Teeth Whitening in San Francisco, CA

Are there stains on your teeth or do you simply wish for your entire smile to be whiter? At Symphony Dental Studio, we make it possible for you to achieve a beautifully bright smile with professional teeth whitening with convenient at-home kits. Contact our office in San Francisco, CA, today to start your at-home teeth whitening treatment to enhance the beauty of your smile. 

What Causes Yellow or Discolored Teeth? 

Our teeth are exposed to many different things every day. Dietary choices and other factors can wear down tooth enamel over time. As enamel wears down, the layer of dentin beneath it starts to show. Dentin has a naturally yellow or brown color and with less enamel covering it, this tooth layer gives teeth a yellowish appearance. 

Teeth may become yellow or discolored over time due to a variety of reasons, such as: 

• Genetics. Some people develop a thicker or thinner layer of enamel due to genetics. The hue of your teeth will be similar to the hue of your parents’ teeth. 
• Normal Wear. Enamel wears away from eating and drinking. If you have a habit of biting or chewing on pen caps, fingernails, or other hard materials, it could wear away enamel faster.
• Tobacco. Nicotine and tar in tobacco leaves yellow or brown surface stains on your teeth. Your teeth are more susceptible to staining if you use tobacco in any form. 
• Trauma. If your mouth experiences trauma, one or more teeth could change color due to lack of blood flow. Damaged teeth may eventually heal or require extraction.  
• Medications. Some medications or radiation treatments may darken teeth. Children who take antibiotics while the teeth are developing may develop yellowish teeth early. 

How to Prevent Tooth Discoloration

While you can’t control factors like genetics or the medications you need to take, you can take steps every day to preserve the whiteness of your teeth. The biggest way to prevent tooth discoloration is to make lifestyle changes that protect your enamel. Stop the use of tobacco products in any form and limit or avoid foods and drinks that stain teeth. 

A good rule of thumb is that if it can stain your clothes, it can stain your teeth. Avoid things like coffee, tea, red wine, colas, dark sauces, and candies high in sugar. Practice good oral hygiene to keep your teeth clean and prevent acidic substances from lingering on your enamel and to prevent cavities. Remember to wear a mouth guard any time there is a risk of dental trauma. Not only will mouth guards prevent your teeth from becoming discolored due to trauma, they prevent costly and extensive surgery or orthodontic treatment. 

At-Home Teeth Whitening Treatment

Before starting your at-home treatment, you will need to make two visits to our office. During the first visit, we will take impressions of your teeth to make custom-fitted clear trays. A dental lab will fabricate the trays and once they are ready, you will return for a second visit so we can make sure they fit properly and feel comfortable. 

Your dentist will provide you with a special teeth whitening solution and instruct you on how often to use it. Typically, you will need to fill the trays with the solution and wear them in your mouth twice a day for 30 minutes or sometimes overnight. The great part about at-home whitening is that you can wear your trays on your own schedule in the comfort of your home. 

Many patients notice results from at-home teeth whitening after just one or two weeks of use. After this time, we will see you in our office for a follow-up appointment to track your results. We can modify your whitening plan and perform touch-ups as needed to reach your desired shade. 

Why Choose Professional Teeth Whitening?

There are many over-the-counter teeth whitening products available from rinses to toothpastes and whitening strips. These products can treat some stains, but they will not provide the same results as professional teeth whitening from a dentist. 

Professional products contain a stronger formula with more peroxide than over-the-counter products, which will improve stains and discoloration more effectively. Undergoing treatment with the direction of your dentist will also ensure all tooth surfaces are treated evenly. Some products sold in stores can make stains worse, so always ask your dentist which products are right for your teeth. 

Teeth Whitening in San Francisco, CA

If you wish to improve your smile’s radiance, our team at Symphony Dental Studio proudly offers at-home professional teeth whitening to brighten your smile on your schedule. Contact our office in San Francisco, CA, today to begin your teeth whitening treatment.