Teeth whitening

Your teeth are a major component in the quality of your smile. Straight, white, bright, blemish-free teeth leave a great first impression. However, if your teeth are dulled and discolored, your smile suffers. The impression you leave may not be the one you want. With discolored teeth, you may also find yourself smiling less, your confidence diminished and covering your mouth when you do smile. At Smiles Cosmetic Dentistry by Dr. Shrenna Clifton, we can give you back your bright white teeth, restoring the beauty of your smile, with teeth whitening.

What causes discoloration?

The very outer layer of your teeth, the enamel layer, is exceptionally hard and very mineralized. It is also naturally bright white in color. Over time, tiny microfractures form in the enamel, a natural occurrence as a result of daily use. These microfractures make it easier for your teeth to collect stains, pigments and other debris, all of which dull the color of your teeth. There are several factors that can contribute to discoloration, including:

•	What you eat and drink, such as coffee, red wine, and curries.
•	Smoking, and other tobacco products.
•	Certain medications, such as some asthma medications, blood pressure medications, and some antibiotics.
•	Your age.

What about over the counter whitening?

There are countless numbers of over the counter whitening products available at just about any store that carries oral care products. These products include such things as toothpastes, mouthwashes, strips, gels, pens and more. While affordable, these products rarely achieve the results they advertise. It can also take several weeks before you even notice a difference.

Chairside Whitening

There are two types of professional whitening. The first is chairside whitening. This whitening procedure is done in our office and takes only about an hour of your time. After we clean your teeth, we place a lip retractor in your mouth and apply a protective gel to your gums. We then apply the whitening agent, which contains either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as the active ingredient. Next, we shine a special blue light over your mouth, which is designed to break down the active ingredient so that it can go to work. The oxygen bubbles that form as a result of the breakdown of peroxide enter into the enamel of the teeth and attach to stains and pigments, bleaching them away. After an hour, the light is removed. Chairside whitening can generally whiten your teeth up to 8 shades, and results are noticeable immediately.

Take Home Trays

If you prefer to whiten your teeth from the comfort of your own home, we can provide you with take-home trays. The trays are made from impressions of your mouth, ensuring a proper fit to achieve the best results possible. We supply you with the trays and the whitening agent, along with instructions for use. Trays are meant to be worn for 4 to 8 hours a day, or overnight, for a specific number of days. We will determine the number of days based on your needs and goals. Using trays can whiten your teeth up to 6 shades, and results are noticeable in about a week.

Are the results permanent?

While whitening can restore the beauty of your smile, it is not a permanent solution. The same factors that caused your discoloration in the first place can discolor your teeth again. There are some things you can do to prolong the results of your whitening.

•	Avoid, or at least limit, staining foods and beverages.
•	Drink plenty of water.
•	Drink staining beverages through a straw.
•	Quit smoking, or using any type of tobacco product.
•	Maintain a good oral hygiene routine, complete with daily brushing and flossing along with regular dental cleanings and exams.

With the bright white color restored to your teeth, your smile is greatly improved, and everyone will take notice. Call Smiles by Dr. Shrenna Clifton today at (470) 400-2001 for more information and to schedule your appointment today.

What our patients are saying about us.

"I love my new smile and get lots of compliments on how straight and bright my teeth look! It only took two appointments and no shots, Dr. Clifton, and her staff made it easy for me." ~ Ashley
"Dr. Clifton and staff are very professional. Love how friendly everybody was. I would highly recommend this place!" ~ Fred

"I have used Dr. Clifton for over 12 years and would not consider seeing any other dentist. She is caring, knowledgeable and gentle with her work. Her staff is professional, and the facility is very clean." ~ Allen

More Testimonials

Smiles

Cosmetic Dentistry

By Dr. Shrenna Clifton

Contact us today

State-of-the-art dental care for your whole family.

Office

350 Newnan Crossing Bypass
Newnan GA 30265

Call: (470) 400-2001