Teeth Whitening in Skillman, NJ

Stains inside the tooth, from tetracycline, fluorosis or a past injury, and gray or brown discoloration. Porcelain veneers cover those instead.

Usually not. A single dark tooth needs a diagnosis first, and it’s often treated with a porcelain veneer or a crown.

Enamel thins over time and the yellower layer underneath shows through, and foods and drinks stain from the outside. Brushing removes plaque, not those stains.

Strips use a milder gel, don’t reach every surface evenly and can’t change stains inside the tooth. An exam shows which kind of stain you have.

Fillings, crowns and bonding don’t whiten. If an older restoration no longer matches, it can be replaced with bonding matched to your new shade.

Philips Zoom in-office whitening. After your gums and lips are protected, a professional-strength whitening gel is applied and activated with the Zoom light, for up to 8 shades brighter in a single visit.

Not when it’s done under a dentist’s supervision with your gums protected. The gel breaks down the stain molecules inside the tooth; it doesn’t strip the enamel.

Not as a whitening method. Abrasive powders wear enamel and acids soften it, and neither changes deeper stains.

Yes. Bleaching is the technical term for lightening teeth beyond their natural shade with a peroxide gel, which is exactly what professional whitening does.

Whitening is elective, so it is usually postponed until after pregnancy and nursing. Exams and cleanings carry on as normal in the meantime.

Whiten after treatment, so every tooth surface lightens evenly. Invisalign and whitening are both done in-house.

Yes. Bonding and veneers keep the shade they’re made in, so whitening first lets them match your brightest natural teeth.

Whitening is cosmetic, so dental plans don’t usually cover it. The exam and cleaning that come first often are, so bring your plan details to the visit.

Often, yes, and it is the best time. A cleaning clears the plaque and surface stains first, so the whitening gel reaches the enamel evenly. Ask when you book and the two can be scheduled together.

One to two weeks ahead gives your new shade time to settle before the big day.

For the first day or two, stick to light-colored foods and drinks: water, milk, white rice, pasta, chicken, fish and bananas. Coffee, tea, red wine and anything that would stain a white shirt can wait.

A tooth that darkened after a root canal often doesn’t lighten from the outside. A crown or veneer is the usual fix.

Whenever your shade starts to dull, which is usually noticed first at a cleaning. The team can tell you then whether it is time for a repeat visit.

Yes: book online anytime at www.deluxedentistry.com/schedule-appointment. You can also call (609) 303-2005 or (609) 400-1393 during office hours.