Professional Teeth Whitening North Mankato, MN

Professional teeth whitening is a safe, comfortable procedure that brightens and enhances the appearance of people’s smiles. This cosmetic dental procedure can effectively remove surface stains caused by foods, beverages, aging, and more. People who receive this procedure can achieve a smile that is several shades whiter and brighter.

If you want to enhance your smile’s appearance, professional teeth whitening may be the right option for you. We provide professional teeth whitening at North Mankato Family Dentistry in North Mankato and the surrounding area. Call us today at (507) 318-4120 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.

Request An Appointment

    Understanding Teeth Whitening

    As people age, their teeth often become discolored. Staining food and beverages, nicotine and tobacco use, and certain prescription medications can cause teeth to appear yellow and less healthy. These stains can be extrinsic or intrinsic, causing the yellow dentin beneath tooth enamel to show through minuscule cracks on the tooth’s surface.

    Fortunately, professional teeth whitening can help teeth become three to eight shades whiter than before. Teeth whitening can provide optimal results in a short amount of time when performed by a professional. Having professional care and consultation is the safest and most effective way to achieve a whiter, more beautiful smile.

    “Fortunately, professional teeth whitening can help teeth become three to eight shades whiter than before.”

    Candidacy for Teeth Whitening

    Professional teeth whitening is a viable treatment option for many people. However, patients should have a consultation to determine whether they are an ideal candidate for this treatment. Anyone who is allergic to peroxide, the whitening agent, should not get this treatment. We also do not recommend teeth whitening for pregnant or lactating women.

    Candidates should be in good oral health, without gum disease or worn down enamel. Cavities should get treated before people can consider getting their teeth whitened. Teeth whitening works best for people with yellow teeth, but some patients with brown teeth have also received positive results. Gray or purple discoloration indicates trauma or decay, which cannot be fixed by teeth whitening.

    “Anyone who is allergic to peroxide, the whitening agent, should not get this treatment.”

    Peroxide in Teeth Whitening

    According to the U.S. Library of Medicine, teeth whitening uses hydrogen peroxide to cause a chemical reaction that removes stains. Hydrogen peroxide has been an ingredient in teeth-whitening and oral care products for decades. It is the primary active ingredient in many at-home and professional whitening products.

    This chemical compound reacts with and oxidizes the double bonds between the stain and the tooth’s surface to lighten discoloration. Over-the-counter whitening products use 3 to 20% peroxide-based bleaching agents. Professional teeth whitening is more effective because the bleaching solution is much stronger, containing 15% to 43% peroxide.

    “Professional teeth whitening is more effective because the bleaching solution is much stronger, containing 15% to 43% peroxide.”

    Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Professional Teeth Whitening in North Mankato, MN

    Laser Teeth Whitening

    Laser teeth whitening can brighten teeth by up to 10 shades. This treatment involves spreading a bleaching agent on teeth and using a special laser that generates heat to enhance its effectiveness. This speeds up the bleaching process for quick and dramatic results.

    Although laser whitening is not long, it is precise. This treatment should only be performed by a licensed professional. Not all patients qualify for this procedure, so it is essential to speak with our team to determine whether this service is right for them.

    “Not all patients qualify for this procedure, so it is essential to speak with our team to determine whether this service is right for them.”

    Cautions Against Teeth Whitening At Home

    While teeth whitening is also possible at home through over-the-counter kits, it is important to approach with caution. Some of these whitening kits contain questionable ingredients that can do more harm than good. While do-it-yourself teeth whitening at home sounds convenient, many of these tips can cause serious problems and do not produce effective results.

    Since our team supervises professional teeth whitening, we can use a stronger bleaching solution. We can also ensure that sensitive gums do not become more irritated while producing safe and reliable results. Ultimately, professional teeth whitening produces the most precise and effective results.

    “Ultimately, professional teeth whitening produces the most precise and effective results.”

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Q. Is professional teeth whitening comfortable?

    A. Most patients experience no pain during the whitening procedure. Some sensitivity for a few days following the treatment is to be suspected. People can use over-the-counter pain medications to minimize discomfort.

    Q. How long does professional teeth whitening take?

    A. The length of the procedure varies depending upon the extent of the patient’s discoloration. In-office procedures last for up to one hour. Dentist-supervised whitening outside of the office may take up to several weeks.

    Q. How can I care for my whitened teeth?

    A. Proper dental hygiene is essential for preserving the color of whitened teeth. Patients should brush their teeth and floss twice a day. They should also avoid nicotine products and foods and beverages with dark colorations.

    Q. How long does professional teeth whitening last?

    A. The length of the teeth whitening effects will depend on the varying bleaching concentration and the whitening method. The average bleaching results can last anywhere from six months to three years. People can extend the whitening effects by taking good care of their teeth.

    Q. Will professional teeth whitening damage my enamel?

    A. Professional teeth whitening does not damage or harm tooth enamel. Enamel is one of the hardest tissues in the human body. Professional supervision can ensure that the least amount of damage occurs while whitening teeth.

    Quality Dental Services Can Transform Your Smile

    By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with treatment options.

    QR code image for Professional Teeth Whitening in North Mankato, MN

    Scan here to view this page, Professional Teeth Whitening, on mobile

    Navigation image for our Dental Checkup page
    Navigation image for our Dentures and Partial Dentures page
    Navigation image for our Root Canal Treatment page

    Definition of Cosmetic Dentistry Terminology

    Bleachorexia
    Bleachorexia is when people continue to abuse teeth whitening solutions without consulting professionals, causing significant damage to their enamel and gums in the process.
    Carbamide Peroxide
    Carbamide peroxide is a solution that contains hydrogen peroxide and can help to whiten teeth.
    Cosmetic Dentistry
    Cosmetic dentistry is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily the function) of a person’s teeth, gums and/or bite.
    Deeper Teeth Stains
    Deeper teeth stains are stains that require professional oral health services and can result from certain foods, beverages or improper oral hygiene.
    Dentin Hypersensitivity
    Dentin hypersensitivity is when the enamel wears down on the tooth enough that the dentin faces exposure and will cause great levels of pain when a person applies pressure to the tooth or drinks hot/cold beverages.
    Dentist
    A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
    Hydrogen Peroxide
    Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound in teeth whitening solutions that patients use to whiten the shade of their teeth.
    Relief ACP
    Relief ACP stands for amorphous calcium phosphate, which helps to relieve the pain in sensitive teeth in a gel form.
    Stained Dentin
    Stained dentin can result from certain foods and beverages with a lack of proper brushing. Dental professionals can provide whitening treatments to brighten the teeth.
    Surface Enamel
    The surface enamel is the hard outer shell that protects the dentin and pulp of the teeth. The enamel is the surface that people see when one smiles.
    Surface Teeth Stains
    While surface teeth stains can be inevitable with age, certain foods and beverages will only promote discoloration and faded teeth.
    Teeth Whitening Concentrate
    Teeth whitening concentrate is the bleaching agent that whitens the shade of teeth, which is more effective from a professional and not a general store product.

    Call Us Today

    Professional teeth whitening is a safe and effective way to achieve a whiter, brighter smile. Our team at North Mankato Family Dentistry can help. Call us today at 507-318-4120 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.

    Helpful Related Links


    About our business and website security

    • North Mankato Family Dentistry was established in 1998.
    • We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa
    • We serve patients from the following counties: Nicollet County
    • We serve patients from the following cities: North Mankato, Mankato, Nicollet, Saint Peter, Lake Crystal and Waseca
    • Norton Safe Web. View Details
    • Trend Micro Site Safety Center. View Details
    QR code image to open directions to North Mankato Family Dentistry in North Mankato, MN on mobile

    Scan here to open directions to North Mankato Family Dentistry on mobile

    Back to top of Professional Teeth Whitening

    QR code for Professional Teeth Whitening