Professional Teeth Whitening Near Westerville, Ohio
Are you hiding your smile in photos? Yellowing teeth happen to almost everyone, but you don’t have to just keep them that way.
At Stephanie Briggs, DDS, we provide professional teeth whitening in Westerville, Ohio, that turns back the clock on staining and gives you a reason to beam with confidence.
We understand that a bright smile is about more than just vanity. It is about feeling comfortable in professional meetings and social gatherings. While daily brushing keeps your mouth healthy, it often fails to combat years of coffee, wine, and aging. Our professional treatments penetrate deep into the enamel to break up stubborn discoloration safely and effectively.
Why Store-Bought Strips Can't Beat Professional Results
Store-bought kits generally use a low concentration of hydrogen peroxide, often around 10% or less. This is barely enough to remove surface stains, let alone change the natural shade of your teeth.
Professional teeth whitening, on the other hand, uses prescription-strength gels with concentrations up to 35-40%. This potency allows us to remove deep discoloration that consumer products simply cannot touch.
Fit is another major issue with over-the-counter options. Generic strips slip, slide, and rarely cover the entire tooth surface. This leads to uneven “splotchy” results and irritates your gums when the gel leaks out.
Conversely, our method uses precise application techniques to keep the whitening agent exactly where it belongs: on your teeth.
Understanding the Two Types of Stains
Your teeth absorb stains in two ways: extrinsic and intrinsic.
- Extrinsic stains: These live on the surface and come from dark pigments in coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco.
- Intrinsic discoloration: This occurs deeper inside the tooth structure (dentin) due to aging, certain medications, or trauma.
Generic toothpaste only scratches the surface. To get true instant whitening results, we use a chemical process that releases oxygen molecules into the enamel. These molecules break the bonds holding the stain molecules together.
Custom Take-Home Trays for Maintenance
Prefer to whiten your teeth on your own schedule? Our custom tray whitening option lets you safely and effectively brighten your smile at home—without sacrificing professional-grade results. Here’s how the process works:
1. Impressions for Custom Trays
Our Westerville dentist, Dr. Briggs, will begin by taking detailed impressions of your teeth to create trays that fit snugly and comfortably over your unique bite. These customized trays are designed to hold the whitening gel securely in place, ensuring even coverage across every surface of your teeth—including hard-to-reach molars.
2. Whitening Gel Application
Once your trays are ready, you’ll receive a supply of powerful, professional-grade whitening gel. You’ll wear the trays at home for a few hours each day, depending on your desired shade and Dr. Briggs’ treatment recommendations. The gel works gradually, making it ideal for patients who prefer a more subtle transformation or want to maintain in-office results over time.
3. Gradual Whitening Results
With consistent use, you’ll begin to notice a visible lightening of your teeth. The gel breaks down stubborn stains safely while minimizing gum irritation and keeping sensitivity to a minimum. Some temporary sensitivity is normal but typically fades shortly after treatment is complete.
Custom trays not only fit better—they perform better. Wear them before special occasions, or use them as part of ongoing smile maintenance to keep your teeth radiant all year long.
Post-Whitening Diet Tips to Preserve Your Smile
The first 48 hours after your treatment are critical. Your tooth pores are slightly open, making them highly susceptible to absorbing new stains. We recommend a strict “White Diet” for two days to protect your results.
Foods and Drinks to Avoid:
- Red wine, coffee, and tea.
- Tomato-based sauces (marinara, salsa).
- Soy sauce and dark vinegars.
- Dark berries (blueberries, blackberries).
- Fruit juices.
Safe Foods to Eat:
- Chicken and turkey (unseasoned with dark spices).
- White rice and pasta with white sauce.
- Cauliflower and white cheese.
- Water and milk.
Sticking to these guidelines helps your results last significantly longer.
Managing Tooth Sensitivity and Safety
A common concern is teeth sensitivity. This happens when the microscopic channels in your teeth (dentin tubules) open up during the whitening process. However, this sensation is temporary.
We take specific steps to manage this. Our process is safe for enamel and includes pre-treatment desensitizing protocols. We also use gels containing potassium nitrate and fluoride, which help calm the nerves and strengthen the tooth surface.
If you do experience zings of sensitivity, we recommend using a toothpaste made for sensitive gums.
Who is a Good Candidate for Whitening?
Most adults in good dental health can safely whiten their teeth. However, we always conduct a quick exam first. You need healthy gums before we apply bleaching agents.
It is important to note that existing dental work does not whiten. Porcelain crowns, veneers, and composite fillings will retain their original color. If you are planning to replace old crowns or get veneers, we recommend whitening your natural teeth first so we can match the new restorations to your brighter shade.
We generally recommend whitening for adults. We exercise caution with younger patients whose teeth are still developing.
Schedule Your Whitening Consult in Westerville
Ready to erase years of stains and boost your confidence? Stop wasting money on strips that slide around. Visit our office near Uptown Westerville for a professional assessment.
Call us today to book your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the LED light really work?
Yes, the LED light activates the photo-initiators in the gel, speeding up the chemical breakdown of stains. This allows us to achieve lighter shades in less time compared to gel alone.
How many shades whiter will I get?
Every patient is different, but most see an improvement of 3 to 8 shades. Results depend on the starting color of your teeth and the type of staining you have.
Is it permanent?
No whitening solution is permanent because we continue to eat and drink staining foods. However, professional results can last from 6 months to 2 years with proper maintenance and good oral hygiene.