The Best Ways to Whiten Your Teeth for the Holidays!

Are you dreaming of a white, bright holiday smile? Our dedicated team at Santa Teresa Dental is here to help. We are pleased to offer a range of cosmetic dentistry solutions, including professional teeth whitening to lift stains and discoloration, leaving your smile at its brightest this holiday season and all year long. 

How Do Teeth Get Stained and Discolored?

Teeth staining and discoloration can occur due to natural aging, poor dental hygiene, staining foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, wine, and berries, and using tobacco products. The good news is that professional whitening treatments can lift most teeth stains, restoring your smile’s sparkle in time for the holidays. 

Professional Teeth Whitening

At Santa Teresa Dental, we offer Zoom In-office whitening to reverse tooth staining and discoloration. The procedure begins with covering your lips and gums for protection, followed by applying the patented Zoom whitening gel to your tooth surfaces. The Zoom Advanced Power Chairside Lamp will activate the hydrogen peroxide gel, enhancing your teeth whitening process. 

After application, the bleaching gel will break down, and oxygen will penetrate the tooth enamel and underlying dentin, lifting most stains while leaving your tooth structure intact. Most individuals require three gel application sessions with 15-minute Zoom light activation, delivering a smile several shades whiter and brighter in under an hour. 

If you would prefer to whiten your teeth at home, we are happy to offer custom whitening trays created from impressions of your smile and a prescription-strength whitening gel to wear for 15-30 minutes a day. At-home whitening takes about 9-18 days to lift stains and discoloration delivering a smile up to six shades whiter and brighter! 

Who Is a Candidate for Whitening Treatments?

Zoom professional teeth whitening lifts most stubborn stains and discoloration, especially resulting from the natural aging process, consuming dark foods and beverages, and using tobacco products. It may not remove stains from trauma or medications and cannot lift discoloration off dental restorations, such as crowns or veneers. If you are not a candidate for Zoom professional whitening treatments, we may recommend alternative cosmetic dentistry solutions, such as dental bonding or porcelain veneers. 

Maintaining Your White Holiday Smile

Once your smile is bright and ready for the holidays, there are things you can do to keep it bright and sparkling. Here are tips to help you maintain a dazzling smile this joyful season and all year long:  

• Practice Good Home Oral Hygiene: Make sure to maintain meticulous oral hygiene practices. These include regular brushing and flossing to remove plaque and food debris that can dull and discolor your teeth. 
• Limit Dark Foods and Beverages: Limit the consumption of dark foods and drink varieties that can stain your teeth. If you consume coffee, tea, or tomato-based dishes, rinse your mouth with water right after to minimize new staining or discoloration.
• Drink Lots of Water: Water helps wash away plaque, bacteria, and food debris and neutralizes acids, keeping your smile clean and fresh. It also helps lower the risk of dry mouth, which can lead to an elevated risk of tooth decay, periodontal disease, and bad breath.
• Refrain from Using Tobacco Products: Smoking and using tobacco products can lead to dull and discolored teeth. It can also lead to a host of oral health concerns and can impact your overall well-being.
• Chew Sugar-Free Gum: Sugar-free gum increases your saliva production, which helps flush away food particles and plaque, preventing new staining. Choose a gum variety with xylitol, which has been shown to boost your oral health and contribute to a brighter smile.
• Eat Plenty of Fresh Fruits and Veggies: Carrots, celery, apples, and other crunchy fruits and veggies act like nature’s toothbrushes, removing surface tooth stains. They are also rich in vitamin C, boosting saliva production, washing away plaque and debris, and brightening your smile.  
• Touch-Up Whitening: If your teeth become dull and discolored after your professional whitening treatment, you may want to use your at-home whitening kit. We’re here to ensure your smile stays white and bright this holiday season.

Zoom Teeth Whitening in Morgan Hill, CA

Visit Santa Teresa Dental to learn more about brightening your smile in time for the holidays. Dr. Huang and his team are committed to providing you with state-of-the-art solutions for a beautifully white, bright, and dazzling smile. We invite you to experience cosmetic dentistry tailored to your needs. Call us at 408-782-6568 to schedule your appointment or book one online today!