Teeth Whitening Cary, NC

Professional teeth whitening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to enhance your smile and one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments today. Dr. Emily Ann Reece offers teeth whitening in her Cary, NC, dental office. She will meet with you to evaluate your needs and your dental health, as well as discuss your cosmetic goals, before recommending treatment.

If your tooth stains are resistant to teeth whitening products, we offer cosmetic treatments such as dental crowns, porcelain veneers, and tooth bonding. These treatments not only address discolored teeth but offer longer-lasting results. We welcome you to learn about the causes of tooth discoloration and teeth whitening treatment in the Raleigh and Cary areas at Reedy Creek Family and Cosmetic Dentistry.

What Causes Tooth Discoloration?

Many everyday habits and factors can speed up tooth discoloration:

• Tobacco: Smoking or using other tobacco products causes yellow, brown, or even grayish stains. Most people can identify a smoker just by looking at their smile.
• Aging: Over time, your enamel naturally thins out. This allows the yellowish dentin underneath to become more visible.
• Food and Drinks: Dark-colored foods and beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, and soda leave stains on your teeth over time. The more often you consume them, the faster discoloration happens.
• Genetics: Some people are born with thicker, whiter enamel than others. Your genes play a big role in how bright your smile stays as you age.
• Poor Oral Hygiene: If you do not brush and floss regularly, plaque and tartar build up on your teeth. This buildup can make your smile look yellow and dull.
• Tooth Damage: Trauma to the mouth can cause a tooth to turn dark or gray. Certain medications can also cause tooth staining that is difficult to remove with regular whitening.

Why Dr. Reece Checks Your Teeth Before Whitening

Whitening works on enamel. It doesn’t work on crowns, veneers, fillings, or bonding. If you have visible restorations, they won’t change color, which means your natural teeth may end up brighter than the restorations beside them. That’s why Dr. Reece reviews your dental history and examines every restoration before recommending treatment.

Dr. Reece also checks for decay and gum disease before whitening. Whitening over a cavity can make the cavity worse, and whitening when your gums are inflamed can cause discomfort. Her residency at the VA Medical Center in Fayetteville trained her to evaluate patients with complex medical histories and multiple restorations, so she’s used to catching problems that other providers might miss.

At your consultation, she’ll examine your teeth and gums, take digital X-rays to check for decay, note any restorations, and tell you what to expect from the results. If a different treatment would get you the result you want, she’ll tell you that too.

Teeth Whitening Treatment at Reedy Creek

Dr. Reece customizes your whitening treatment based on your needs and goals. Here’s what in-office treatment looks like.

Cleaning and Gum Protection

First, Dr. Reece cleans your teeth to remove plaque and tartar buildup. That ensures the whitening solution reaches every surface evenly. Then she places a dental dam or protective gel over your gums to keep the bleaching solution off soft tissue, which reduces sensitivity and irritation.

Teeth Bleaching

Dr. Reece applies a professional-strength bleaching gel to the surface of your teeth. The gel contains a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide, the main ingredient that whitens teeth. She leaves it on for 15 to 30 minutes so it penetrates the enamel.

Gel Activation

A special light activates the gel. Dr. Reece may repeat the process a few times to reach your desired level of whitening, and she checks with you along the way to make sure you’re comfortable and the shade is where you want it.

How to Keep Your Smile Bright After Whitening

The first 48 hours matter most. Your enamel pores stay open right after treatment, which makes staining easier. Avoid coffee, tea, red wine, dark soda, and tobacco for at least two days. Also follow these tips for the best results:

• Use a straw: Drinking staining beverages through a straw limits contact with your front teeth. That’s a small habit that pays off over time.
• Wait 30 minutes to eat: After whitening, wait at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything. That gives the enamel time to remineralize.
• Keep up with home care: Brush twice a day, floss daily, and keep your regular cleanings. Whitening results last longer when your teeth stay clean.
• Touch up once or twice a year: Dr. Reece recommends whitening once or twice a year at most. More frequent whitening raises sensitivity and can make the shade look unnatural.