Teeth Whitening 101: 5 Things to Know About Getting a Brighter Smile

Yellowing teeth are more common than you might think.  Everyday habits like drinking coffee, wine, or soda, and even eating certain berries, can leave your smile looking dull and discolored over time. The good news? It's totally reversible. South Jersey Smiles offers comprehensive teeth whitening services in Moorestown, NJ to enhance your smile. Call us to book a teeth whitening appointment with our caring team! Now, read on to learn everything you need to know about teeth whitening.

What exactly does whitening your teeth mean?

Whitening is a process very similar to the skin pore commercials we see on TV. Our enamel has small pores present in it, these pores are designed to be filled with healthy mineral deposits from our saliva. Unfortunately, over time, due to diets/vices we develop stain particles along these pores as well. 

Any peroxide based whitening product uses effervescence (bubbling) to lift the stain and from the pores of the tooth. Unfortunately this also lifts the healthy mineral deposits in the process.  Without the minerals in place, we have wide open pores and develop tooth sensitivity. Thankfully this is just a temporary reaction as the saliva will deliver more minerals back onto the tooth surfaces over the course of the next 24-48hrs.

How Effective is Teeth Whitening?

The Effectiveness of whitening typically corresponds to the concentration of the peroxide or peroxide derivatives. Unfortunately, these are extremely light sensitive chemicals (dispensed in brown bottles at the drugstore). Therefore, it is critical to follow the directions on the whitening products with respect to storage and exposure time, it becomes neutralized after a certain time limit. Keeping it in past that time and creating more gingival irritation. 

‍How can you get the best results for a brighter smile?

Every tooth is different, younger patients get results faster due to larger enamel channels (pores). Always look for white “chalky” spots (hypocalcification), recession (root exposure), and gray hues. These regions will not respond predictably to whitening. White spots get whiter, recession will give sensitivity and gray hues will not change. 

‍How do I manage my habits?

At South Jersey Smiles, our team of professionals will take the time to review your habits, diet and give pointers on how to adjust/modify or work through anything that stains and works against whitening. 

There are so many teeth whitening products- how do I know which will work best for me?

We are proponents of using most peroxide derived agents as they have been tried and tested over the years with minimal reactions. Most natural products have more of an abrasive effect which can permanently alter enamel surfaces over time. 

Now as far as peroxide products, we are fans of trays as they can allow the tooth to be coated in the spaces and grooves that most strips, paints etc. cannot reach. 

At our office we create custom trays for out patients since everyone has different sizing and shaping to their teeth. This allows the most efficient spread of product through the teeth without having excess get into areas like the gums and cause blistering. 

Another factor to consider is concentration: 

Most over the counter versions of these whitening trays have 1-4%. 

At South Jersey Smiles, we are able to go from 9-32% in our whitening concentrations. 

The key element to enhanced whitening results is Frequency over Duration. Whitening is most effective after repeated attempts. 

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South Jersey Smiles offers 2 levels of whitening depending on the results you are looking for (how many levels of white you would like to attain)

1. Custom trays with add in gel (concentrations from 9.5-32%)

2. In office whitening (3 rounds of 30%) prefer to use this in conjunction with the custom tray whitening for the best longest lasting effects

FYI:

Whitening will always require repeated use and upkeep. 

A brighter smile is more than just a confidence boost — it's an investment in how you feel every day. Whether you're weighing your at-home options or ready to see real results with a professional treatment, knowing what to expect makes all the difference. And if you're looking for something more permanent, Dr. Patel is here to help. With decades of experience in cosmetic porcelain work, he specializes in giving Moorestown, NJ patients the smile they've always dreamed of. No matter where you are in your smile journey, South Jersey Smiles has a solution for you. Schedule your consultation today!

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Written by: Amar B Patel, DDS 

Dr Patel has worked in dental offices for over 21 years. He is still passionate about all the advances in the field, and loves utilizing technology to better serve his patients with more predictable results. Contact us at South Jersey Smiles to see our facilities and meet our wonderful team of dedicated professionals. 

www.SJerseySmiles.com                

856-235-0905

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