Professional Teeth Whitening in Loveland, OH

What Is Professional Teeth Whitening?

Professional teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure that uses peroxide-based bleaching agents to remove stains and lighten tooth color. Administered by a licensed dentist, the treatment can brighten teeth by several shades in a single session. Unlike over-the-counter products, professional whitening uses higher concentrations of active ingredients and custom application methods that protect your gums while maximizing results. The procedure is safe, effective, and can be customized for patients with sensitive teeth.

Professional teeth whitening options usually include in-office treatment and customized take-home whitening kits.

Causes of Discolored Teeth

Discoloration of teeth can occur due to various factors, including:

• Food and Beverages: Consumption of highly pigmented foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, red wine, and certain fruits like berries can stain the enamel of the teeth over time.
• Tobacco Use: Smoking or using tobacco products can lead to stubborn stains on the teeth, contributing to discoloration.
• Poor Oral Hygiene: Inadequate brushing and flossing can allow plaque and tartar buildup, which can cause yellowing of the teeth.
• Aging: As we age, the outer layer of enamel on our teeth naturally wears down, revealing the yellowish dentin underneath, leading to the appearance of discolored teeth.
• Medications: Certain medications, such as antibiotics like tetracycline, antihistamines, and antipsychotic drugs, can cause intrinsic discoloration of the teeth.
• Dental Trauma: Trauma to the teeth, such as a blow to the mouth, can damage the enamel and result in discoloration.
• Genetics: Some individuals may have a genetic predisposition to tooth discoloration, making them more prone to yellow or grayish teeth regardless of their oral hygiene habits.

Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening

Choosing professional whitening over store-bought products delivers advantages that go far beyond a brighter smile.

• Fast, Visible Results: Most patients see noticeable improvement after the first treatment, with full results appearing within two to six weeks, depending on your starting shade.
• Longer-Lasting Brightness: Professional treatments penetrate deeper into enamel and typically last two to three years, compared to weeks or months for drugstore products.
• Safer for Your Teeth and Gums: Custom trays and professional supervision minimize contact with gum tissue, reducing irritation and protecting your oral health throughout the process.
• More Predictable Outcomes: Dr. Kreimer can assess your teeth beforehand and give you realistic expectations about how many shades lighter you’ll achieve.
• Customized for Sensitivity: If you have sensitive teeth, we can adjust the formula strength, application time, and provide desensitizing treatments before and after whitening.
• Boosts Self-Confidence: A whiter smile makes you feel more attractive and confident in social situations, job interviews, and everyday interactions.
• Reverses Years of Staining: Professional-strength peroxide breaks down deep-set stains from coffee, tobacco, medications, and aging that surface treatments can’t touch.
• Complements Other Cosmetic Work: Whitening is often the first step in a smile makeover, creating a bright canvas before veneers, bonding, or other cosmetic procedures.

Call our Loveland dentists at (513) 677-3656 to continue exploring the benefits of teeth whitening.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

Most people can safely whiten their teeth, but some situations require special consideration or alternative approaches.

• Adults with healthy teeth and gums who want to brighten natural tooth enamel and remove surface or internal staining
• Patients with yellow-toned discoloration respond best, while gray or brown tones may require additional treatments or alternatives
• People committed to good oral hygiene who brush twice daily and visit the dentist regularly for cleanings
• Those with realistic expectations who understand whitening lightens natural teeth but doesn’t change the color of crowns, veneers, or fillings
• Non-pregnant, non-nursing patients, as the safety of whitening agents during pregnancy hasn’t been fully established
• Patients without active tooth decay or gum disease, since these conditions must be treated before whitening can begin
• Anyone who isn’t allergic to peroxide or other ingredients commonly used in whitening formulas

Want to know if you’re a candidate for teeth whitening? Schedule a consultation at our Loveland practice by calling (513) 677-3656. Dr. Kreimer will evaluate your teeth and recommend the best whitening approach for your needs.

The Teeth Whitening Process

We’ve designed our whitening process to be comfortable, convenient, and deliver the results you’re looking for.

1. Initial Consultation and Oral Exam

Dr. Kreimer examines your teeth and gums to check for cavities, cracks, or gum disease that need treatment first. He’ll discuss your whitening goals and determine which method will give you the best results.

2. Professional Cleaning

We remove plaque, tartar, and surface stains so the whitening gel can penetrate evenly. This step prevents spotty results and helps you achieve a uniform shade across all teeth.

3. Custom Tray Fabrication

For take-home treatments, we take impressions of your upper and lower teeth. These create perfectly fitted trays that hold the gel against your teeth while keeping it off your gums.

4. Shade Recording

We photograph your teeth and record their current shade using a standardized color guide. This lets you see exactly how many shades lighter you’ve achieved when treatment is complete.

5. Whitening Application

For Take-Home Treatment: You’ll receive your custom trays and professional whitening gel with detailed instructions. Apply a small amount of gel to each tray, insert them over your teeth, and wear for the prescribed time—usually 30–60 minutes daily.

For In-Office Treatment: We apply a protective barrier to your gums, then coat your teeth with high-concentration whitening gel. An LED light may be used to activate the gel and accelerate the whitening process. You’ll relax in the chair for 60–90 minutes while the gel works.

6. Progress Monitoring

Dr. Kreimer checks your progress at scheduled intervals, looking for even whitening and any signs of sensitivity. We can adjust the treatment plan if needed to ensure optimal results and comfort.

7. Final Results and Touch-Up Plan

Once you’ve reached your target shade, we’ll provide guidance on maintaining your results and schedule any necessary touch-up treatments to keep your smile bright.

Caring for Your Whitening Results

Maintaining your teeth whitening doesn’t require dramatic lifestyle changes—just some smart daily habits.

• Brush twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to remove surface stains before they set into enamel
• Rinse with water after consuming staining foods or drinks like coffee, tea, red wine, berries, or tomato sauce
• Use a straw when drinking dark beverages to minimize contact with the front surfaces of your teeth
• Quit smoking or using tobacco products, which cause stubborn yellow and brown stains that return quickly after whitening
• Visit our office every six months for professional cleanings to remove buildup and keep your teeth looking their brightest
• Apply touch-up treatments as recommended, typically once or twice yearly if you regularly consume staining substances
• Avoid extremely hot or cold foods immediately after whitening, as your teeth may be temporarily more sensitive for a few days

Cost & Financing for Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening costs make it one of the most affordable cosmetic dental treatments, and we offer flexible payment options to fit any budget. The exact cost depends on which treatment method you choose and how many sessions you need to reach your desired shade. Take-home kits typically range from $300–$500, while in-office power whitening sessions generally cost $500–$800.

• Treatment method and gel strength affect the price, with faster in-office options costing more than gradual take-home systems
• Initial tooth color and staining severity determine how many applications you’ll need to achieve your goal shade
• Insurance rarely covers cosmetic whitening, but you can use flexible spending accounts (FSA) or health savings accounts (HSA) to pay
• We offer financing through CareCredit and similar programs, allowing you to split the cost into affordable monthly payments
• Touch-up treatments cost significantly less than initial whitening since you’ll only need a small amount of gel and already have custom trays

Important Considerations & Alternatives to Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is safe and effective for most patients, but there are a few things you should know before starting treatment. Results vary based on your natural tooth color and the type of staining you have. Yellow tones respond best to whitening, while grayish stains caused by certain medications may not lighten as dramatically. Existing dental work, like crowns, veneers, and dental fillings, won’t change color, so you may need to replace them after whitening to match your new shade.

Some patients experience temporary tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods during treatment. This usually resolves within a few days of finishing whitening. If you have extremely sensitive teeth, receding gums, or worn enamel, Dr. Kreimer may recommend alternative treatments instead.

Common Alternatives to Teeth Whitening

• Porcelain Veneers: Thin ceramic shells bonded to the front of teeth can mask severe discoloration while also correcting chips, gaps, and minor misalignment
• Dental Bonding: Tooth-colored resin applied to individual stained teeth provides an affordable solution for small areas of discoloration
• Dental Crowns: Full-coverage restorations work well for badly stained or damaged teeth that wouldn’t respond to whitening alone

Possible Side Effects

• Tooth sensitivity to temperature that typically resolves within 24–72 hours after treatment ends
• Gum irritation if whitening gel contacts soft tissue, though custom trays minimize this risk significantly
• Uneven results if you have existing fillings or crowns that don’t whiten, along with natural teeth
• Temporary throat irritation if gel is accidentally swallowed during application

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will my teeth whitening results last?

Professional whitening typically lasts two to three years with proper care. How long your results last depends on your diet, oral hygiene habits, and whether you use tobacco. Patients who regularly consume coffee, tea, or red wine may want to do touch-up treatments every six to 12 months to maintain their brightest smile.

Will whitening damage my tooth enamel?

No. Professional teeth whitening doesn’t harm enamel when performed correctly under dental supervision. The peroxide in whitening gel temporarily opens pores in your enamel to remove stains, but these pores close again naturally within a few hours. Some patients experience temporary sensitivity, but this isn’t a sign of damage.

Can I whiten my teeth if I have crowns or veneers?

Yes, but the whitening gel only affects natural tooth enamel. Crowns, veneers, fillings, and bonding won’t change color. If these restorations are visible when you smile, you may need to replace them after whitening so they match your newly brightened natural teeth.

Why is professional whitening better than drugstore products?

Professional whitening uses higher concentrations of peroxide that penetrate deeper into enamel, delivering faster and longer-lasting results. Custom trays ensure even application and protect your gums from irritation. Drugstore products use weaker formulas that often cause sensitivity while producing inconsistent, short-lived results.

Is teeth whitening safe during pregnancy?

Most dentists recommend waiting until after pregnancy and nursing to whiten your teeth. While there’s no definitive evidence that whitening harms developing babies, not enough research exists to confirm its safety. It’s better to postpone cosmetic treatments until you’re no longer pregnant or breastfeeding.

What causes teeth to become discolored in the first place?

Teeth stain from multiple sources. Coffee, tea, red wine, and dark berries leave pigmented deposits on enamel. Smoking and tobacco use create stubborn brown stains. As you age, enamel naturally thins and reveals the yellowish dentin layer underneath. Certain antibiotics taken during childhood, like tetracycline, can cause permanent internal discoloration that’s harder to treat.

How white will my teeth get?

Most patients lighten by three to eight shades, depending on their starting color and staining severity. Yellow-toned teeth respond best, while teeth with gray or brown undertones may lighten less dramatically. Dr. Kreimer will give you realistic expectations during your consultation based on your specific situation.

Can whitening fix all types of tooth discoloration?

Whitening works extremely well for extrinsic stains on the tooth surface and some intrinsic stains within the enamel. However, discoloration caused by trauma, certain medications, or excessive fluoride may not respond fully to bleaching. In these cases, veneers or bonding may be better options for achieving the bright smile you want.

Get Your Brightest Smile at Michael Kreimer, DDS

You don’t have to live with stained, yellow teeth. Professional whitening can take years off your smile and give you the confidence to laugh, speak, and smile freely in any situation. Dr. Kreimer and our caring team make the process comfortable, affordable, and remarkably effective.

Call (513) 677-3656 today to schedule your teeth whitening consultation at our Loveland dental office. We’re proud to help patients from Mason, Reading, and Landen achieve the bright, beautiful smiles they deserve.