Teeth Whitening – Lincoln, NE

Why Choose South Ridge Dental for Teeth Whitening?

• Customized Whitening Trays for Safety and Comfort
• Professional-Grade Bleaching Gel
• Results in Just Two Weeks

How At-Home Teeth Whitening Works

The first step to receive your at-home teeth whitening kit is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ryan or Dr. Steven. They will sit down with you to discuss what you hope to achieve by having your teeth whitened. After examining your teeth to determine if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening, we will take impressions of your teeth. This will allow lab technicians to customize your whitening trays so that they fit securely and comfortably.

Once they are ready, we will provide you with your custom trays as well as the Opalescence professional-grade bleaching gel that is much stronger than what you will find in products at your local drug store. Following the instructions provided by your cosmetic dentist in Lincoln, you will take your kit home and use it daily. In two weeks, you’ll not only notice that stains are disappearing, but your smile is 6-8 shades brighter!

Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is a great cosmetic solution for most people. The best candidates are those who have good gum health and do not have any restorations already existing in their mouth. The reason is that artificial teeth are undeterred by teeth whitening, so it’s highly possible that after having your teeth whitened, they may not match in color, making your restoration stand out more clearly.

If you can say “yes” to the following, you may be considered a viable candidate for teeth whitening:

• You are not pregnant
• You have no restorations (i.e. fillings, crowns, implants)
• You’re free of gum disease, tooth decay, or cavities
• You do not have sensitive teeth
• You expect realistic results

How to Maintain Results

Maintaining your results is key when choosing to whiten your teeth. It’s often far too easy to fall back into old habits and let those stains begin to creep back in. To prevent this, here are a few ways to keep your teeth looking whiter and brighter for longer:

• Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes
• Make sure to use a soft-bristled brush
• Floss at least once a day to remove bacteria from in-between your teeth
• Rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash
• Avoid dark-colored, stain-causing foods and beverages (i.e. coffee, tea, soda)
• Wear a mouthguard if you are prone to grinding your teeth
• Keep your regular dental appointments every six months

Teeth Whitening Frequently Asked Questions

Are you curious to learn more about the teeth whitening process here at South Ridge Dental? To help you make a more well-informed decision about how to beautify your smile, we’ve included this section on many of the most popular teeth whitening FAQs in Lincoln. If you still have questions even after reading through this section, or if you feel ready to schedule your consultation, feel free to give us a call. Our team would be more than happy to discuss your smile goals and determine whether teeth whitening is the best way to achieve them.

Why Do Teeth Become Stained in the First Place?

As part of your teeth whitening treatment plan, we’ll examine your mouth as well as your medical history to determine the underlying causes of your tooth stains during your consultation. Some of the most common reasons behind the development of dental stains are:

• Frequently consuming richly pigmented foods and drinks like coffee, wine, or tea
• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Thinning tooth enamel that reveals more of the yellowish dentin layer underneath it
• Genetic predisposition for darker enamel
• Using certain medications, such as the antibiotic tetracycline, during dental development
• Overconsumption of fluoride during childhood

In most cases, our teeth whitening treatment is able to blast away the most stubborn stains, no matter how they were caused.

Is Teeth Whitening Safe?

Many over-the-counter teeth whitening products notoriously irritate your gums and other soft tissues in your mouth. This is often because the strips and trays are not designed to fit your unique mouth.

Our treatment, however, is custom-made to perfectly fit over your pearly whites, ensuring the bleaching gel only touches them and not any other areas of your mouth. Rest assured our whitening treatment is not only incredibly effective, but safe as well.  

Why Is Professional Teeth Whitening Better Than Over-the-Counter Products?

Professional teeth whitening has many advantages over store-bought gels, strips, toothpastes, and mouthwashes. Here are just a few of these benefits:

• To make sure you’re comfortable and your smile is protected from potential damage, our dentists will guide you through every step of the process.
• We personalize each whitening plan to meet all of your unique needs, so you can trust that you’ll see the dramatic and beautiful smile transformation that you deserve.
• People with brighter smiles tend to want them to stay that way. As a result, you may be more likely to brush, floss, and visit us for checkups more often, improving your oral health.

Are There Any Side Effects of Teeth Whitening?

The most common side effect of any teeth whitening treatment is sensitivity to hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods and drinks. However, our treatment is specifically designed to minimize this discomfort. If you happen to experience any sensitivity, it should be mild and should subside within a couple of days.