FAQ

Q- What can I expect when I arrive to my appointment? 

Due to the 2019-2020 outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Plush Smile Teeth is taking extra precautions with the care of every client to include health history review and enhanced sanitation/disinfection procedures in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Q – Does teeth whitening work?

    Yes, teeth whitening does work on natural teeth that have experienced some surface and/or subsurface stains from eating, drinking or smoking things that leave stains on or in the tooth enamel. Most of our customers have been very pleased with their results from our home whitening products as well as our products for professional use.

    Q – How long does teeth whitening last?

    Average results for peroxide-based whitening gels last 6 months to 1 year and this also depends entirely upon your own tooth enamel and on your habits.

    Q – Does teeth whitening hurt?

    Most people experience absolutely no sensitivity with our products. Only a handful of the thousands of people that used our Deluxe Home Whitening Kit (with 36% carbamide peroxide gel) have reported any tooth sensitivity or gum irritation. And less than 5% reported tooth sensitivity or gum irritation from our Advanced Kit – which is for professional use only and contains 16% hydrogen peroxide gel. Less than 1% of our customers reported experiencing an allergic type of reaction to our peroxide-based whitening gel. An allergic reaction can be painful and even cause blisters.

    This risk is included in the warnings on all our of products with peroxide-based gels. If this happens to you, discontinue use immediately and, if desired, see your dentist or physician about methods to help the skin heal faster. We recommend applying pure vitamin e oil to the irritated parts of the mouth. People with gum disease might experience irritation because their gum tissues are not healthy.

    Only use whitening products if your gums don’t bleed when you floss. People with tiny cracks in their tooth enamel, any stage of dental carries, or very thin or porous enamel might experience tooth sensitivity from peroxide-based whitening gels. If this happens to you, discontinue use and see your dentist if desired. Minerals Enamel Booster, as well as the remineralizing and desensitizing gel that comes in some of our kits, does help with tooth sensitivity.

    Q – How Many Shades Whiter?

    This depends entirely on the person. It is a natural whitening that will get you to your natural tooth color. Average results are 4-8 shades.

    Q. Can I brush before my visit?

    Absolutely, we encourage brushing, just avoid flossing 2-3 days prior.

    Q. Why should I avoid flossing 2-3 days prior?

    We suggest this to minimize increased gingival irritation.

    Q. Can all teeth be whitened?

    No. When the inner structure of the tooth becomes darker or yellowed, the stain is more difficult to remove or, depending on its cause, may not be able to be removed at all. Here are some examples: Tetracycline (an antibiotic) causes intrinsic (meaning that it affects the inner structure of the tooth) staining, when used by children under age 8 or women in the last half of their pregnancy. These stains cannot be removed by bleaching.

    Fluorosis, a cosmetic dental condition that results from overexposure to fluoride during tooth development, also is not always successfully removed by bleaching. Mild to moderate fluorosis, characterized by lines, streaks or spots, can be made less obvious by using whitening products or methods. However, in more severe cases of fluorosis, bleaching will not work.

    A third type of stain is called "age-related." It's a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. As we age, the dentin (the inner portion of the tooth) gets slightly yellow. This can become visible through the outer enamel as it gradually becomes thinner over time. Yellow stains are the easiest to remove with bleaching. Gray or black stains tend to be more difficult. Generally, stains that are newly formed are easier to remove than older stains.

    Artificial dental work such as crowns, bonding, caps, veneers, bridges or composite fillings will also NOT respond to bleaching. Teeth whitening gel will only whiten natural, live teeth. Artificial teeth will not be whitened, but they won't be damaged by the peroxide.

    Q. Does teeth whitening cause sensitivity?

    Tooth sensitivity is extremely rare when using our gels. Mild tissue (gum) irritation may occur during the whitening process. The discomfort typically subsides shortly after finishing the treatment.

    Q. What can I use if my gums experience sensitivity?

    Gently rub or apply Vitamin E or Vaseline to the gums to ease discomfort.

    Q. What can I use if I experience sensitivity in my teeth?

    Whitening sensitivity typically lasts no longer than a day or two, but in some rare cases may persist up to a month. In such cases we recommend a toothpaste containing potassium nitrate for sensitive teeth, such as Sensodyne Toothpaste™, or our remineralizing/desensitizing gel, which contains potassium nitrate and fluoride.

    Q. What is the Whitening Dieting?

    The White Diet is very important to any teeth whitening procedure. You must keep to this for 24-48 hours and avoid any food or staining agent that will cause discoloration. Remember that after the teeth whitening treatment the pores of your enamel are open and this makes them extremely vulnerable to any staining agents. Once the pores close, which usually happens 24-48 hours after the procedure, you can resume your normal habits.

    1. Avoid extremely hot or cold liquids

     These are dangerous to your white smile because they change the temperature of your teeth. This temperature change (hot and cold cycling) causes teeth to expand and contract, allowing stains to penetrate your teeth. try cutting back down on these types of drinks (including coffee and tea) or try drinking them with a straw to reduce the amount of time they are in contact with your teeth.

    2. Avoid foods that are acidic

     These foods open up the pores of the tooth enamel allowing stains to more easily move into your teeth. If you are drinking fizzy drinks or iced tea, you should use a straw. The caffeine in these drinks as well as the tannins in tea can stain the teeth. Using a straw can help minimize the contact of these substances with your teeth.

    3. Cut back on drinking and smoking.

    Frequent consumption of alcoholic drinks and heavy smoking can reverse the effects of teeth whitening. Many alcoholic drinks such as wine have tannins that can stain the teeth. The same goes for the nicotine in tobacco. If you cannot quit drinking and smoking entirely, at least try to do it in moderation or lesson the frequency.

    4. Use smudge-proof lipstick.

    Ladies, after going through teeth whitening, you should consider switching your lipstick for the smudge-proof kind. Some kinds of lipstick tend to cling to the teeth, and the pigments by which lipsticks are man can contribute to the discoloration of your teeth.

    For further questions, please feel free to call or email one of our teeth whitening consultants at: (678) 322-8557 or Plushsmileteeth@gmail.com

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