Teeth Whitening

Over time, teeth naturally lose their shine. Thanks to innovations in modern dentistry, though, achieving a bright smile is simple with teeth whitening.

At McKibben Dental, it is the priority of our team to offer efficient cosmetic dentistry solutions for our patients. We are proud to offer the patients of the Columbus area options for both teeth whitening at home and in office whitening. 

Since we are oral health professionals, the products and whitening treatment we offer are far more effective than over-the-counter options like whitening strips or simply using whitening toothpaste.

Why Do Teeth Get Dull Over Time?

As your mouth matures, teeth can naturally become dull and lose their luster. This is usually due to standard wear and tear associated with chewing, grinding, biting and general aging. 

Additionally, acids and colors of different foods can stain your teeth. For example, if you regularly consume coffee, tea, red wine or artificially dyed foods, your teeth will become stained. Certain medications can also stain teeth over time, and tobacco users are especially prone to dulled teeth. 

Luckily, teeth whitening treatments function as an external stain remover for teeth. However, if you have internal tooth staining from medications, a root canal or decay, Dr. McKibben and Dr. Ehrbar may recommend a different treatment like porcelain veneers.

What Happens During Teeth Whitening?

There are multiple different options available for this cosmetic treatment. Depending on your needs and preferences, teeth whitening can be performed in a dental office or at-home with a special whitening kit.

For an in-office bleaching, the most common form of technology used is a special whitening gel with a high level of hydrogen peroxide. After application, a whitening lamp is used to activate the gel.

For patients opting for teeth whitening at home, special trays that fit your mouth and a whitening gel are used. The whitening solution goes into your trays, which then fit securely over your teeth. As you wear the tray, the bleach solution will whiten your teeth. Trays should be worn for at least 30 minutes a day, or overnight.

It’s important to note that teeth whitening is a purely aesthetic procedure and doesn’t contribute to the overall health and wellness of your mouth. Instead, it simply helps you brighten your smile. If you suspect you need more intensive treatment to restore your mouth, call us at 614-575-9530 to discuss our full range of restorative dental treatments.

Why Should I Get My Teeth Professionally Whitened?

Hydrogen peroxide, the key bleaching agent for teeth whitening, is only present in small amounts in over-the-counter products like whitening gel, strips and toothpaste. Using these products may provide a few months of results, but due to the low concentration of the whitening agent, teeth bleaching will quickly fade.

On the other hand, professional teeth whitening treatments have a much higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide and lasts far longer. Since our team regularly treats you, we’re also able to tailor your whitening treatment to your specific oral health needs. If you have restorations, for example, or sensitive teeth, we can provide any necessary modifications.

Finally, as dental professionals, Dr. McKibben, Dr. Ehrbar, and the team are well-versed in cosmetic dentistry. This makes in office whitening much safer than home whitening and over-the-counter treatment.

Looking for Teeth Whitening in Reynoldsburg and the Surrounding Columbus area?

At McKibben Dental, our expert team specializes in cosmetic dentistry solutions that maintain your healthy mouth and show off your beautiful smile. Call our office at 614-575-9530 to discuss all of the services we offer to brighten, repair and enhance your teeth, including teeth whitening.