At Gateway Family Dentistry, we understand that one of the most common desires our patients have is whiter teeth. When considering your whitening options, we encourage you to consult with us to ensure you understand all the facts and how whitening may affect your teeth and mouth.

Many people assume tooth discoloration results from plaque or dirt. However, various factors affect tooth color, including food, drink, tobacco, age, injury, and medications. Identifying the cause of discoloration is essential for effective whitening.

Teeth whitening products use bleaches—either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide—to break stains into smaller pieces, making them less visible and your teeth brighter. These bleaches don't work on all teeth, so we recommend consulting with our team before treatment. Whitening won't be effective on caps, veneers, crowns, fillings, or if medications or injury caused the discoloration.

Teeth whitening options typically include whitening toothpastes, at-home bleaching, and in-office bleaching. Effectiveness, safety, and results vary significantly between products. Our dentists can discuss which option works best for your needs.

Bleach can irritate the nerves and cause tooth sensitivity if it penetrates your tooth enamel. While this sensitivity is usually temporary, overusing whiteners can cause lasting damage. If you experience prolonged side effects from teeth whitening, contact Gateway Family Dentistry immediately.