Teeth Whitening

Playa District Dental

Erik Ligans, DDS

Cosmetic Dentist located in Los Angeles, CA

Teeth whitening provides a safe and effective way to achieve a brighter, whiter, and more attractive smile. At Playa District Dental, in the Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, Dr. E (Erik Ligans, DDS) and the team offer in-office whitening with Philips Zoom! and take-home whitening kits. Call the office today to schedule an appointment.

Teeth Whitening Q & A

What causes teeth to become yellow and discolored?

Several factors can cause your teeth to become yellow and discolored, most notably, the natural aging process. As you get older, the outer layer of tooth enamel wears away, revealing dentin beneath. Dentin is yellow, causing your teeth to appear dingy.

Other things that can stain your teeth include:

  • Taking medication with tetracycline
  • Drinking beverages with tannins, like coffee and tea
  • Eating foods like tomatoes or berries
  • Using tobacco products

Poor oral hygiene can also play a role. You can significantly reduce the appearance of stains by undergoing an oral exam and professional cleaning every six months. 

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry technique that uses FDA-approved bleaching solutions to remove stains from your teeth. 

The majority of teeth whitening treatments, including Philips Zoom!, use carbamide peroxide, a harmless solution that’s closely related to hydrogen peroxide. Carbamide peroxide is incredibly safe, presents no side-effects, and provides long-lasting results.

What are the types of teeth whitening?

At Playa District Dental, Dr. E and the team offer several types of teeth whitening, including:

Philips Zoom! In-office whitening

Philips Zoom! can make your teeth between 6-8* shades lighter during a single, one-hour appointment. At the beginning of treatment, the team covers your tongue and gums with a protective rubber sheet. They then apply the Zoom! bleaching solution to your teeth and allow it to rest for 15-20 minutes.

Once the solution has time to set in, the team points a blue light at your teeth that triggers a bleaching reaction. The team repeats these same steps multiple times until your teeth are the desired shade of white.

Take-home teeth whitening kits

Take-home teeth whitening kits allow you to whiten your teeth at your own speed. Each kit contains two plastic mouthpieces, a syringe, and a liquid bleaching solution. You transfer the bleaching solution to your mouthpieces with the syringe. Then, you wear the mouthpieces for three to four hours. Over a period of weeks, the trays help whiten and brighten your teeth.

Are the results of teeth whitening permanent?

The results of teeth whitening aren’t permanent, but they typically last four to six months and sometimes even longer. To maintain your results, Dr. E and the team recommend brushing twice a day, flossing regularly, and visiting Playa District Dental twice a year for an oral exam and professional cleaning.

At your recommended biannual cleanings, your Playa District Dental provider removes plaque and tartar buildup, flosses between your teeth, and then polishes their surfaces with a special toothpaste. They also perform an oral health exam and look inside your mouth for signs of decay or disease and offer suggestions for how to improve your oral hygiene at home.

Additionally, you might consider investing in regular whitening touch-ups. The more frequently you whiten your teeth, the brighter and shinier they appear.

If you want a brilliant smile, request a teeth whitening consultation at Playa District Dental. Call the office today to book an appointment.

*Individual results may vary.