Professional teeth whitening has smiles gleaming in San Francisco

Your smile makes a powerful first impression, and it is often your most memorable characteristic. Dr. Terri Nguyen and Dr. Laura Huynh keep smiles sparkling with professional teeth whitening. Patients in the San Francisco area trust West Portal Dentistry for safe, low-sensitivity treatment and excellent whitening results.

Types and causes of dental stains

There are basically three types dental stains:
Extrinsic stains are pigments that settle into the outer layer of tooth structure from:

  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Cola
  • Red wine
  • Dark berries
  • Smoking or smokeless tobacco

Basically, any food or beverage that might stain a white tee-shirt will discolor teeth. Good daily hygiene removes some of it, but stains work their way deep into microscopic tubules in enamel.

Intrinsic stains occur when the inner structure of teeth darken from:

  • Excess fluoride
  • Tetracycline (an antibiotic)
  • Trauma

As tooth enamel thins over time, the yellowish layer of dentin underneath becomes visible, resulting in age-related discoloration.
An effective combination approach

Drug stores aisles are full of products that claim to whiten teeth. They may provide some improvement. However, they could contain abrasives that scratch enamel, actually contributing to dingy tooth color. No over-the-counter remedy can match the whitening power of professional treatment, for effective results on all three types of stains. Plus, you have oversight from a team of trained dental professionals.

The dentists at West Portal Dentistry use a combination approach for the whitest smiles with the lowest risk of sensitivity. KöR deep bleaching treatment begins with an in-office laser whitening procedure that takes about an hour. The patient is also provided with custom-fit trays for at-home whitening. Trays are filled with prescription-strength gel and worn overnight. A special buffering ingredient ensures comfort. Once desired results are achieved, trays can be worn periodically to keep the smile bright.

For teeth whitening in San Francisco, contact West Portal Family Dentistry. The number is (415) 604-9292.

Dr. Terri Nguyen has over 20 years of expertise in the field of dental practice

A graduate from UC San Francisco with a Doctor of Dental Science degree, Dr. Terri M. Nguyen has over 20 years of expertise in the field of dental practice. She is known for her caring and passionate nature towards her patients whilst having a wealth of knowledge and technical skill.

Dr. Nguyen continues to update herself with newer and tested treatment methods and technology to ensure that she is capable of delivering the best possible service to her clients. Her areas of specialty include root canal therapy, implant dentistry and cosmetic treatment. She is also a prestigious member of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.

Dr. Tiffany H. Nguyen grew up in Santa Clara. She studied dentistry at the University of the Pacific in San Francisco, with over 6 years of expertise in the field of dental practice. She is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) and American Academy of Clear Aligners (AACA).

As a Bay Area native, Dr. Tiffany Nguyen is excited to settle in the West Portal neighborhood and serve her community.

Dr. Tiffany Nguyen has over 6 years of expertise in the field of dental practice
Dr. Laura Huynh dedicates herself to providing the highest level of dental care to patients

Dr. Laura T. Huynh dedicates herself to providing the highest level of dental care to patients of all ages. While she has over 15 years of experience in all areas of general practice, she especially enjoys pediatric dentistry and cosmetic dentistry for adults.

A UC Irvine graduate, Dr. Huynh obtained her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Arthur Dugoni Dental School at University of Pacific. She stays on top of the latest trends and technologies in dentistry by following continuing education courses annually. She is a member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and San Francisco Dental Society.