Teeth Whitening in Red Deer County AB

Here at Gasoline Alley Dental we offer in office Zoom Whitening, and take home whitening kits.

A beautiful smile is an asset, and some would say it is even a must in today's world of constant pictures and posts on social media. Teeth that are yellow, discoloured, or stained can diminish your otherwise perfect smile, but the good news is that there are steps you can take to achieve and maintain a whiter, brighter smile.

Even if you diligently follow a consistent home care routine, it is quite common for your teeth to lose a bit of their sparkle over time. This change occurs for many reasons, like the foods and beverages we consume, medications we might take, and lifestyle choices.

Whitening your teeth is an effective way to enhance your smile, and here at Gasoline Alley Dental in Red Deer, AB, we can help! We offer a customized, take-home teeth whitening kit so you can whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home whenever you have available time. We also offer immediate in chair Zoom Whitening. Both are great options and you can ask our staff about what is best for you.

• Why Have My Teeth Lost Their Luster?
• The Teeth Whitening Process
• Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
• Professional Teeth Whitening vs. Over-the-Counter Products
• How to Maintain Your Bright New Smile
• Take the Next Step Toward a Brighter Smile

Why Have My Teeth Lost Their Luster?

You may have noticed that the brightness of your smile has diminished over the years. Teeth have a natural whitish-yellow colour because the tooth's middle layer, called dentin, has a yellowish hue. As you age, enamel naturally erodes with the normal wear and tear of eating and chewing. This means that healthy teeth will typically be a whitish-yellow colour, appearing more yellowed as we get older as more of your dentin shows through.

Certain foods like dark berries and tomato sauce and certain beverages like coffee, tea, and red wine can also cause your teeth to stain or appear more dull-looking.

Lifestyle choices, such as smoking or tobacco use, can also affect the appearance of your teeth. Tobacco leaves brown and yellow staining on teeth that are hard to remove with brushing and flossing alone.

While you may not be able to stop the ageing process of your teeth, you can take steps to eliminate a stained and yellowed smile with teeth whitening in Red Deer County, AB.

The Teeth Whitening Process

If you choose take home whitening;

The first step in the whitening process is to come into Gasoline Alley Dental for an impression to make custom-fit bleaching (whitening) trays for your teeth. We take impressions of both the upper and lower teeth at the same appointment. That way you can whiten you top and bottom teeth.

Once we successfully have your impression, our staff member will make a model of your teeth. From the model of your upper and lower teeth, we will make customized bleaching trays that fit like athletic mouthguards and can only be used by you since they are designed specifically to fit your teeth.

When your custom bleaching trays are ready, one of our friendly staff members will give you a call to have you come in to assess the fit of the trays on your upper and lower teeth.  We will make sure you can put them in and take them out easily and that their snug fit will protect your gums and soft tissue from any excess whitening gel escaping. Then we will go over the instructions for whitening your teeth safely at home with you. When you need more whitening solution to brighten your smile in the future, you just give us a call to order more. We sell teeth whitening gel right here at Gasoline Alley Dental for your convenience.

If you choose in chair Zoom Whitening;

You will come to Gasoline Alley Dental for an appointment that will last about 1 hour. Most whitening will happen the the chair, but you will also take home come take home whitening. Our staff will take impressions of your top and bottom teeth in order to make your custom take home bleach trays. And then we will set your up for the Zoom whitening where we isolate your teeth and apply a whitening gel. Then with 15 minute increment light exposure your teeth will be whitened. 

Hopefully by the end of your whitening visit we have finished your custom take home whitening tray, but if not you can pick up your take home trays another day. The at home whitening helps preserve the whitening you achieved from the in chair Zoom whitening.

Is Teeth Whitening Safe?

Patients often ask Dr. Ian Wilson and our staff when they want to know more about whitening their teeth is if the process is safe for their teeth. Whitening is a safe procedure as long as you follow the instructions.

Some patients develop sensitivity after they use any whitening product on their teeth. Dr. Wilson can help you manage tooth sensitivity during teeth whitening by recommending fluoride rinse, toothpaste, or other products you can use after your treatment to reduce and minimize discomfort. We can also adjust the strength of your whitening gel if you are experiencing sensitivity for a truly customized experience. Ideally you can begin using Sensodyne toothpaste or Colgate Prevident Sensitive toothpaste for at least one week prior to whitening your teeth. And after the whitening you will just want to avoid ice cold beverages or food in direct contact with the whitened teeth the same day. Rest assured all tooth sensitivity will subside over time. But each persons experience varies.

If you have concerns about the colour of your teeth, before using any whitening product, we recommend that you have a full dental checkup and cleaning to assess the health of your teeth and to decide if whitening would be a good option for you. 

Ideally every patient wanting tooth whitening has a full exam and clean to make sure they are a good candidate for whitening and understand their individual variables.

Can you make fillings whiter?

We know we can make your teeth whiter, but each filling needs to be considered individually. We know that some fillings will get whiter as you whiten your teeth. But sometimes the teeth get whiter than the fillings do. Then some fillings will look like dark spots in your teeth. Dr. Wilson always recommends whitening your teeth as much as you want, and then once you are done, you an replace any fillings that you think are too dark with whiter filling material. Do not replace the fillings before you start whitening.

Professional Teeth Whitening vs. Over-the-Counter Products

With so many teeth whitening products on the market and at your local grocery store, you might wonder why it's a benefit to choose professional teeth whitening with Dr. Wilson. The main advantage that professional teeth whitening offers is a customized and safe experience with your dentist that achieves proven results.

Whether you choose in chair Zoom Whitening, or take home whitening trays, you will have Dr. Wilson's supervision and guidance available to you with just a phone call if you should encounter any issues. 

Dr. Wilson also utilizes professional strength whitening gel that can be adjusted according to your needs if you experience any sensitivity. This type of whitening solution is only available through dentists. 

When you choose over-the-counter (OTC) whitening products, they are not customized to fit your teeth. You may be stuck with strips or trays that may not properly or achieve the results you want. Your Red Deer dentist makes custom trays designed just to ensure that you achieve the best outcome for your smile.

How to Maintain Your Bright New Smile

Once you invest in whitening your teeth, you'll want to do everything you can to maintain their brightness. Besides making specific lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and limiting your intake of food and beverages that stain your teeth, here are a few other tips for maintaining your bright, white smile:

• Maintain your excellent home care routine. Diligent and consistent daily brushing and flossing will help you keep your smile bright.
• Try to avoid staining food or drinks right after whitening like red wine or cherries.
• Visit your dentist every six months for professional cleanings and checkups.
• Update your smile whenever you like at home with your custom whitening trays.

Custom take-home whitening trays provide you with the freedom to brighten your smile whenever the next wedding, reunion, or vacation takes place. You'll never have to be without your best accessory again - your bright, beautiful smile!

Take the Next Step Toward a Brighter Smile

Are you thinking you need a "dentist near me" to help you brighten your smile and improve your appearance? If you'd like to know more about the customized take-home whitening service, or the Zoom whitening, we provide at Gasoline Alley Dental in Red Deer County, AB, don't hesitate to ask at your next appointment, stop in for a visit, or give us a call at (403) 343-8622.