Teeth Whitening in Stafford, VA: Professional Philips Zoom Whitening

Coffee, tea, red wine, and simply getting older all leave their mark on tooth enamel. Professional teeth whitening in Stafford, VA lifts many of those stains under the supervision of a dentist who has examined your mouth first. At Rai Family Dentistry, we whiten teeth with Philips Zoom for adults who want a brighter smile for a wedding, a job interview, photos, or no special reason at all.

Whitening is safe for most people when it is done properly, and that begins with knowing what is causing the discoloration. Dr. Shivaprasanna Rai or Dr. Paulina Oldland will look at your teeth and gums before recommending treatment. Whitening gel can irritate untreated cavities, cracked teeth, and inflamed gums, so those problems come first. Your dentist will also point out any crowns, fillings, or bonding on your front teeth. These materials do not change color with whitening, and it is better to know that before you start than to be surprised afterward.

Whitening may be a good fit if you have:

• Yellowing that has built up gradually over the years
• Surface stains from coffee, tea, soda, red wine, or tobacco
• A big event coming up and want your smile to look its best
• Tried store-bought strips or toothpaste without much change
• Healthy teeth and gums and no major dental work on your front teeth

So what happens at a whitening visit? We start by recording the current color of your teeth so you can compare before and after. Your lips and gums are covered with a protective barrier, leaving only the teeth exposed. The Philips Zoom whitening gel is then applied to the front surfaces and left to work, and it is typically refreshed more than once during the appointment. If your teeth start to feel sensitive, tell us and we can pause or stop. When the gel is rinsed away, we look at the new color together, and your dentist goes over how to care for your teeth in the days that follow. How much lighter teeth get varies from person to person, and some kinds of discoloration respond better than others.

Ways to keep your results longer:

• Avoid dark drinks and strongly colored foods for the first day or two
• Rinse with water after coffee, tea, or red wine
• Stay away from tobacco
• Use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth if you notice temporary sensitivity
• Keep up with professional cleanings, which remove new surface stains

Whitening is a cosmetic service, so dental insurance generally does not pay for it. We are glad to check your plan, and we accept most PPO dental insurance plans for the exams, cleanings, and other care you may need along the way. If you would like to combine whitening with other treatment and pay over time, ask about CareCredit, Alphaeon Credit, and Cherry payment plans.

Rai Family Dentistry has been part of Stafford County since 1999. Our office sits at 239 Garrisonville Rd, Suite 102, on Route 610 just off I-95, with free parking, and we welcome patients from Stafford, Aquia Harbour, Garrisonville, Falmouth, and Fredericksburg. Call (540) 657-0867 or go online to schedule a whitening visit.