Love Your Smile

THE BEST TEETH WHITENING SOLUTION

JUST LIKE THE DENTIST OFFICE, BUT WITHOUT THE BILL SHOCK

Even if you brush, floss and make regular visits to a dentist, various factors like the food you eat or the drinks you drink can still cause some teeth discolorations. Fortunately though, nowadays, there are great teeth whitening and bleaching options on the market today.

Our Teeth Whitening Formula

With our custom made trays, you can control the amount of gel for each session and achieve the optimal amount to fully cover your teeth and wipe off any excess that may protrude from the tray and keep your gums from becoming irritated. Since the trays are custom molded to your teeth, there will be no curved areas that are missed, regardless of how straight or crooked some of your teeth are. Custom is always better!

As the name suggests, tooth whitening is the removal of stains and discolorations that built up on the enamel of your teeth over time. The construction of our teeth includes an outer layer of enamel, and beneath the enamel is called dentin. The enamel is a thin protective layer and often a much lighter color, but dentin is typically darker and makes up the majority of the tooth. Many of the foods and beverages we love are responsible for the discoloration of the enamel. Tobacco, tea, brown sodas, coffee and other foods and beverages cause discoloration of the enamel. As we age, the enamel on our teeth thins and allows the darker color of the dentin to emerge, making teeth look darker as well. Luckily, our teeth whitening kit removes stains and discoloration on your enamel to bring back that beautiful smile!

How do Whitening Strips compare to Custom Whitening Trays?

The short answer is, the results are nowhere near as impressive as custom trays.

Many people look at the price of products like Crest Whitestrips and are tempted to try them as a cheap teeth whitening option. Whitening strips are constructed of small pieces of a thin and flexible plastic called polyethylene. The inside of these thin strips are coated with a layer of whitening gel that contains carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. Another downside of the whitening strips is that the gel can irritate the gums since they overlap beyond the teeth.

How often does the teeth whitening need to be touched up?

This will vary with your diet and consumption of foods and beverages that cause more staining. If you eat a lot of foods that stain or have a steady coffee habit, touch-ups may be necessary every 3 months to maintain your desired level of bright whites. If you tend to avoid foods and beverages that are responsible for staining teeth, then you may only need to touch up your smile every 12-18 months. Either way, teeth whitening is not permanent, but your reusable Sentinel Mouth Trays will be ready for another round when you need it!

What can I do to maintain my brighter smile?

These are Sentinel’s Teeth Whitening Tips for maintaining your newly whitened teeth:

• The most obvious is avoiding the consumption of products that stain your teeth. We know that’s easier said than done sometimes (we love coffee too), but one thing you can do to help is using a straw that keeps these liquids from passing through your teeth.
• Also, if brush or rinse immediately after consuming coffee and sodas, this can protect against stains setting into the teeth.
• Brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss at least once daily to remove plaque. We don’t recommend using a whitening toothpaste more than once a week to remove surface stains and prevent yellowing. It is best to use a regular toothpaste the majority of the time.
• Touch-up treatments. Depending on your consumption of foods that stain, you may need a touch-up as soon as every 6 months or possibly a year or two after your initial treatment.

Are there any risks with teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is safe, but some individuals can experience mild side effects. The two most common side effects are tooth sensitivity and mild irritation of the gums. In the early stages of the bleaching treatment is when tooth sensitivity is most likely to occur. Irritation of the gums, while less common, generally occurs from an ill-fitting mouth tray. In either instance, these issues should go away in 1-3 days after you’ve completed the treatments. If you are experiencing sensitivity, there are a few things to try before giving up on the treatment though. Shorter Duration: Try wearing your mouth trays for a shorter amount of time, like two 30-minute sessions instead of two 60 minute sessions. Take A Break: Give your teeth a 2-3 day break from the treatment to allow them to adjust to the whitening process and then try again. Toothpaste: Try using a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth.

Does insurance cover the cost of whitening procedures?

No. Dental insurance does not typically cost the cost of the tooth whitening procedure.

Do teeth whiteners damage tooth enamel?

Studies of whitening products using 22% carbamide peroxide showed little to no effect on the hardness or mineral content of a tooth’s enamel surface. The truth is, the peroxide infiltrates the enamel and dentin to interact with the stain molecules themselves and brighten up those teeth.

Do teeth whiteners damage existing dental restorations?

No, 22% carbamide peroxide is safe to use with existing restorations such as tooth-colored fillings, crowns, bonding, veneers, and bridges. However, these will restorative pieces will not lighten and so it is possible to lighten your teeth beyond your existing restoration pieces. If you have veneers or others, we recommend stopping your whitening treatment when they match up to avoid variances in shade between your teeth.

Is Teeth Whitening OK for sensitive teeth?

Yes, our teeth whitening gel is considered a medium strength gel with 22% carbamide peroxide and is ideal for sensitive mouths. Our product also contains Amorphous Calcium Phosphate with Potassium Nitrate and Fluoride enhancing whitening results while minimizing sensitivity and protects enamel.

Our Teeth Whitening Formula

We’ve tested several different formulas on the market today and Zoom NiteWhite ACP 22% is a popular at-home tooth whitening gel and one we’re most comfortable with its medium-strength. NiteWhite ACP 22% is a clinical-grade tooth whitening gel of 22% carbamide peroxide and is a more desirable formula for sensitive teeth than the 32%-35% products you see advertised elsewhere. The manufacturer also combines amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) with potassium nitrate and fluoride, which provides enhanced whitening without increased sensitivity. This ACP formulation is clinically proven to rebuild enamel, reduce tooth sensitivity by 30% and adds luster by re-mineralizing teeth. The NiteWhite ACP 22% is approved and accepted by the American Dental Association. Each shipment includes three 2.4 mL syringes of 22%-strength gel and three application tips. NiteWhite products come in double-barreled syringes. Each barrel houses a separate bleaching agent. Special syringe mixing tips activate these ingredients by blending them upon application to your tooth whitening trays. This keeps the gel fresh for approximately 12 months, according to the manufacturer