Brighten Your Smile

Everybody loves a bright white smile, and there are a variety of products and procedures available to help you improve the look of yours.

Many people are satisfied with the sparkle they get from brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, flossing once a day, and regular cleanings at the dentist's office. However, if you decide you would like to go beyond regular care to make your smile look brighter, you should investigate all of your options.

Find the Right Whitening System

Schedule a visit with Dr. Jackson to learn whether whitening procedures would be effective for you. Whiteners do not correct all types of discoloration. For example, yellowish teeth will probably bleach well, brownish teeth may bleach less well, and grayish teeth may not bleach well at all. Likewise, whitening may not enhance your smile if you have had tooth-colored fillings or crowns. The whitener will not affect the color of these materials and they will stand out in your newly whitened smile. In these cases, you do have other options, such as porcelain veneers.

Tooth Whitening Treatments

• Professional teeth whitening with your doctor - LumiBrite
• At-home whitening system
• Whitening toothpaste

LumiBrite - Professional Whitening System

LumiBrite Whitening System is your best choice when you need immediate whitening results. LumiBrite is a chairside bleaching system which requires two office visits. Each visit may take from sixty to ninety minutes and are usually scheduled two weeks apart.

During the LumiBrite bleaching process, we will apply either a protective gel to your gums or a rubber shield to protect the oral soft tissues. The LumiBrite bleaching agent is then applied to the teeth and a special light is used to enhance the action of the agent. You will receive whitening trays to use in between your in-office bleaching appointments and to maintain your new smile at home

At Home Whitening Systems

There are several types of products available for use at home which can either be dispensed by our office or purchased over the counter. They are generally teeth whitening trays (mouthguards), strips, or paint-on products.

Teeth Whitening Trays

These products contain peroxide(s) which actually bleach the tooth enamel. Carbamide peroxide is the bleaching agent and comes in several different concentrations (10%, 16%, and 22%). Peroxide-containing whiteners typically come in a gel and are placed in a mouthguard. Usage regimens vary. Some products are used twice a day for 2 weeks, while others are intended for overnight use for 1-2 weeks. When you obtain the bleaching solution from our office, we make a custom-fitted mouthguard for you that will fit your teeth precisely.

Teeth whitening can have minor side effects and you should speak with your doctor if these become bothersome. For example, teeth can become sensitive during the period when you are using the bleaching solution. In most cases, this sensitivity is temporary and should lessen once the treatment is finished. Some people also experience soft tissue irritation, either from a tray that doesn't fit properly or from solution that may come in contact with the tissues. If you have concerns about such side effects, you should discuss them with the doctor.

Sheer White Strips

Sheer White Strips are easy to use and many people who typically experience sensitivity when bleaching their teeth have found Sheer White Strips to be a more comfortable alternative to bleaching trays.

Whitening Toothpaste

All toothpastes help remove surface stain from your teeth through the action of mild abrasives. "Whitening" toothpastes in the ADA Seal of Acceptance program have special chemical or polishing agents that provide additional stain removal effectiveness. Whitening toothpaste can be effective in helping to remove coffee or red wine stain in between your dental cleaning visits. Unlike bleaches, these ADA Accepted products do not alter the intrinsic color of teeth.