat. Steer clear of coffee, tea, wine, berries, and tomatoes, which are all common culprits known to cause stains. Instead, stick to diary products like milk, yogurt, and cheese that contain calcium to support your enamel without tinting your teeth.
• Implement a routine. If you don’t already, now’s the perfect time to start brushing and flossing twice daily (both morning and night). This removes bacteria and plaque buildup that contribute to dental discoloration and strengthens your grin so it’s more stain resistant.
• Schedule follow-up appointments. It’s common for patients to require occasional whitening touch-ups to maintain their ideal shade. Even if that’s not the case, seeing our team every six months for a routine visit allows us to monitor your oral health to catch and address areas of concern, like weakening enamel, before they can progress.