1911 Queen Anne Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 284-3780

facebooktwitter

Teeth Whitening


photo of smiling mother and daughter

Everybody loves a bright white smile, and there are a variety of products and procedures available to help you improve the look of yours.

Many people are satisfied with the sparkle they get from brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, flossing once a day, and regular cleanings at the dentist's office. However, if you decide you would like to go beyond regular care to make your smile look brighter, you should investigate all of your options.

Finding the Best Treatment for You

Schedule a visit with our dentist to learn whether whitening procedures would be effective for you. Whiteners do not correct all types of discoloration. For example, yellowish teeth will probably bleach well, brownish teeth may bleach less well, and grayish teeth may not bleach well at all. Likewise, whitening may not enhance your smile if you have had tooth-colored fillings or crowns. The whitener will not affect the color of these materials and they will stand out in your newly whitened smile. In these cases, you do have other options, such as porcelain veneers.

Tooth Whitening Treatments

  • Professional teeth whitening with your doctor
  • At-home whitening system
  • Whitening toothpaste

When selecting a whitener or any dental product, be sure to look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance — your assurance that a product has met ADA standards of safety and effectiveness.

Philips Zoom Whitening System

Philips Zoom Whitening System

We are excited to announce that we now offer in-office whitening with the Philips Zoom Whitening System! With Philips Zoom WhiteSpeed, your smile can be up to eight shades whiter in just one 45-minute office visit. WhiteSpeed has adjustable intensity settings to help maximize patient comfort, and 99% of patients experience little to no sensitivity. Call the office today to set up an appointment for whitening!

At-Home Whitening System

There are several types of products available for use at home, which can either be dispensed by Dr. Blancaflor or purchased over the counter. They are generally teeth whitening trays (mouth guards), strips, or paint-on products.

Teeth Whitening Trays

These products contain peroxide(s) which actually bleach the tooth enamel. Carbamide peroxide is the bleaching agent and comes in several different concentrations (10%, 16%, and 22%). Peroxide-containing whiteners typically come in a gel and are placed in a mouth guard. Usage regimens vary. Some products are used twice a day for two weeks, while others are intended for overnight use for one to two weeks. If you obtain the bleaching solution from our office, we can make a custom-fitted mouth guard for you that will fit your teeth precisely. Currently, only dentist-dispensed, home-use, 10% carbamide peroxide tray-applied gels carry the ADA Seal.

Teeth Whitening Strips

Teeth whitening strips are thin, flexible plastic (polyethylene) strips with a thin film of hydrogen peroxide bleaching on one side. Whitening strip kits come with two types of strips: strips for the upper teeth and strips for the lower teeth. The bleaching agent is applied by placing the strips across your teeth and gently pressing the strips into place to insure contact with all your teeth. Teeth whitening strips are typically worn for 30 minutes a day, twice a day. The duration of treatment will vary.

Paint-On Teeth Whitening

Paint-on teeth whitening allows you to apply a bleaching agent directly to your teeth without an appliance or strip. You simply "paint" the whitener onto the surface of clean, dry teeth and wait about 30 minutes while the paint turns to a dry film. To remove this film, you simply brush your teeth with a toothbrush. Paint-on whitening products require twice-daily applications to be effective. The duration of treatment will vary. An advantage in this process is that you can selectively paint individual teeth.

Teeth whitening can have minor side-effects and you should speak with Dr. Blancaflor if these become bothersome. For example, teeth can become sensitive during the period when you are using the bleaching solution. In most cases, this sensitivity is temporary and should lessen once the treatment is finished. Some people also experience soft tissue irritation, either from a tray that doesn't fit properly or from solution that may come in contact with the tissues. If you have concerns about such side effects, you should discuss them with Dr. Blancaflor.

Whitening Toothpaste

All toothpastes help remove surface stain from your teeth through the action of mild abrasives. "Whitening" toothpastes in the ADA Seal of Acceptance program have special chemical or polishing agents that provide additional stain removal effectiveness. Unlike bleaches, these ADA Accepted products do not alter the intrinsic color of teeth.

↑ Back to top

1911 Queen Anne Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 284-3780

OFFICE NOTICE

Greetings Patients and Friends,

I am writing you to inform you I will be retiring after 28 years of practicing dentistry on Queen Anne. I've had the privilege of caring for you and your families with whom I've formed lasting connections and friendships. I will sincerely miss seeing you regularly but look forward to spending more time with my family, pursuing my other interests and hobbies and hopefully much more travel in my future. After careful evaluation, I am grateful that I will be passing my dental practice and patients to Dr Jasmyn Blancaflor, DMD who shares the same practice philosophy of quality, compassionate dental care. We both believe in preventative dentistry and only recommending treatment we would recommend to our own family.

Dr Jasmyn Blancaflor was born in South Korea, adopted at 4 months old, and grew up in Eastern Washington. She attended the University of Washington for her undergraduate and the University of Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine for her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. Dr Blancaflor has been practicing dentistry in the greater Seattle area for over 6 years, and I am confident that you will receive the highest level of quality and integrity from her.

Dr Blancaflor is married and has two young daughters. She looks forward to getting to know you and serving you with gentle, personalized care.

The transition of my practice to Dr Jasmyn Blancaflor is effective immediately and all dental records and scheduled appointments will be transferred to her care. I encourage you to meet Dr Blancaflor and have her serve your dental needs.

I would like to express my gratitude and deep appreciation for my staff and my wife, Tina. Their dedication, compassion and professional skills have greatly contributed to providing you with quality dental care.

It has been a great pleasure and honor to serve your dental needs. Thank you for your support over the years, I am grateful for all we have shared together.

Sincerely,
Dr. David Arndt, DDS, PS

Learn More About Dr. Jasmyn Blancaflor