Are you looking for a whiter smile for a special event or simply want to refresh your appearance? Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments available. While there are many over-the-counter options, professional treatment from a cosmetic dentist is significantly stronger and more effective.
At Derby Dental in Austin, TX, with Dr. Whitehouse and Dr. Kilkelly, we make teeth whitening quick, easy, and customized to your needs. We offer both advanced KöR in-office whitening and convenient at-home kits to ensure dazzling, lasting results.
KöR Teeth Whitening at Derby Dental
KöR is a powerful, professional system that uses custom-made trays and a stronger whitening gel than store-bought options. This customization and potency allow us to tackle even the toughest stains with better results and less sensitivity.
Here’s why KöR is the superior choice for your smile:
- Custom-Made Trays: Trays are designed to fit your teeth perfectly, ensuring even results and avoiding gum irritation.
- Powerful Gel: The high-potency whitening gel delivers deeper, more noticeable brightness compared to weak retail bleach.
- Combination Approach: Our process combines a quick in-office boost (30 minutes to an hour) with professional-grade at-home care for the best long-term outcome.
- Durable Results: With proper care, your brilliant results can last from several months up to two years.
Professional Vs. Store-Bought Teeth Whitening
Professional whitening is generally the better long-term investment for a brighter, more even smile. While store-bought kits appear cheaper initially, their low strength and lack of customization often lead to continuous repurchase and unsatisfactory results.
Product Strength and Customization
Professional treatments, like KöR, use higher-quality, stronger products specifically formulated for efficacy. Store-bought products, being one-size-fits-all, are significantly weaker and cannot provide customized, splotch-free results.
Sensitivity and Safety
Our professional systems are designed with your comfort in mind, meaning you are less likely to deal with sensitivity issues. Overusing highly acidic over-the-counter options, however, can potentially harm enamel over time.
If you’re ready for a brighter, whiter smile that lasts, professional whitening is the way to go. Schedule your KöR whitening appointment today!
Why Do Teeth Become Discolored?
Discolored teeth are a common problem that can result from everyday habits, aging, or genetics. Understanding the cause helps determine the best treatment.
Foods and Drinks That Stain
Drinks like coffee, tea, red wine, and dark sodas contain pigments that stick to enamel and cause stains over time. Foods such as berries, tomato sauces, and soy sauce can also contribute to dull or yellowish teeth.
Tobacco Use
Tar and nicotine found in cigarettes and chewing tobacco leave deep, often brown, stains on the enamel that are difficult to remove with regular brushing alone.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Skipping daily brushing and flossing leads to plaque buildup, which eventually hardens into tartar, making your teeth look stained and yellow.
Aging and Tooth Wear
As we age, the outer layer of enamel naturally wears down, revealing the yellowish dentin layer underneath. Poor diet and hygiene can accelerate this normal aging process.
Medications That Affect Tooth Color
Certain medications can cause discoloration as a side effect. Examples include antibiotics like tetracycline, as well as some antihistamines, blood pressure drugs, and chemotherapy treatments.
Tooth Injuries and Trauma
A hard hit to the mouth can cause a tooth to darken because the injury may trigger the production of naturally darker dentin or cut off blood flow, turning the tooth gray or black.
Too Much Fluoride (Fluorosis)
Excessive fluoride intake during early childhood development can lead to fluorosis, which appears as white or brown spots on the enamel.
Genetics and Natural Tooth Color
Sometimes, a naturally darker or more yellowish shade is simply due to genetics. Additionally, thin enamel makes the underlying yellow dentin more visible.
Maintaining Your Bright Smile After Whitening
You’ve invested in a bright, confident smile—now, here’s how to make those results last for months or years before needing a touch-up.
- Stick to a Good Oral Hygiene Routine: Brush at least twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily to remove plaque that can trap stains.
- Watch What You Eat and Drink: Limit contact with staining agents like coffee or red wine, or rinse your mouth with water immediately after consuming them.
- Quit Smoking and Tobacco Use: Tar and nicotine quickly reverse whitening results. Quitting offers both long-term aesthetic and general oral health benefits.
- Schedule Regular Dental Cleanings: Professional cleanings remove stubborn plaque and tartar that can make teeth look dull over time.
- Use Whitening Touch-Up Products: Your dentist may recommend custom trays or pens for maintenance between professional treatments.
- Be Careful with Acidic Foods: Acidic items like citrus or soda can weaken enamel, making teeth more vulnerable to new stains.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have answers to some of the most commonly asked questions patients have about teeth whitening treatments.
Does whitening treatment damage tooth enamel?
No, professional whitening does not damage healthy enamel when used as directed by your dentist. Temporary sensitivity occurs because peroxide penetrates the enamel to reach stain molecules, not because the enamel is being eroded.
Will whitening work on crowns, veneers, or fillings?
No, whitening agents do not affect dental materials like porcelain, composite fillings, or veneers. Your natural teeth will brighten while restorations remain their original color, potentially creating a noticeable mismatch.
Can smokers still benefit from teeth whitening?
Yes, smokers can achieve whiter teeth, but the results typically don’t last as long due to constant exposure to new stains. You will likely need more frequent touch-up treatments than non-smokers to maintain the whiteness.
Are at-home whitening trays as effective as in-office treatment?
Custom-fitted professional take-home trays produce results comparable to in-office treatments, but they require a longer treatment time (typically 1–2 weeks versus one hour). Over-the-counter products generally deliver significantly weaker results than either professional option.
Can pregnant or breastfeeding women whiten their teeth?
Most dentists recommend postponing whitening procedures until after pregnancy and breastfeeding are complete. This is a precautionary measure due to a lack of conclusive safety research regarding the small amounts of whitening agents that can be absorbed systemically.
If you’re looking to remove stains or discoloration from your teeth, contact Derby Dental in Austin, TX. Call us at 512-795-0128 or request an appointment online.