You may want to start by speaking with the dentists at Kent Free Teeth Whitening. Our dentists can tell you whether whitening procedures would be effective for you. Whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration. For example, yellow-ish hued teeth will probably bleach well, brownish-colored teeth may bleach less well, and grayish-hued teeth may not bleach well at all. Likewise, bleaching may not enhance your smile if you have had bonding or tooth-colored fillings placed in your front teeth. The whitener at Kent Free Teeth Whitening will not effect the color of these materials, and they will stand out in your newly whitened smile. In these cases, you may want to investigate other options, like porcelain veneers or dental bonding.

2. What is in-office bleaching?

If you are a candidate for bleaching, Kent Free Teeth Whitening may suggest a procedure that can be done at her office. This procedure is called chairside bleaching and may require more than one office visit at Kent Free Teeth Whitening. Each visit may take from 30 minutes to one hour.

During chairside bleaching, a dentist at Kent Free Teeth Whitening will apply either a protective gel to your gums or a rubber shield to protect the oral soft tissues. A bleaching agent is then applied to the teeth, and a special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent.

A number of in-office bleaching agents have the ADA Seal of Acceptance, your assurance that they have met ADA standards of safety and effectiveness.

Lasers have been used during tooth whitening procedures to enhance the action of the whitening agent. No whitening products using lasers currently are on the ADA list of Accepted products.

3. What are at-home procedures and products?

There are several types of products available for use at home, which can either be dispensed by your dentist or purchased over-the-counter.

Bleaching solutions. These products contain peroxide(s), which actually bleach the tooth enamel. These products typically rely on percent carbamide peroxide as the bleaching agent, carbamide peroxide comes in several different concentrations (10%, 16%, 22%).

Peroxide-containing whiteners typically come in a gel and are placed in a mouthguard. Usage regimens vary. Some products are used for about twice a day for 2 weeks, and others are intended for overnight use for 1-2 weeks. If you obtain the bleaching solution from your dentist, he or she can make a custom-fitted mouthguard for you that will fit your teeth precisely. Currently, only dentist-dispensed home-use 10% carbamide peroxide tray-applied gels carry the ADA Seal.

You also may want to speak with your dentist should any side effects become bothersome. For example, teeth can become sensitive during the period when you are using the bleaching solution. In many cases, this sensitivity is temporary and should lessen once the treatment is finished. Some people also experience soft tissue irritation—either from a tray that doesn’t fit properly or from solution that may come in contact with the tissues. If you have concerns about such side effects, you should discuss them with your dentist.

Toothpastes. All toothpastes help remove surface stain through the action of mild abrasives. "Whitening" toothpastes in the ADA Seal of Acceptance program have special chemical or polishing agents that provide additional stain removal effectiveness. Unlike bleaches, these ADA Accepted products do not alter the intrinsic color of teeth.

4. How should I choose a whitening product?

When selecting a whitener or any dental product, be sure to look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance—your assurance that they have met ADA standards of safety and effectiveness.

You can find a dentist in Kent, Washington, WA, 98030 at Kent Family Dentistry. Our Kent family practice offers dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, and sedation dentistry to the people in Kent, Washington and nearby cities. Our Kent dentist takes people with or without dental insurance. Dr. Hugh Leung, our Kent dentist, and other dentists provide great dental care to the people of Kent, WA and its surrounding areas. If you need to find a dentist for your teeth, our Kent cosmetic dentists treat any smile with a variety of dental procedures such as crowns, fillings, root canals, dentures, implant restorations, tooth whitening, bridges, porcelain veneers, adult dental care, and many more dental practices. Our Kent dentists offer great dental specials on tooth whitening and dental implants with our DDS discounts. Our general dental practice provides the best dental care in Kent, Washington. Patients’ mouths are happy and healthy at our Kent family practice. Dr. Hugh Leung DMD, MS is a great dentist in Kent, WA. Can I find a dentist in Kent? It is not hard to find a dentist anymore because of the great quality at Kent Family Dentistry. Patients come from Kent, Auburn, Covington, Renton, Des Moines, Issaquah, Maple Valley, Federal Way, Burien, Tukwila, Seattle, Tacoma, and other Washington cities and towns to visit our great and gentle dentists. If you have a toothache, plaque, or any pain in your teeth one of our gentle dentists with a DMD or DDS can treat you. Our cosmetic dentists in Kent can create smile makeovers with dramatic results by using tooth whitening, crowns, implants, and veneers on your teeth.