Teeth Whitening in Gretna, LA
Many people want whiter teeth. White teeth look healthy and look great. What many people don't realize though is that getting your pearly whites white doesn't require expensive and invasive dental treatment like crowns or veneers which shave down the teeth. Teeth can be whitened with bleaching trays and gels. Dr. Schafer is a believer in whitening, as it's a safe procedure that is much gentler on your teeth as well as your wallet than other cosmetic treatments.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Whitening or bleaching is a process of lightening the color of your teeth by using gels that are applied directly to the teeth for anywhere between 30 minutes to 8 hours depending on the concentration of the gel.
At NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry, all of our patients who want whitening get trays that are custom molded to your mouth. Dr. Schafer usually recommends the gels that are worn for eight hours or during sleep as they are gentler on the teeth and get a better long-term result.
Two types of stains darken teeth. Eating, drinking, and smoking cause external stains and can be removed by whitening but also by professional dental cleanings. These are also the easier of the two types of stains to prevent and change.
The natural colors inside the tooth cause internal staining which is much more difficult to change. Internal staining can be caused by certain antibiotics or minerals like fluoride consumed during childhood. Thankfully, with modern whitening gels, these stains can be almost eliminated to give you a white, bright smile.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Fillings?
Unfortunately, whitening does not work on dental fillings and crowns. When patients have dental restorations that are on teeth that will be bleached, Dr. Schafer recommends replacement of these fillings 3 or 4 weeks after completion of bleaching so that the new filling can be appropriately matched to the new color of the teeth.
General Teeth Whitening
NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry uses two types of dental whitening gels which depend on the level of staining. The first is a 10 percent carbamide peroxide gel, which works well for most patients. Dr. Schafer likes this gel because it is gentle enough to wear for eight hours during sleep but strong enough to get the job done in a few weeks or a month. It is also economical which makes teeth whitening a very affordable option.
Deep Teeth Bleaching
For people with very dark teeth with a lot of internal staining, Dr. Schafer uses the KöR whitening gel. KöR whitening gel is a much more powerful whitening gel that has the added benefit of less sensitivity than other powerful whitening gels. For pictures of common KöR cases, please visit KöR 's Gallery. While anyone can use KöR, Dr. Schafer especially recommends it for patients who have tried whitening in the past and have not liked their results or who have signs of fluoride or antibiotic staining.
Are You Ready to Get Started?
If you are interested in whitening your teeth or need to whiten your teeth more, call us today at NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry.
Frequently Asked Questions
After whitening your teeth, your enamel becomes more porous for the first 24 to 48 hours, making it easier for stains to sneak in. That’s why sticking to a “white diet” after teeth whitening (during this time) is key.
Foods to Avoid After Teeth Whitening
Foods and drinks that can stain or damage newly whitened teeth should be avoided to keep your results looking fresh and bright. Examples of specific foods include:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Red wine
- Soda
- Soy sauce
- Tomato-based sauces
- Berries
- Curry
- Anything with artificial coloring (e.g. colorful candies or sports drinks)
These items are top on the list of foods to avoid after teeth whitening because they can dull your smile in no time.
You’ll also want to steer clear of acidic foods like:
- Citrus fruits
- Vinegar
- Pickles
Acidic foods and drinks can weaken the enamel further during this sensitive period.
What's Safe to Eat After Teeth Whitening
So, what should you eat? A white diet after teeth whitening includes foods that are light in color and low in acid. Safe choices include:
- Plain chicken or turkey
- White rice or pasta
- Cauliflower or mashed potatoes
- Milk, plain yogurt, and bananas
Avoiding dark or acidic foods temporarily gives your smile the best chance to stay sparkling. For long-lasting results, good oral hygiene and smart food choices go a long way!
Call Us for Teeth Whitening in Gretna, LA
Contact us today to schedule your teeth whitening consultation. A brighter smile is one phone call away!
Yes, a dental cleaning can whiten your teeth. In the same way that washing and waxing your car that is covered in dust makes your car shine, removing plaque and tartar can show off the natural beauty in your teeth.
Tartar is a soft deposit on your teeth from food debris, and plaque is a mineralized deposit left on teeth from a combination of tartar, saliva, and bacteria in the mouth.
How Does a Dental Cleaning Whiten Teeth?
Unfortunately, this plaque and tartar can easily stain depending on what you put in your mouth which is why drinks such as coffee and wine, foods such as berries, and tobaccos use via cigarettes and dip easily stain teeth. Plaque can be removed by a toothbrush, but as soon as it hardens and becomes tartar, only professional dental instruments can remove it.
Generally, the dentist or the hygienist will remove the larger pieces of plaque with instruments that are sharp enough to break through the plaque but not damage the teeth. Also, a water spray may be used which uses high-frequency sound waves to vibrate off plaque without hurting the teeth.
After the majority of plaque has been removed, then the dentist or hygienist will come back with a polish to remove the remaining plaque. This final step gives you that new teeth look.
For more information on dental cleanings or teeth whitening in Gretna, LA, please give us a call at NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry today at (504) 392-5104.
Many kids and parents today want white teeth, and there is nothing wrong with that. Kids deserve to have a great, beautiful, and healthy smile as well. Generally, Dr. Schafer hears this request from parents either when their first adult teeth come in or in high school-aged kids.
When adult teeth come in on a 5, 6, or 7 years old, they will look more yellow than baby teeth. Healthy baby teeth are typically bright white whereas healthy adult teeth are ever so slightly yellow. When you compare baby teeth to adult teeth, the adult teeth will always look yellow, and that is normal. Not much can be done about it at this age, so Dr. Schafer rarely recommends whitening except in very badly stained teeth.
Teeth Whitening for Teenagers
Dr. Schafer usually has no problems with offering whitening to teenage patients, on the other hand. Often teens want whitening for the same reason that adults do: to have prettier looking teeth. Whether they are getting ready for prom or school pictures, Dr. Schafer will gladly examine your teen and see which treatment makes the most sense for them. Please keep in mind that whitening takes a few weeks at least to have noticeable results and to schedule your initial appointment about one month before the teeth should be fully or mostly whitened.
For more information on teeth whitening or kids dentistry in Gretna, LA, please give us a call at NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry at (504) 392-5104 today!
Whitening strips are strips of plastic that adhere to the front of teeth and apply a whitening gel to the teeth. They are sold at most pharmacies and range in price between 15-50 dollars. The whitening gel on the strips is similar to the type that is sold in most dental offices.
The Problems with Teeth Whitening Strips
Dr. Schafer doesn't recommend whitening strips because the strips do not mesh well with the teeth which causes two problems: because the whitening gels do not fit as well as a customized whitening tray, saliva touches the whitening gel causing it to break down quickly. The whitening gel is similar to hydrogen peroxide and if you place hydrogen peroxide in your mouth, you'll notice that it starts fizzing and bubbling. This fizzing and bubbling is the peroxide breaking down. In a similar way, when saliva is in contact with the whitening gel, it starts to lose it's potency and can quickly become useless. What generally happens is that the tips of the teeth whiten and the base of the teeth do not.
The second problem is that the gels can be very concentrated and can easily burn the gums if the strips are misplaced. Peroxide burns do not show up immediately and between two or three minutes to show up, and by this time, the damage has already been done. While these burns will heal in a few days, they sting in the meantime. If you burn your gums, Dr. Schafer recommends warm salt water rinses as well as whatever over the counter pain medication works best for you.
For more information on teeth whitening in Gretna, LA, call us at NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry today at (504) 392-5104!
After whitening is done, it is normal for the teeth to become slightly darker and reach a stable color about one week after. While many dentists prefer to do "touch-ups" or whitening when needed, Dr. Schafer prefers to do regular maintenance. Much like you need to wash your car on a regular basis if you want it to always be clean and shiny, you need to do regular whitening if you want your teeth to always be at their brightest. As long as your whitening trays still fit, you can continue to wear them and put whitening gel in them. You may need to whiten between once per week to once per month to keep your pearly whites white. Dr. Schafer will tailor a specific regime to your individual needs.
Take-Home Whitening Gel
We offer whitening gel for purchase in our office. Your trays can be retained and reused indefinitely, as long as they fit and are in good shape. Certain lifestyle choices such as coffee consumption, red wine, tobacco use, and even colorful fruits and vegetables can quickly stain your teeth. Certain medications, even mouth rinses, can also stain your teeth. Brushing your teeth and maintaining regular professional dental cleaning appointments will help protect your smile.
For more information on teeth whitening in Gretna, LA call us at NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry today at (504) 392-5104.
Meet Our Doctor:
Russell Schafer DDS
Dr. Russell Schafer is happy and proud to call New Orleans his home. He was born in New Orleans, raised in Pearl River, and attended Jesuit High School and graduated in 2003. He went to Rice University in Houston where he graduated with a bachelors and masters in mechanical engineering degree. While at Rice, Dr. Schafer was a a cheerleader for all four years, active in Rice Catholic Student Association as well as student government, and tutored fellow students as well. Before attending dental school, Dr. Schafer spent ...
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