Teeth Whitening - McCullough Dental

Sparkling white teeth are ideal. They are showcased in magazines, movies, and TV shows on our favorite models and actors. It can seem impossible to keep your teeth so white on your own, yet these people make it seem so easy to have a great smile—their secret is professional teeth whitening.

That is where McCullough Dental comes in. We have professional teeth whitening systems such as Life-Like that can help you achieve a movie-star smile in seemingly no time at all! Schedule a consultation with our dental team to find out more about professional teeth whitening and all of the ways it will benefit your smile.

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Teeth Whitening from a Bakersfield Dentist

At McCullough Dental, we offer high-quality, prescription-based whitening solutions that will brighten your teeth after a few uses. The Life-Like gel solution is perfectly safe and very effective in removing stains caused by wear, alcohol, tobacco, and coffee.

The solution sits in a whitening tray that fits snugly over your teeth. You will leave the solution on for a specified number of hours—which Dr. McCullough will prescribe depending on your desired shade of white—and then repeat the process over a few days. Soon, you will see a notable improvement in the color of your teeth.

The best part? You can complete the whole process from the comfort of your own home! Life-Like teeth whitening take-home kits offer professional quality with at-home convenience.

Take your smile to the next level with professional and effective teeth whitening; call our office today to get started!

Understanding Your Dental Needs

When it comes to your overall confidence and how you view yourself, it is important to be realistic. Especially when it could affect your oral health. When you use over-the-counter teeth whitening kits you expose your smile to harmful ingredients, uneven results, and enamel damage.

Whether you want a brighter smile for family photos, a high school reunion, or increased overall confidence, you deserve lasting results that are safe for your smile. Professional teeth whitening can give you the smile you have always wanted, without sacrificing comfort or convenience.

If you’re on the hunt for a dental dream team, look no further than Dr.McCullough and his crew. This humble doc goes above and beyond to make his patients feel seen, heard, and cared for. The front staff is equally welcoming and immediately greets you upon your arrival. There’s no waiting around to be acknowledged in this office!

– Amber

Causes of Teeth Staining

Before a patient undergoes teeth whitening treatments, it is important to understand what causes teeth to lose their bright, white shine in the first place. There are several factors that contribute to tooth discoloration:

Food and Drinks: Coffee, tea, red wine, and foods like berries, curry, and soy sauce can all stain your teeth over time. These substances contain pigments and acids that can gradually affect the color of your enamel.
Tobacco Use: Both smoking and chewing tobacco can lead to yellow or brown stains on your teeth, as the nicotine and tar from tobacco can seep into the enamel.
Aging: As we age, the outer layer of enamel on our teeth naturally thins, exposing the yellowish dentin underneath.
Medications: Some antibiotics, antihistamines, and blood pressure medications can cause intrinsic stains that are harder to treat with over-the-counter whitening products.
Genetics: Your natural tooth color can vary based on genetics, with some people naturally having brighter or darker teeth than others.

Solutions That Enhance Lives

Teeth whitening does a lot more than give you a whiter smile. It can improve your quality of life, as well. Have you consciously or subconsciously covered your teeth while talking, eating, or laughing because of stains or discoloration? If so, teeth whitening will benefit your day-to-day interactions by giving you complete confidence in your smile.

With personalized whitening kits, you can get the long-lasting, bright smile you want in a short amount of time. Our dental team will work with you to create a treatment plan that accommodates your needs, goals, and dental health for stunning results!

Why Choose Us?

McCullough Dental believes that every patient should be treated like family and every treatment should be tailored to each unique smile. That’s why our dental office combines experience, expertise, and advanced dental technology to help our patients reach their dental goals.

To get your personalized treatment plan, schedule an initial appointment with us and boost your confidence today!

What Are the Treatment Options?

In-Office Care

During your appointment, our dental team will discuss your smile goals and evaluate your current smile needs. We will use this information to create a personalized treatment plan.

Unlike store-bought kits, our dentist will provide you with your timeline and projected results. If at-home style isn’t for you, you can receive the same whitening treatment in our office at the hands of a professional.

Benefits of In-Office Teeth Whitening include:

Immediate Results: Achieve a noticeably whiter smile in just one visit.
Safe and Controlled: Dr. McCullough will monitor the process to ensure the treatment is effective and safe for your teeth.
Long-Lasting Effects: Results from in-office whitening can tend to last longer than at-home treatments.

Take-Home Kits

We also offer personalized take-home whitening kits to ensure that you receive comfortable and convenient care. These kits give you the freedom to pick your schedule and whiten when it works for you. Like our in-office treatments, the take-home kits use professional, dentist-approved solutions that are specific to your smile.

Even though our take-home whitening kits are applied outside our office, they are prescription-strength and dentist-approved. With prescription kits, you can know that you are getting quality treatment that is safe to use. If you do notice any irritation during or after your treatment, our Bakersfield dentist is here to help.

Benefits of At-Home Whitening include:

Convenient: Perform the treatment in the comfort of your home.
Custom Trays: The custom-fitted trays ensure an even application of whitening gel, minimizing the risk of gum irritation and uneven results.
Gradual Results: While the results take longer to appear than in-office whitening, they are long-lasting and effective.

BENEFITS OF TEETH WHITENING

We want you to look and feel your best, so we will work closely with you to help you safely achieve that pearly smile you have always wanted. Our teeth whitening treatment offers several benefits:

Convenience: We will provide you with a kit that includes trays and a whitening solution, along with information about the frequency and duration of use. You will get to apply the solution when it is most convenient for you—such as at night right before bed.
Confidence: Many of our patients are self-conscious about their smiles before they receive the whitening treatment, but teeth whitening can improve your self-confidence! After you have been using the solution for a few days, you will notice a remarkable difference in your smile (and probably your mood too!).
Quality: With our kits, you get the assurance of knowing that your whitening solution is dentist-approved. Our dentist will guide you through how to use the solution, and he will be there to help if you experience any discomfort or irritation during treatment.
Safety: Our bleaching gels have a neutral pH, so they will not damage the tooth. This way, your teeth can be whitened with very minimal sensitivity. Similarly, the gels and trays are designed for your maximum comfort and satisfaction.

Quality dentistry is our highest priority, and we love a good aesthetic, too. Our Life-like teeth whitening treatment checks both of those boxes. With this treatment, you can have excellent service and a beautiful smile!

Frequently Asked Questions About Teeth Whitening

Why Shouldn’t I Use Over-the-Counter Whitening Kits?

You might have seen teeth whitening kits at the local pharmacy. Though these kits may be affordable, they can leave you with uneven results, tooth and gum irritation, and in some cases, damaged teeth. Professional teeth whitening will protect your oral health while giving you the results you want.

How Long Will My Teeth Stay White?

The longevity of Life-like treatment results will vary for each patient depending on factors like eating habits. Certain foods and beverages will darken your teeth more quickly than others. If you avoid and/or limit the following, your whitening treatment can potentially last up to two years.

Tobacco/Smoking
Alcohol
Coffee
Balsamic Vinegar
Soda
Berries
Tomato Sauce
Curry

Heavy consumption of these foods, beverages, and substances can quickly reverse the results of your whitening. If you do choose to consume them, do so in moderation to ensure a longer-lasting, white smile.

If you notice that the treatment is fading, you can go through the treatment again. Usually, additional treatments produce results more quickly than the first treatment. No matter the number of treatments you need over the years, McCullough Dental has the quality whitening you are looking for.

Is Teeth Whitening Safe?

Yes, teeth whitening is safe when performed under the supervision of a dentist. Professional whitening treatments are carefully monitored to prevent potential side effects like tooth sensitivity or gum irritation.

Am I a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

Most people are good candidates for teeth whitening, but some factors may affect your eligibility, including:

Sensitive Teeth or Gums: If you have sensitivity, Dr. McCullough might suggest a more gentle whitening option.
Restorative Work: If you have fillings, crowns, or veneers, these materials won’t respond to whitening treatments, and Dr. McCullough will discuss alternative options.
Age: Whitening is not typically recommended for children or teenagers whose teeth are still developing.

How Long Does a Professional Teeth Whitening Treatment Take?

In-office professional teeth whitening typically takes about 45 to 60 minutes. The process involves multiple applications of whitening gel and light activation, with noticeable results after just one session. At-home whitening treatments usually take 1–2 weeks with you wearing custom trays for about 30 minutes to an hour each day.

How Many Shades Whiter Can I Expect My Teeth to Get?

Professional whitening treatments can lighten your teeth by several shades—often 4–8 shades, depending on the severity of staining. The results will vary depending on the type of treatment, the degree of staining, and how well you follow aftercare instructions.

Is Professional Teeth Whitening Safe?

Yes! Professional teeth whitening is safe when performed under the care of a certified dentist. The whitening products used are carefully designed to be effective yet gentle, minimizing the risk of irritation or damage to your teeth and gums.

Will Professional Teeth Whitening Work on All Types of Stains?

Professional teeth whitening is most effective on surface stains caused by food, drinks, tobacco, and aging. It may be less effective on intrinsic stains caused by medications, trauma, or excessive fluoride exposure. Dr. McCullough can assess the type of staining you have and recommend the best treatment option for you.

Are There Any Side Effects to Professional Teeth Whitening?

Some patients may experience temporary tooth sensitivity or mild gum irritation following professional teeth whitening. These side effects are usually short-lived and should subside within a few days.

Call McCullough Dental for Excellent Teeth Whitening

Have questions about teeth whitening options? If you are in the Bakersfield area, including Tehachapi and Delano, CA, give us a call! Our dental team would love to help you get the beautiful, white smile you have always wanted.