Show Off Your Smile

Whiten and Brighten Teeth the Right Way

By Sue Baldani, photo by Dan Epstein

Whitening stained teeth can make smiles look much more beautiful. However, it is important to whiten them the right way in order to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

“In our office, it takes about an hour to an hour and a half to the entire process. The first half hour will just be blocking out the gums so they don’t get irritated or burned,” says Dr. Helen Chiu, of Chiu Dental Care. “This way, the bleaching gel will only be on the teeth.” The teeth are whitened using hydrogen peroxide, and because this can cause sensitivity, it is best performed by a professional.

There are also different levels of whiteness, and Dr. Chiu makes sure her patients have realistic expectations, unlike with some claims made with products sold over the counter. “With our shade guide, we can tell the base color and how white your teeth will get after one session,” state Dr. Chiu. “If people start with very dark teeth, they will go up two levels of whiteness; but if they want them even whiter, it will require additional sessions.” Once the patients reach the desired whiteness, they can touch up at home once a month to maintain the whiteness.

Some stains are harder to whiten than others, and if teeth are not able to be whitened due to certain conditions, she also offers porcelain laminates. With laminates, the stains will be covered permanently.

Helen Chiu, D.M.D., P.A.

248 Columbia Turnpike, Florham Park 973-377-0224 | www.chiudentalcare.com Dr. Helen Chiu

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