Teeth tend to discolor through the years as enamel wears down. The wearing down of enamel allows the dentin, the yellow substance that comprises the core of our teeth, to become more visible. This is what gives teeth a yellowish tint.

Teeth whitening restores teeth to their whitest color. Many people choose to get their teeth whitened in our Bethesda dental office because we perform the procedure professionally, safely and quickly for your ultimate convenience. Dr. Hunsinger monitors the process to ensure it is done right according to your needs.

There are a few ways to whiten teeth. We recommend consulting with your dentist before whitening. There are many over the counter whitening products including gels, toothpastes, and mouthwashes that claim they will whiten teeth. All of these products contain different levels of the active ingredient.  Below is information about what you can expect when whitening with your dentist. 
 

Teeth Whitening Methods from your Dentist
Two popular teeth whitening options are available through your dentist.  Patients may have teeth whitened in our office under our care, or use our home care kit to whiten at home.

We recommend the in-office teeth whitening procedure as it produces a significant color change in your teeth in a short amount of time, usually within 1.5 hours. We protect your teeth with a solution before applying the peroxide gel. 

Our home care whitening kits offer convenience and less cost. Patients purchase these whitening kits from our office - sometimes following the in-office whitening procedure -  and use for maintenance. The strength of the gel used in our kits is less than the solution we use for our in-office procedure and can be applied for longer periods of time. Our home care kits include trays to be worn for 15-30 minutes per day,  for a few days or weeks depending on your frequency of use.

We recommend consulting Dr. Hunsinger, as your dentist has comprehensive knowledge of your teeth and can determine which whitening option is best for you.