Between coffee, tea, and cola, completely avoiding substances that cause yellowed or stained teeth can be extremely difficult; however, having a great smile is incredibly important. Nearly one-third of Americans admit teeth are one of the first things they notice when meeting someone, and almost 75% of Americans admit to being more likely to trust someone with a great smile than someone with a good job, outfit, or car.

So, while keeping your smile bright and white is important, actually whitening your teeth can be a lot easier said than done. Store-bought white strips can be filled with questionable chemicals and substances that are harmful to your enamel or are too gentle to actually get the job done. Kiosks in the mall claim to whiten in under an hour, but rarely live up to their claims. So, what’s the safest, most effective way to whiten teeth? Whitening your teeth with your dentist.

Avoid Stains to See the Best Whitening Results

To a certain extent, stains are unavoidable, but the more discolored your teeth, the harder they are to whiten. If your teeth are very stained and yellow, it could take more treatments (and more money) in order to achieve your desired whiteness, so doing your best to stay away from stains will make the whitening process easier on you and your wallet.

One of the top (and most obvious) causes of tooth discoloration is the food and drink you consume on a daily basis. Tea, coffee, and wine are notorious for staining teeth. Frequent tobacco use, whether that be from cigarettes or chewing tobacco, also plays a large role in yellowing of teeth. Finally, one of the most controllable factors that affect the whiteness of your teeth is your dental hygiene. Poor dental hygiene, like not brushing and flossing every day, can be detrimental to your smile’s brightness. On the flip side, though, exemplary dental hygiene can do wonders for furthering the effectiveness of your tooth whitening routine.

Understand What Stains Cannot Be Whitened

Unfortunately, not all stains can be whitened using whitening professional treatments. Teeth whitening only works on surface stains caused by external factors, not on tooth discoloration caused by internal factors. Intrinsic stains, those caused by internal factors, is when the tooth’s inner layer (dentin) gets a yellow tint. Intrinsic stains can be caused by medication, old age, trauma, or illness. Additionally, whitening does not work on smiles with dental crowns, veneers, or fillings.

Professional Whitening at Cornerstone Family Dentistry in Nashville

Walking into a teeth whitening appointment can be intimidating, unless you know what to expect. With professional whitening, you will be sitting in a reclined chair for about an hour. Dental professionals will take measures to protect you gums and mouth from the laser lights used to whiten teeth, and will paint whitening gel onto your actual teeth. From there, the gel is applied and rinsed, then reapplied a designated number of times depending on the type of whitening chosen.

At Cornerstone Family Dentistry, we offer a wide range of whitening options to meet all needs and budgetary restrictions. Whether your budget is under $100 or over $200, Cornerstone is prepared to whiten smiles in and around the Nashville area.

Boost Whitening – $40

Our most affordable option, Boost Whitening will leave your teeth 1-2 shades lighter. Boost Whitening is a great starting point for those wanting to ease into professional whitening without spending a huge amount of money right off the bat. This is also used as a maintenance whitening at a cleaning appointment. For those who whiten regularly.  

Deluxe Whitening – $110

Cornerstone’s Deluxe Whitening option is a step up from our Boost Whitening. In-office and in just one hour, this teeth whitening package is the perfect option for anyone wanting more dramatic whitening results, without a huge time commitment. Deluxe Whitening is also perfect for special events — like a wedding — that call for a dazzling smile in a short amount of time.

At-Home Whitening Kit – $150

If carving out a few hours of your day to get to Cornerstone’s office for your appointment doesn’t sound ideal, our At-Home Whitening Kit offers a bright smile with the convenience of sitting on your own couch. Don’t worry about trading results for convenience — at-home whitening offers professional results without the hassle.

In-Office Hour Whitening with At-Home Whitening Kit – $250

If you need to pull out all the stops to brighten your smile, try our Deluxe Whitening package (one hour in-office whitening) paired with our At-Home Whitening Kit. With this you’ll receive our Deluxe Whitening in-office whitening treatment, plus our at-home teeth whitening supplies for an extra boost.

At-Home Refill Tubes – $30

If you’ve started at-home whitening, restocking your supplies doesn’t have to break the bank. Our At-Home Refill Tubes are extremely affordable, which means you can keep your smile as bright as possible from the comfort of your own home.

Whiten Your Teeth with Cornerstone Family Dentistry

At Cornerstone Family Dentistry in Nashville, we are ready to take care of all of your dental hygiene needs. Our bilingual staff is prepared to serve clients of all ages and backgrounds, making Cornerstone your premier provider of dental services in Middle Tennessee. Whether you are looking for a simple cleaning or braces and orthodontic treatment, Cornerstone Family Dentistry has you covered. Contact us with any questions regarding scheduling, or fill out our new patient paperwork today.

*Teeth whitening prices are subject to change. Please contact us for current prices.