Do you feel embarrassed or nervous about your stained teeth? Your smile is one of the first things people notice, and yellow or dull teeth can make you feel less confident. But you don’t have to hide your smile anymore. Dr. Greg Reece can help you get a whiter, brighter smile with professional teeth whitening in Charlotte, NC.
Many people feel unsure about going to the dentist for cosmetic dentistry treatments. That’s why Dr. Reece and his team at Dentistry of the Queen City work hard to make you feel comfortable and welcome. We offer GLO Pro Power Teeth Whitening to help remove stains and give your smile a fresh and clean look.
You can get a whiter and younger-looking smile without lights or lasers. Dr. Reece also considers tooth sensitivity and will protect your sensitive teeth. Glo Pro Power Teeth Whitening involves both in-office and at-home teeth whitening treatments that provide many benefits for our patients.
Common Causes of Tooth Stains
Tooth stains can happen to anyone and are more common than you might think. Even if you brush and floss every day, your teeth can still become yellow or discolored over time. Knowing what causes tooth stains can help you make smart choices and keep your smile looking bright. Common causes of tooth discoloration include:
- Foods and Drinks: One of the biggest causes of tooth stains is what you eat and drink. Drinks like coffee, tea, red wine, and soda can leave dark stains on your teeth. Foods with strong colors, like berries, tomato sauce, and soy sauce, can also stain your teeth over time.
- Smoking and Tobacco Use: Smoking or chewing tobacco is another big reason for tooth discoloration. Tobacco leaves behind yellow or brown stains that are hard to remove with brushing alone. These stains often require professional whitening to go away.
- Poor Oral Hygiene: If you don’t brush and floss your teeth every day, plaque and tartar can build up. This can make your teeth look dull, dirty, or even yellow. Good oral hygiene is one of the best ways to keep your smile bright.
- Medication: Some medications, like certain antibiotics, can cause your teeth to change color, especially if you took them as a child while your teeth were still developing. Other medicines, like some used for allergies or high blood pressure, may also cause staining over time.
- Dental Injuries: A hard hit to a tooth can damage the blood vessels inside, causing it to turn gray or dark. Even if the tooth doesn’t break, the color can change due to internal bleeding or nerve damage.
- Aging: As you get older, the outer layer of your teeth, called enamel, wears down. This makes the inner layer, called dentin, show through more. Dentin is yellow, so your teeth may naturally look darker with age.
The Top Benefits of Professional Whitening
Our patients get many benefits from this popular cosmetic dental treatment. Some of the benefits of teeth whitening in Charlotte, NC, include:
- Lasts much longer than traditional teeth whitening treatments
- Improves tooth health by using fewer chemicals
- Less sensitivity on your tooth enamel
- Reverses the effects of aging on teeth
- Brightens teeth effectively the first time
- Can help improve your confidence
Visit our dental office if you haven’t had success with other whitening options. Our teeth whitening treatment is great for patients who have stains on their teeth from antibiotics and medications. It can remove deep stains and leave you with brilliant, ultra-white teeth.
Professional Teeth Whitening Treatment in Charlotte, NC
Before whitening treatment, Dr. Reece will check your teeth and gums to see if whitening is right for you. He’ll also talk with you about your oral health goals. You need to treat problems like gum disease and cavities before we recommend cosmetic treatment. If whitening is a good fit, we’ll set you up with treatment right here in our Charlotte dental office.
GLO Pro Power whitening uses a dual approach: an in-office session followed by take-home treatment. The system combines gentle warming heat and LED light to activate the whitening gel. This closed-system design keeps the gel where it belongs and helps reduce sensitivity.
In-Office GLO Treatment
Your first visit starts with a protective barrier applied to your gums. Dr. Reece then applies the professional-strength whitening gel and places the GLO mouthpiece. The device gently warms the gel using patented GLO technology.
You’ll complete a series of short cycles, typically 8 minutes each, for a total treatment time of about 16 to 32 minutes. The built-in timer shuts off automatically after each cycle. Most patients see noticeable results after this first session.
Take-Home GLO Treatment
You’ll leave with the same GLO technology used in our office, so you can continue whitening at home. Your take-home kit includes a wireless GLO mouthpiece and professional-strength whitening gel vials.
You’ll apply the gel to your teeth and wear the mouthpiece for short daily sessions, usually two 8-minute cycles per day. The system is hands-free, so you can move around while you whiten. Most patients complete their take-home treatment over 5 to 7 days.
What to Expect
The GLO system is designed to be comfortable. The warming heat is controlled and won’t overheat your teeth. The closed-system mouthpiece keeps the gel away from your gums, reducing irritation. You may feel some mild sensitivity, but most patients find GLO much more comfortable than traditional whitening.
GLO Pro Power can brighten your smile by up to five shades or more. Results vary, but most patients see significant improvement after completing the full treatment.
Alternatives to Teeth Whitening Procedures
If you want to cover deep tooth stains but don’t want to undergo whitening treatment, we may recommend other cosmetic or restorative treatments. Alternatives to whitening in our office include:
Dental Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin shells that cover the front of your teeth. They’re a great choice if you have one or two teeth with stains that whitening can’t fix. Veneers are custom-made to match the color and shape of your other teeth, so they look natural. This treatment works well if you don’t need a full smile makeover, but want to improve the appearance of a few teeth.
Dental Bonding
Tooth bonding is another way to hide tooth stains. In this treatment, we apply a tooth-colored material to your stained tooth and shape it to look natural. Once it hardens, it blends in with your other teeth. Bonding is a fast and affordable option for covering small stains or fixing chipped teeth. However, it may not last as long as veneers or crowns.
Crowns
A dental crown might be the best choice if you have a tooth with deeper stains or other damage. A crown is a strong, tooth-shaped cap that covers the entire tooth. Like veneers, crowns can match the color of your natural teeth. They not only improve how your tooth looks, but also make your teeth stronger.
Real Patient: Before And After
How to Maintain Your Results
Keeping your teeth bright after whitening is easy with a little care. Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. This helps clear away food particles, plaque, and tartar that can cause yellowing.
Fluoride works like a shield for your enamel. It strengthens and repairs weak spots caused by acids or sugar. Fluoride can also gradually lighten surface stains and fight off bacteria that cause discoloration. When buying toothpaste, look for one with fluoride and the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance for the best results.
Right after your whitening treatment, try to avoid dark-colored foods and drinks for about a week. If you do enjoy these drinks, sip through a straw and rinse your mouth afterward to limit staining. These simple steps can help your smile stay white longer, so you won’t need touch-ups as often.
Patient Review
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Do you want to know about professional whitening near you? Read answers to common questions about teeth whitening in Charlotte, NC.
How long do results from GLO Pro Power Whitening last?
GLO Pro Power whitening results typically last several months to a year or more, depending on your diet and oral hygiene habits. You can maintain your results with short touch-up sessions using your take-home GLO device. For optimal brightness, consider a full GLO whitening treatment every 4 to 6 months.
Will my gums stain after teeth whitening?
Professional teeth whitening can stain gums, but it’s rare. You can compare it to a sunburn on your gums. This can last 24 hours, and your gum tissue will peel similarly to skin with a sunburn. However, this is completely normal, painless, and shouldn’t last more than a day or two.
Can teeth whitening damage your teeth?
Teeth whitening doesn’t damage your teeth. Contrary to popular belief, the procedure doesn’t harm your enamel.
However, overusing teeth whitening products can cause long-lasting tooth sensitivity. Be careful not to use too many store-bought products, like whitening strips, in a short period.
Will teeth whitening make my gums sensitive?
In most cases, no. Professional teeth whitening is designed to be gentle. In our office, we cover the gums to reduce sensitivity and isolate the teeth.
For take-home whitening, we use custom-made trays that are crafted specifically for your smile. These trays fit your teeth perfectly, which keeps the whitening gel focused exactly where it belongs and away from your gums.
Some people may notice mild gum sensitivity if the gel touches the gums. This irritation is temporary and goes away quickly. If you have sensitive gums or any concerns, let Dr. Reece know before treatment.
Can my dentist whiten dentures?
No, dentists can’t whiten dentures because they’re made of artificial materials. Normal whitening toothpaste and traditional whitening methods can’t penetrate the material like natural tooth enamel. However, we can replace dentures and color-match them to your desired shade.
Does it hurt to whiten your teeth at the dentist?
No, your teeth may feel achy during treatment, but it won’t be painful. Ibuprofen can help with pain, but you probably won’t need it. The only sensitivity you’ll feel is when you drink very hot or cold drinks.
Drink liquids at room temperature until the temporary sensitivity goes away. Temporary sensitivity should go away within 24 to 48 hours after the procedure. If it lasts longer, give us a call for more tips.
Brighten Your Teeth in Our Charlotte, NC, Dental Practice Today
If you are looking to brighten your smile, contact our dental office in Charlotte, NC. Call Dr. Reece and the dental care team at 704-486-8911 or request an appointment online.
Dr. Reece will work with you to keep you comfortable at every step of the treatment process. If other whitening methods haven’t worked for you and your teeth, professional whitening may be what you’re looking for. We’re proud to serve patients from Dilworth, Myers Park, Mooresville, and Huntersville.
