Teeth Whitening—What options are there?

There are three main criteria I consider when considering if teeth whitening is right for my patients.

1. What is the existing shade of my patient’s teeth? If my patient’s teeth are already excessively light, we would obviously not expect a dramatic improvement.
2. Are there stains or discolorations that will be unlikely to easily be removed by whitening? These typically look like dark bands (likely from antibiotics as a child) or white bloches (likely from too much or not enough Flouride).
3. Are your teeth normally sensitive to cold or when brushing your teeth? The process of whitening can temporarily increase sensitivity on teeth that are not normally sensitive. Therefore if your teeth are already sensitive, the process of whitening may make this worse.
4. When were your teeth last professionally cleaned? Whitening materials can have problems getting to the surface of your tooth if it is covered in plaque and tartar. Whitening works best if coordinated within days of your dental cleaning.

For additional information about Dr. Jamie J. Alexander, his private practice or his approach please find us at drjamiealexander.com. Call as and ask about a complimentary visit to evaluate the shade of your teeth.