Love your smile again with professional teeth whitening, a safe and effective way to brighten teeth that look dull or yellowed. At Southern York Smile Care in Shrewsbury, PA, we help patients get a brighter smile that still looks natural. Here is how whitening works, what results to expect, and how to keep your smile bright for years.
Why teeth lose their brightness
There is nothing like bright teeth that light up your whole face when you smile and laugh. But teeth naturally darken with time. Knowing why helps you choose the right treatment.
Surface stains
Coffee, tea, red wine, cola, berries, sauces and tobacco all leave stains on the outer layer of enamel. Many of these stains lift with a professional cleaning and polishing.
Deeper stains
Over time, staining molecules work their way into the enamel. At the same time, enamel slowly thins with age and the yellower layer beneath it, called dentin, shows through more. Whitening is designed to break up these deeper stains.
Stains whitening cannot change
Some discoloration does not respond well to bleaching. This includes gray staining from certain medications taken in childhood, very dark single teeth after an injury, and the color of crowns, veneers and fillings. If whitening is not the right tool, we will tell you and talk about other options.
The first step is a simple exam. We look at the color of your teeth, check for any dental work in the front of your mouth, and find out what has caused the staining. That tells us whether whitening will work well for you, which method to use and how bright your teeth are likely to become.
How professional teeth whitening works
Professional whitening uses a gel with a bleaching agent, usually a form of peroxide. The gel breaks apart staining molecules so your teeth reflect more light and look brighter. Because the gel is stronger than most store-bought products, it needs a careful, controlled approach.
In-office laser whitening
With laser teeth whitening, the gel is applied in our office while your gums and lips are protected. Light helps activate the gel. Many patients see a clear change in a single visit, which makes it a great choice before a wedding, a party or a family portrait.
At-home whitening with custom trays
We can also make trays shaped to your teeth for whitening at home. You wear them for a set time each day with a professional gel. The change is more gradual, and the trays are handy for touch-ups later.
Learn more about both options on our teeth whitening page.
Professional whitening versus store-bought kits
Drugstore strips and trays can lighten teeth a little. But they have limits:
- One size fits all. Store trays and strips do not fit every tooth, so results can be patchy and gel can irritate the gums.
- Weaker gels. Results tend to be slower and more modest.
- No exam first. Whitening over a cavity, cracked tooth or receding gums can cause pain. A dental exam first makes sure your teeth are ready.
Teeth whitening is not a gimmick. When it is done under a dentist's guidance, it is safe and effective for most people.
What results can you expect?
You may have seen the porcelain tabs in a range of shades that dentists use to match tooth color. Shade guides now include levels much whiter than older guides did. Professional whitening can move many patients several shades brighter.
How white your teeth become depends on your starting shade, the type of stain and how your teeth respond. Yellowish stains often whiten very well. Grayish stains can be more stubborn. We will give you an honest estimate at your consultation.
Our goal is a smile that looks bright and healthy on your face, not one that looks painted on. Dr. Steven Haywood, DDS, trained in cosmetic dentistry through the NYU Aesthetic Continuum and will help you choose a shade that suits your skin tone and features.
A big event coming up?
If you have a wedding, graduation, reunion or formal family portrait on the calendar, plan ahead. Whiter teeth can give you extra confidence in photos, even close-ups. Schedule a cleaning and exam a few weeks before the event, then whiten. That leaves time to fine-tune the shade with your custom trays and lets any short-term sensitivity settle well before the big day. If time is short, in-office laser whitening can give a noticeable change in one visit.
Is whitening comfortable?
Some people feel temporary sensitivity during or shortly after whitening. It usually fades within a day or two. To keep you comfortable, we can:
- Check for cavities, cracks and exposed roots before starting
- Adjust the strength of the gel or the length of treatment
- Suggest a toothpaste for sensitive teeth in the weeks before and after
- Space out at-home sessions if your teeth need a break
If you have very sensitive teeth, tell us. We will plan an approach that fits.
Who should wait?
Whitening is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and it is usually best to wait until a child's adult teeth have fully come in. If you have untreated cavities or gum disease, we will treat those first so whitening is safe and comfortable.
Keeping your smile bright
Whitening results last a long time, but they are not permanent. New stains build up gradually. These habits help your results last:
- Keep your regular cleanings. Our dental cleanings are a full 60 minutes and polish away new surface stains. Professional whitening after a cleaning is often the best value in cosmetic dentistry.
- Rinse after dark drinks. A sip of water after coffee, tea or red wine helps.
- Use a straw for iced coffee and other dark drinks.
- Avoid tobacco, which stains teeth quickly.
- Touch up as needed with your custom trays.
Whitening and other cosmetic work
If you plan to get veneers, crowns or bonding on front teeth, whiten first. New work is matched to your natural shade, so whitening afterward would leave the new work darker than your teeth. See our cosmetic dentistry page to explore other ways to refresh your smile.
Whitening is usually considered cosmetic and is not covered by insurance. We are out of network with every insurer, and CareCredit and Cherry payment plans are available. See our financing page.
Flash a smile you love
No one has to settle for dull, yellow teeth. If you are ready to love your smile again, call Southern York Smile Care at (717) 235-3871 or request an appointment at 4 S. Main St in Shrewsbury. We welcome patients from York, southern York County and northern Baltimore County, MD.
DDS cum laude 1987, US Air Force residency, NYU cosmetic training and Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, with 35+ years in practice.
Meet Dr. Haywood →
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