Teeth Whitening at Dentist San Diego, CA
A brighter, whiter smile can give anyone a boost of confidence. Professionals and consumers alike can agree that teeth whitening at the dentist is preferable. A dentist typically offers more significant results in a quicker fashion, as it utilizes a stronger bleaching solution, heat, and light.
Teeth whitening at the dentist is available at Mission Valley Dental Arts in San Diego and the surrounding area. A dentist can further explain prior to you undergoing any type of treatment. Call Mission Valley Dental Arts at (619) 805-4248 to discuss your tooth whitening options today.
Benefits of Teeth Whitening
One of the most popular cosmetic procedures is teeth whitening. There is a good reason for that. As the Oral Health Foundation puts it, a healthy mouth is a great asset. Beautiful teeth have other day-to-day benefits as well. A stunning smile can give individuals greater confidence, influence their social life, and affect careers and relationships.
Berkeley's Greater Good Magazine says that all those benefits add up to one significant physical health benefit: better heart health. When individuals are confident in their smiles, they smile more. Smiling more has a profound effect on a person's happiness levels and, subsequently, their physical health, as happiness helps the heart recover more quickly from stressful events.
“A stunning smile can give individuals greater confidence, influence their social life, and affect careers and relationships.”
Teeth Whitening at Dentist: An Overview
A dentist's office teeth whitening begins with a consultation where the dentist will review the patient's medical history and expectations for the procedure. Teeth whitening can be done entirely at a dentist appointment or partly at home. Either way, the whitening program implemented is more tailor-made to the patient's mouth, greatly improving the results and reducing the risk of side effects.
Teeth whitening at the dentist offers the quickest and most sustainable results. Most patients see results after the first session. How many sessions a person requires depends on how deeply discolored a person's teeth are. During a typical session, teeth are first cleaned of plaque and debris and prepped for the procedure. Next, the dentist will use a barrier and gauze to protect the gums from the solution while still keeping the patient comfortable. Then, the dentist coats teeth with the bleaching solution and leaves it there for between 30-60 minutes.
“Most patients see results after the first session.”
The Process of Teeth Whitening at the Dentist
While there are various teeth whitening treatments, there are some standard steps that occur. First, we will polish the teeth and gums to get rid of plaque and tartar. Then we will isolate the mouth to protect the cheeks, lips, and tongue from the bleaching agent. We will coat the teeth with the bleaching agent and activate it with a curing light, laser, or heat to activate the peroxide. After waiting 30 to 60 minutes and the patient's teeth reaches the optimal shade, the teeth are rinsed.
Some patients visit only once for whitening, while others make multiple visits. Patients may also be fitted for professional whitening trays they use at home, whether they underwent a whitening procedure in the office or not. These professional kits are less likely to leak and to damage patients' gums than store-bought kits. Our team supervises each procedure to ensure that patients are safe and comfortable.
“Our team supervises each procedure to ensure that patients are safe and comfortable.”
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Aftercare Advice
Most patients want to know how to keep their teeth white after the procedure. There are steps one can take to maintain the results. These include avoiding smoking, staining foods and beverages. If consuming these items, following them with water or brushing one's teeth after will help. Some patients use a straw when drinking staining beverages to cut down on discoloration.
Along with keeping up with an oral care routine at home by brushing and flossing regularly, patients should maintain the recommended two dental visits a year. At these visits, dentists can spot dental issues early as well as polish away surface stains before they have a chance to build up. Patients should discuss their desire to maintain their whitening results with a dentist who can offer additional advice. Patients should ask their dentist which toothpaste will best help them maintain results.
“Along with keeping up with an oral care routine at home by brushing and flossing regularly, patients should maintain the recommended two dental visits a year.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What happens during teeth whitening at the dentist?
Q. What are in-home treatment for teeth whitening?
Q. What happens and an in-office teeth whitening session?
Q. What are the benefits of teeth whitening?
Q. How can patients maintain their teeth whitening results?
People Also Ask
Q. What is laser teeth whitening?
Q. What restorative methods can help patients improve their smiles?
Q. What are the benefits of dental cosmetics?
Q. How can people maintain their results?
In-Home Treatments
People whose gums are in good shape, who have no fillings, and who need just light stain removal may be good candidates for in-home treatment. It is always to consult with a dentist to see if they recommend it. People who decide to pursue at home-treatment should look for the ADA seal on products. The seal shows that products have met certain standards for safety and effectiveness. The ADA keeps a list of these products approved for bleaching.
While in-home treatments are convenient, store-bought kits are not as effective as professional in-home kits. This professional tray-based whitening treatment is a great option for people who want whiter teeth without going to the office. People interested in whitening their teeth should have a consultation with our team to discuss the best, most effective options.
“People whose gums are in good shape, who have no fillings, and who need just light stain removal may be good candidates for in-home treatment.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How does teeth whitening at the dentist work?
A. Before applying a whitening gel to a patient, the dentist will apply a protective gel or guard to the gums to prevent them from becoming discolored. The dentist will then apply the bleaching agent. Once the bleaching agent is applied, the dentist may use heat or light to speed up the whitening process.
Q. Is teeth whitening at the dentist more effective than at-home treatments?
A. Yes, it is. In-office whitening systems use stronger bleaching agents than OTC options. Most at-home options use low-strength bleaching agents that typically contain 3% to 6% hydrogen peroxide. In-office solutions, however, have hydrogen peroxide concentrations of between 15% and 43%.
Q. Is there a cost difference between at-home whitening and teeth whitening at the dentist?
A. OTC whitening solutions are generally the less expensive options. Dentist-supervised treatments and in-office bleaching procedures both typically cost more. However, in-office results last the longest, which can make for savings in the long term.
Q. Is teeth whitening at the dentist safe?
A. Professional treatments at a dentist's office are noticeably more effective. Patients' smiles are usually whiter and stay that way longer. However, patients with healthy teeth and gums and only light tooth staining may benefit from at-home bleaching treatments with the ADA seal. Always talk with your doctor or dentist before whitening at home.
Q. Can anyone be a good candidate for teeth whitening?
A. Much of this depends on why the teeth are discolored and the health of the patient's teeth before the procedure. Teeth whitening is not recommended for pregnant women, those with gum disease, or multiple restorations that do not respond to teeth whitening. Each patient should discuss their unique situation with their dentist to determine if whitening is right for them or if another tooth brightening procedure is a fit.
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Cosmetic Dentistry Terminology
Call Us Today
Teeth whitening at the dentist produces quick and effective results that people can be proud of. Our team at Mission Valley Dental Arts can help. Call us today at 619-805-4248 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2025
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2025
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2025
About our business, license, and website security
- Mission Valley Dental Arts was established in 2000.
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- We serve patients from the following counties: San Diego County
- We serve patients from the following cities: Mission Valley, San Diego, La Mesa, Chula Vista, La Jolla, Lakeside, Santee, Spring Valley, National City, Pacific Beach, Del Mar, Scripps Ranch, and Bonita
- CA (License #105712). View License Information and Specifics
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