Teeth Whitening in Oakton, VA

Teeth Whitening Oakton VA

Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic treatment – plenty of people want to remove stains and show off a brighter smile. Our premier cosmetic dentistry practice in Oakton offers several safe and effective options for teeth whitening.

LVI-trained dentist Dr. Michael Chung is here to help brighten your teeth so you can smile confidently. Contact our office today at 703-319-6990 to learn more. Softouch Dental Care proudly serves Oakton, Vienna, McLean, and nearby areas of Northern Virginia.

IN-OFFICE TOOTH WHITENING WITH ZOOM!

Dr. Chung’s in-office teeth whitening treatment uses the Phillips Zoom! tooth whitening system. It can whiten teeth by up to eight shades with minimal sensitivity. Patients love that they can be in and out of our office in just over an hour.

  1. First, Dr. Chung applies a protective barrier to shield your gums. 
  2. He then applies professional-strength whitening gel to your teeth.
  3. The gel is activated with a specialized LED light. 
  4. He repeats this process a few times to get optimal results. 
Teeth Whitening Vienna VA

After the treatment, we may apply a desensitizing gel to reduce any temporary sensitivity. You’ll leave the office with a noticeably brighter smile – up to eight shades whiter!

WHAT CAUSES TOOTH DISCOLORATION?

Throughout your lifetime, activities like smoking, heavy coffee drinking, eating dark-colored foods, and poor dental hygiene can dull your smile.

Over time, substances can penetrate the porous surface of your enamel, allowing stains to settle into the deeper layers of the tooth. The natural aging process also causes enamel to thin, revealing the yellowish dentin underneath.

The Zoom! whitening system restores your teeth to their natural, youthful appearance and gives you the confidence to smile again. 

BENEFITS OF ZOOM! TEETH WHITENING

There are many benefits to teeth whitening with Zoom!, including:

  • Instant and long-lasting results
  • Fast and easy treatment
  • No pain or downtime
  • Safe and gentle
  • Administered by a trained professional
  • More effective than other whitening systems

CUSTOMIZED TAKE-HOME KITS

Teeth Whitening McLean VA

If you’d rather whiten your teeth on your own time, we can give you a kit with a custom-made pair of trays that fit your upper and lower teeth. The kit will include:

  • A professional-strength gel
  • A shade strip to mark your before and after colors
  • Some de-sensitizing gel
  • Several syringes of whitening gel
  • An instruction booklet

You’ll be amazed at the change in your smile after using this kit daily for several weeks. Whether your teeth whitening is done in-office or with a take-home kit, you’ll have plenty of reasons to smile.

Visit our tooth whitening FAQ page.

TEETH WHITENING AND TOOTH SENSITIVITY

The bleaching agents that cosmetic dentists use in tooth whitening contain hydrogen peroxide, which can irritate the mouth’s soft tissues. To prevent this, Dr. Chung will keep the bleaching agent from reaching your gums and lips. The whitener will only touch your teeth.

If you have sensitive teeth, you may experience increased sensitivity during an in-office Zoom! tooth whitening procedure. If this discomfort is too much, Dr. Chung will stop your treatment and apply a de-sensitizing gel, which will also be included in your take-home whitening kit. After treatment, some sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages may remain, but this sensitivity will dissipate eventually.

Zoom Teeth Whitening Oakton VA

THE DANGERS OF OVER-THE-COUNTER WHITENING PRODUCTS

Many of the negative side effects you hear about occur when patients use store-bought whitening treatments instead of professional treatments by trained cosmetic dentists.

Enamel-Damaging Gels

Most store-bought whitening gels contain a combination of hydrogen peroxide and different acids at concentrations that can be damaging. Without professional supervision, you could accidentally expose your teeth too long to these chemicals, eventually stripping away your teeth’s protective enamel and revealing the yellow dentin layer beneath.

Abrasive Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpastes often contain abrasive ingredients that can gradually damage your tooth enamel. As the enamel thins and the yellow dentin layer underneath begins to show through more, store-bought whitening products will gradually make your teeth’s discoloration worse, not better.

Ill-fitting Whitening Trays

Whitening trays that come with most over-the-counter whitening treatments aren’t custom-molded to fit your teeth. They may allow the harsh solutions in the bleaching agent to spill over onto your gum tissue or potentially enter your stomach, leading to irritation or digestive discomfort.

TIPS TO PROLONG TEETH WHITENING EFFECTS

After you successfully brighten your teeth with our professional whitening treatments, Dr. Chung recommends these tips to keep your smile looking its best:

  • Avoid stain-causing foods and beverages like soda, coffee, tea, red wine, and dark berries.
  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily to remove food particles that stain teeth over time.
  • Stay hydrated and rinse your mouth with water to help wash away food and beverages that can stain your teeth.
  • Quit smoking or using tobacco products, as tobacco is one of the leading causes of teeth discoloration. 
  • Schedule regular touch-ups with us to keep your smile bright.

WHY CHOOSE SOFTOUCH DENTAL?

We know that visiting the dentist can feel overwhelming, so we've made it our mission to create a warm, welcoming experience at Softouch Dental. Dr. Michael Chung sees only a few patients a day to give everyone the time and attention they deserve. With comfort amenities like NuCalm™ relaxation headphones, massage chairs, and cozy blankets, we aim to make your visit feel more like a spa day than a dental appointment. 

Dr. Chung has been serving the Oakton, Vienna, and McLean areas for over 20 years, combining his expertise in cosmetic and neuromuscular dentistry to create stunning, healthy smiles. An LVI-trained specialist, he’s passionate about providing the best care possible, using the latest technology to ensure your results are beautiful and long-lasting. Dr. Chung and the rest of our staff at Softouch Dental Care will always put your comfort, health, and satisfaction first. 

TEETH WHITENING QUESTIONS

Why Can’t I Use a Store-Bought Tooth Whitening Product?

You can, but don’t expect dramatic or consistent results. The store-bought kits have all-purpose trays, which almost certainly will not fit your unique teeth. That means the whitening agent will be in contact with your teeth in an off-and-on fashion, giving you patchy results. The whitening gel will also contain a weaker active agent than what Dr. Chung can provide for you. 

And don’t expect any results at all from “whitening” toothpaste. These toothpastes can actually make your teeth more yellow in the long run because they have abrasive ingredients, like baking soda, which gradually scrape off your white enamel.

How Soon After Whitening Can I Eat or Drink Normally?

It’s best to avoid foods and drinks that could stain your teeth, like coffee, red wine, and berries, for at least 24 hours after treatment. Dr. Chung will provide a list of foods to avoid during this period to help maximize your results.

Does Tooth Whitening Hurt?

Not typically, although some people have extra sensitive teeth and might feel some discomfort. If you have an in-office tooth whitening procedure, Dr. Chung will stop the procedure if you are feeling uncomfortable. We can apply a desensitizing gel to neutralize the effect of the whitening gel.

If you have a take-home kit, Dr. Chung will ask which strength of gel you’d like: mild, moderate, or strong. You can choose. The kit will contain a little tube of desensitizing agent in case you feel any discomfort. You can use that in the two trays for a day or so instead of the whitening gel.

Is Teeth Whitening Safe for Pregnant or Nursing Women?

It’s generally recommended to avoid teeth whitening during pregnancy or while nursing, as the safety of whitening agents during these periods is not fully established. Dr. Chung can provide alternative options for maintaining a bright smile during this time.

How White Could My Teeth Become After Tooth Whitening? Is It Worth Doing?

They would typically become six or eight shades whiter whether you have an in-office treatment or a take-home kit. You will be given a shade strip with the take-home kit, and you can mark where your teeth are before treatment and where they are after. In an office whitening treatment, Dr. Chung will take before-and-after photos. The difference will be quite obvious.

The only teeth that don’t respond dramatically are those with very deep staining that the whitening agent can’t reach. Those deep stains form as your teeth develop in childhood, often as a side effect of a drug such as tetracycline. If you have this type of staining, you could consider getting porcelain veneers to whiten your smile.

How Long Will My Teeth Stay White After the Whitening Treatment?

That will depend on (a) your daily dental hygiene and (b) your daily foods and drinks. If you drink a lot of coffee or red wine, for instance, these pigmented drinks will stain your teeth more quickly than if you drink them only occasionally. The same goes for any strongly pigmented food, such as blackberries or blueberries. 

However, if you brush your teeth well after each meal or snack and floss daily, you have much higher chances of keeping your teeth white.

Why Is a Light Used for the In-Office Whitening Treatment?

The light heats the gel to activate the whitening agent and speed up its work. We’ll first put a protective coating on your gums and lips so the light will only affect the gel. The light is what makes the in-house treatment so fast and effective.

Can I Whiten My Teeth if I Have Dental Restorations?

Teeth whitening treatments only work on natural teeth, so restorations like crowns, veneers, or fillings will not change color. Dr. Chung can advise on the best approach to match your teeth color with existing restorations.

TRUST DR. CHUNG WITH YOUR TEETH WHITENING

If you want to brighten your smile safely and effectively, don’t take chances with your dental health by using store-bought tooth whitening treatments or toothpastes. 

Instead, call Softouch Dental Care at 703-319-6990 to schedule a consultation with experienced Northern Virginia cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Chung. He will help you avoid negative teeth whitening side effects and get the beautiful results you desire. We welcome patients from Oakton, Vienna, McLean, and nearby areas of Northern Virginia.

Schedule A Consultation

Ready to book an appointment with a dentist in Oakton, VA? Please contact us today!

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What Happens in a Consultation?

  • 01.

    Get to know Dr. Chung.

  • 02.

    Help him understand you and your goals.

  • 03.

    Learn about his services and specialties.

“Dr. Chung is the best, he has cared for me for over 15 years. He is always available. He has been attentive and taken care of all my issues before they were painful or bad. He has helped me with a good program for taking care of my teeth and they are beautiful. I receive complements about my pretty teeth and smile. The staff is attentive to detail they have prevented the things we dread. I have great respect for his care and his opinions and so happy to have found him.”

– Patricia Debearn

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Location Map: 2946 Chain Bridge Road Oakton, VA 22124

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