Professional Teeth Whitening in Long Beach, CA for a Brighter Smile

Achieving a Brighter Smile Through Teeth Whitening in Long Beach

Having white, bright teeth can make a world of difference for your appearance and confidence. If you live in the Long Beach area and want to enhance your smile, professional teeth whitening may be a great option to consider. Teeth whitening is a fast, non-invasive cosmetic treatment that can safely and effectively whiten the color of your teeth.

What Makes Teeth Become Stained and Discolored?

Over time, your teeth can become stained or yellowed from a variety of causes, including:

• Foods and drinks like coffee, tea, soda, red wine, curry spices, berries
• Tobacco use from cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco
• Certain medications, especially tetracycline antibiotics
• Trauma or injury that damages tooth enamel
• Genetics can naturally cause yellowish teeth
• Fluorosis or excess fluoride exposure while teeth developing
• Aging as enamel wears thin and yellowish dentin shows through

While diligent brushing and professional cleanings can help reduce surface stains, deeper set discoloration requires a more potent whitening treatment.

Benefits of Whitening Your Teeth

Some great reasons to get your teeth professionally whitened include:

• Brighter, whiter color
• Younger-looking appearance
• Improved self-confidence in your smile
• Removal of stains from food, drinks, smoking, medications
• Enhanced aesthetics of dental work like fillings or crowns
• No dental anesthesia required
• Quick procedure time
• Long-lasting results

Even a few shades of lightening can make your teeth look naturally white and bright again. Whitening is one of the most popular dental cosmetic treatments because of its fast effects and easy maintenance.

Professional Teeth Whitening Options in Long Beach, CA

Long Beach dentists offer several methods to safely and effectively whiten your teeth professionally. These include:

In-Office Whitening

In-office whitening, also called chairside whitening or power bleaching, is performed at your dentists office in about one hour. They will first protect your gums from irritation using a barrier gel or rubber dam.

Next, a high-concentration hydrogen or carbamide peroxide whitening gel is applied directly to your teeth. As this bleaching agent sits on your teeth, your dentist shine a special curing light to activate and accelerate the whitening process. Results are seen after just one 30-60 minute treatment.

In-office power whitening can lighten your teeth dramatically by up to 10 shades in a single visit. For even greater brightening, multiple sessions may be recommended.

Custom Take-Home Whitening Trays

Your Long Beach dentist can provide you with customized whitening trays made from impressions of your teeth. These allow you to administer lower concentration whitening gel directly onto your teeth for 1-2 hours daily or overnight at home.

It takes about 1-2 weeks of consistent use to see results. While not as fast as in-office whitening, custom trays provide a more gradual lightening of teeth up to 8 shades with less sensitivity.

Your dentist will have you come in periodically to monitor your progress and response. Touch-up whitening treatments may be needed every 6-12 months.

Over-the-Counter Whitening Products

Drugstores sell various OTC whitening kits, including whitening strips, brush-on gels, whitening toothpastes/rinses, charcoal powders, and LED light devices. However, these utilize weaker concentrations of peroxide or abrasive chemicals.

While OTC methods may remove some surface stains, they are not as effective for deeper discoloration. Get dentist supervision to whitening safely and effectively without damaging enamel or gums.

How To Choose the Best Whitening Method in Long Beach

Consider the following factors when deciding which professional teeth whitening option is optimal for you:

• Budget - In-office power whitening is the most expensive option, while take-home trays and OTC products are cheaper.
• Timeframe - In-office whitening provides instant results in about an hour. Trays take 1-2 weeks of daily use.
• Convenience - In-office whitening is performed at the dental office. Trays allow you to whiten at home.
• Sensitivity - In-office whitening causes more sensitivity temporarily. Custom trays gradually whiten with less discomfort.
• Results - In-office achieves the maximum whitening of up to 10 shades lighter.

Have a teeth whitening consultation with your Long Beach dentist to determine the best method for you.

Top Rated Dentists for Teeth Whitening in Long Beach

Long Beach has many highly skilled dentists that offer professional teeth whitening. Here are some top choices to consider:

Bright Now! Dental

Bright Now! Dental provides both power in-office Zoom! whitening and custom take-home trays. Their dentists tailor the whitening treatment plan to your specific needs and preferences.

Thomas Dental Care

Dr. Charles Thomas offers fast Philips Zoom! in-office whitening and individually molded take-home whitening trays at his dental office. Botox is also available for TMJ and teeth grinding.

Long Beach Smiles Dentistry

The dentists at Long Beach Smiles Dentistry perform Zoom! whitening treatments in-office for immediate results. They also provide custom whitening trays made onsite for gradual brightening at home.

Lighthouse Dental Long Beach

Lighthouse Dental Long Beach allows you to choose between power in-office chairside whitening or convenient whitening trays based on your needs. Flexible payment plans are available.

Harbor Light Smile Studio

Harbor Light Smile Studio offers Philips Zoom! whitening supervised by Dr. Lisa Kederian for dramatic whitening results in just over an hour. Custom take-home trays are also available.

Check online reviews and tour dental offices to find the best Long Beach dentist for teeth whitening.

Pre-Whitening Prep for Optimal Results

Before undergoing professional teeth whitening, your Long Beach dentist may recommend:

• A dental cleaning to remove plaque buildup and surface stains
• Treating any cavities or defective restorations
• Extracting non-restorable teeth if needed
• Discussing medical conditions, allergies, and medications that may affect treatment

To maximize whitening, avoid highly pigmented foods and drinks like berries, tomato sauce, red wine, coffee, curry for a couple days pre-treatment. Tobacco use should be discontinued.

Is Teeth Whitening Painful?

You should not feel significant pain or discomfort during professional teeth whitening. Some people experience temporary increased tooth sensitivity or irritated gums from the bleaching gel.

Applying prescription fluoride before and after whitening can help strengthen enamel and reduce sensitivity. Over-the-counter pain medication may also minimize discomfort.

Caring for Your Whitened Teeth in Long Beach

Once you complete teeth whitening in Long Beach, be sure to follow your dentists aftercare instructions to keep your smile bright, such as:

• Avoiding staining foods and drinks like coffee, wine, tobacco, etc. for at least 1-2 weeks
• Using sensitivity-reducing toothpaste for a few weeks if needed
• Brushing gently with soft bristles and not abrasive toothpastes
• Using whitening rinses or brushing with whitening toothpaste
• Seeing your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups
• Having touch-up whitening treatments annually or as needed

With proper oral hygiene and routine whitening touch-ups, you can maintain a noticeably whiter smile for years.

Is Professional Teeth Whitening Safe?

Yes, when properly administered by licensed dentists using reputable products, teeth whitening is very safe for your oral health. The small amounts of hydrogen peroxide in whitening gels will not harm your teeth or gums.

However, improper use of over-the-counter whitening products with harsh chemicals can burn gums and damage enamel. Always consult your dentist first before attempting DIY whitening.

Common side effects like temporary sensitivity are generally mild and resolve quickly after treatment ends. Maintain regular dental checkups for continued monitoring of any issues.

Cost of Professional Teeth Whitening in Long Beach

The cost of professional teeth whitening in Long Beach varies depending on the specific method and dentist, but often ranges between:

• In-office power whitening: $500-$1,000 per treatment
• Custom take-home trays: $300-$800
• Whitening toothpastes or rinses: $10-$30

In-office whitening produces the most dramatic results in the shortest time, but is the priciest option. Take-home trays provide gradual whitening over weeks for less cost. Insurance typically does not cover cosmetic teeth whitening.

Many dentists offer payment plans to make professional whitening affordable. The results are worth the investment into your smile.

Get a Brighter, More Confident Smile

Teeth whitening is one of the fastest and easiest ways to improve the look of your smile and boost self-esteem. Professional whitening treatments performed by skilled Long Beach dentists can help you achieve a naturally whiter shade.

From in-office power whitening to custom take-home trays, discuss options with your dentist to choose the method that fits your dental needs and budget. With periodic touch-up treatments, you can enjoy long-lasting whitening results.

Contact the top rated teeth whitening dentists in Long Beach today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards a brighter, more beautiful smile!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.