St. Clair Shores
Teeth Whitening

Get a Brighter Smile

Teeth Whitening

If you’re uncomfortable with your smile due to tooth stains and yellowing, you’re not alone. Tooth stains are a common sign of aging that can be made worse by the consumption of coffee, red wine, and dark berries. With teeth whitening in St. Clair Shores, you can get a brighter smile in just a single appointment! Call us today to schedule your appointment and get your bright, white smile back. 

How Does It Work?

Teeth Whitening Basics

The key to professional teeth whitening is a group of special, volatile compounds called “peroxides.” Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are the most commonly-used whitening agents. These compounds contain volatile oxygen molecules, which react violently when they contact surface stains on your teeth. Essentially, these whitening agents “bleach” tooth stain away to restore the natural white color of your enamel. 

Get Fast Results

In-Office Whitening

If you need rapid whitening results for an upcoming special occasion like a wedding or reunion, in-office whitening from Dr. Cassleman is most likely the best whitening option for you. Dr. Cassleman will use a powerful whitening compound to enhance the appearance of your teeth. A special UV light will be used to speed up the process and provide stellar results in just an hour or two. You’ll leave our St. Clair Shores office with a smile that’s up to 5 shades whiter!

Treatment On Your Schedule

Take-Home Whitening

If you would prefer to treat yourself at home, our take-home whitening kits offer comfort and convenience. You’ll come into our office to have dental impressions taken and we’ll work with a dental lab to create a set of custom whitening trays. You’ll use these trays along with a supply of professional-grade whiteners to brighten your smile in the comfort of your own home. Usually, you’ll wear your trays for about an hour a day for a period of 2-3 weeks. Compared to in-office whitening, your results will be more subtle and gradual.

Why Choose Whitening?

The Benefits

The biggest benefit of teeth whitening is that it will restore your confidence. Your teeth will be bright, white and beautiful once again, and you won’t have to feel self-conscious about stains or yellowing. Teeth whitening also helps rejuvenate your appearance and makes you look younger. Typically, whitening is one of the most affordable cosmetic treatments available at the dentist. It’s totally non-invasive and has no serious side effects. Some patients may experience teeth sensitivity after whitening.

How Long Will It Take To See Results? 

This depends on the specific treatment you are receiving. In-office teeth whitening will produce immediate results but can take multiple sessions to achieve your desired shade depending on the severity of your discoloration. In a single in-office whitening session, you can lighten your teeth by 5 or more shades. 
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If your teeth are significantly discolored and one session isn’t enough to help you reach your goal, another appointment can be scheduled for a second whitening session. Each appointment takes about an hour, though it can take up to 24 hours to see the full effects of the whitening. 
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At-home whitening trays are a different story. Instead of one hour-long session of UV-activated peroxide, you will wear whitening trays that contain peroxide over your teeth for the specified amount of time each day for about 2 weeks. This will produce a gradually whiter appearance of your teeth over a few weeks instead of an instant, dramatic change.

Does Teeth Whitening Hurt? 

Teeth whitening is a painless, minimally invasive treatment. We take precautions to ensure that the bleaching agent does not come into contact with your gums or any soft tissue in the mouth. However, it can cause temporary tooth sensitivity due to demineralization of the enamel.
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Peroxide removes minerals from the teeth during the whitening process, which makes the teeth more porous and exposes the dentinal tubules that are connected to the tooth’s nerves. The nerves are responsible for sensation and are hypersensitive. 
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However, these minerals will naturally replenish themselves within 48 hours and sensitivity will dissipate. Certain activities can trigger sensitivity, such as consuming hot or cold foods and drinks. If you have sensitive teeth, we offer sedation options that can put you more at ease during the treatment.
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To further reduce the risk of sensitivity, you can use a desensitizing gel before whitening your teeth. You can also use toothpaste for sensitive teeth. We recommend brushing your teeth before the whitening treatment instead of afterward because peroxide is acidic and can worsen sensitivity.

How Long Do Teeth Whitening Results Last?

The results of whitening treatments can last between 6 months to 3 years. That’s a pretty big gap and you’re probably wondering why the lifespan of whitening treatments varies so much. It has to do with variance from person to person in oral hygiene, lifestyle habits, and incidence of staining.
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Practicing good oral hygiene is a no-brainer, but it’s really important if you want to keep your whitening treatment looking pearly white. By brushing your teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, you can reduce your risk of plaque buildup which can cause a yellow buildup on the teeth. 
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Regular cleanings also remove surface stains and plaque and tartar buildup. Certain lifestyle habits such as smoking, using tobacco products, drinking coffee and wine, or consuming other highly pigmented and staining foods will cause discoloration over time. 
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We recommend reducing your consumption of staining foods and drinks or getting in the habit of rinsing your mouth out afterward. Drinking through a straw can reduce contact between the staining drink and the teeth, which can help to preserve your whitening treatment.

Schedule Your Appointment

Contact St. Clair Tooth Co. Now

Ready to get started, and whiten your teeth? St. Clair Shores cosmetic dentist Dr. Carly Cassleman is here to help. At your cosmetic consultation, she will discuss all of your options for cosmetic dentistry, and help you decide whether in-office or take-home whitening is right for you. Contact us now at (586) 404-4911 to get started, or visit our office in person at 21321 Harper Ave, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080.