A brighter smile can enhance your appearance and boost your confidence. If you're dealing with stained or discolored teeth, professional whitening may be the solution. At the Houston dental office of Heather F. Fleschler, DDS, FAGD, LVIF, we offer safe, effective treatments that deliver noticeable results. Dr. Fleschler is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, distinctions held by a select number of dentists nationwide.
With advanced training in cosmetic dentistry, she ensures each whitening treatment is selected with care and expertise. Whether you're getting ready for a special event or want to feel more confident in your smile, our customized options can help you achieve the brighter results you're looking for.
Why Choose Professional Teeth Whitening?
At-home whitening products like strips and toothpaste may seem convenient, but they often deliver uneven results and can cause gum irritation or tooth sensitivity when misused. These treatments typically lack the strength to remove deeper stains and don't offer the customization needed for consistent results.
At Dr. Heather F. Fleschler's office, professional whitening treatments like Phillips ZOOM! and take-home options like Opalescence Go and Custom Whitening Trays are designed for safety, comfort, and effectiveness. Each option is tailored to your needs and overseen by a dental professional, offering brighter, faster, and longer-lasting results than any over-the-counter method.
Whitening Options
Dr. Heather F. Fleschler offers three powerful whitening options giving patients the flexibility to choose between in-office speed and at-home convenience:
- Phillips ZOOM! (In-Office Treatment): A fast, professional-grade whitening procedure performed in a single visit. This treatment uses an LED Lamp with a high concentration whitening gel to lift teeth up to eight shades. Each session lasts 15 minutes and can be repeated up to four times during the same appointment. It's ideal for patients who want immediate, noticeable results with minimal sensitivity.
- Opalescence GO pre-filled trays and Custom Whitening Trays (Take-Home Options): For patients who prefer to whiten at home, Dr. Fleschler provides two take-home choices. Opalescence Go features pre-filled, disposable trays that require no impressions—perfect for simple, on-the-go whitening. Custom Trays are made from molds of your teeth, offering a personalized fit and consistent results using professional-strength gel. Both options allow for gradual whitening on your schedule with dentist-supervised safety and support.
See What Our Patients Are Saying Abot Us:
“Dr. Fleschler and her staff are amazing. I cannot say enough about the care I receive from this practice. I recommend Dr. Fleschler to anyone in need of a dentist. Just fantastic!”
-Mark A.
Teeth Whitening In Houston Before & After
What Causes My Teeth To Become Stained And Dingy?
Most stains occur on the enamel layer of your teeth. These are from foods, drinks, and smoking. Other stains occur deeper in the dentin layer; they are caused by drug reactions and tooth trauma. Our teeth naturally become more yellow as we age, and our enamel becomes thinner.
These are the different factors that can stain your teeth:
- Foods — Blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries all have natural pigments that stain your enamel.
- Drinks — Coffee, tea, red wine, some fruit juices, and even colas can all stain your teeth, especially if you drink a lot of them.
- Fluorosis — There can be too much of a good thing when it comes to fluoride. Too much leads to fluorosis, which stains the teeth.
- Genes — The color of the enamel on our teeth is different, along with the dentin beneath (which can influence the outer color). Some teeth are simply more yellow than others.
- Smoking — Nicotine in cigarettes leaves yellow stains on your teeth.
- Drugs — Tetracycline is the main culprit in stained teeth. Heavily used as an antibiotic in the 60s and 70s, it deeply stained many children's teeth.
- Aging — Our enamel layer thins with time, showing more of the dentin beneath.
Are There Any Tips For Teeth Whitening?
There are things you can do to keep your teeth whiter. Use an ADA-approved whitening toothpaste with fluoride. These toothpastes use gentle scrubbing agents to remove some light staining from coffee, wine, and the like.
You could, of course, cut out staining items from your diet, like red wine, berries, coffee, and the like. But that's no fun! Plus, blueberries and raspberries are two superfoods that have antioxidant properties. If you want to minimize staining, drink some water and swish it around your mouth immediately after eating or drinking staining foods and beverages.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening works on the enamel, the outer layer of your teeth. Because the enamel is somewhat porous, stains from coffee, red wine, and the like can take hold. Whitening agents, such as hydrogen peroxide, penetrate the enamel and break down stains, similarly to how detergents break up stains on clothing. If your stains are from foods and beverages, our three teeth whitening options will work well for you.
However, if your teeth are stained in the layer beneath the enamel, the dentin, teeth whitening won't have any effect. These stains are the result of drug reactions (tetracycline, etc.), trauma (such as when a tooth was bumped and loosened for a time), or from previous dental work on a tooth (orthodontic bands, etc.). To correct these stains, you need to place either composite fillings, porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns on the teeth.
The Importance of a Dental Exam Before Teeth Whitening
Before performing your teeth whitening treatment, Dr. Fleschler will conduct a thorough examination and cleaning. There are a few reasons you don't want to skip this step if you want to brighten your smile. Your pre-treatment exam and cleaning achieve the following:
Confirmation that you're a good candidate for teeth whitening. One of the primary factors that makes you a good candidate for teeth whitening is that you have extrinsic stains. This means your discoloration is within the enamel layer but not beneath it. Stains beneath tooth enamel, called intrinsic stains, involve the tooth's structure, which cannot be improved. If you have intrinsic teeth stains, you may be a good candidate for veneer treatment. Other factors that can affect your teeth whitening treatment include your tooth health and gum health. If, for example, you have gum disease that has exposed tooth roots, you may experience exaggerated sensitivity or discomfort from teeth whitening. Addressing existing dental issues before teeth whitening enables you to get the best results with the fewest side effects.
Ensure optimal results. After examining your teeth and confirming that you are a good candidate for teeth whitening, we'll clean your teeth, too. This removes the biofilm of plaque and any tartar that may be present. Without these invisible layers in the way, the whitening gel can better permeate tooth enamel and break up stains.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Teeth Whitening Affect Composite Fillings, Porcelain Veneers, Or Crowns?
Teeth whitening does not affect fillings, veneers, or crowns. Dental porcelain used in veneers and crowns is highly resistant to staining, so those teeth will stay whiter than your natural teeth. Composite fillings are also not changed — whitening, bond strength, or longevity — by whitening agents.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
Teeth whitening is absolutely safe. There have not been any instances in the U.S. of structural damage caused by approved whitening methods. After whitening with Dr. Fleschler, your teeth may be slightly more sensitive, but this sensation will resolve a few days after completion of whitening treatment.
What Is The Cost Of Teeth Whitening In Houston, TX?
The cost of your teeth whitening depends on just how stained your teeth are and which of our three options you choose. When you come in for your consultation, we can give you the cost once we see your situation.
How Long Will My Whitening Last?
Our teeth whitening options will all whiten your teeth several shades. This whitening is not permanent, however. Whatever you were doing to stain your teeth before will stain them again. That's why gauging how long your teeth will stay white is impossible. Once you do reach your desired tooth shade, maintenance whitening with either in office treatment (yearly) or take home treatment (to be determined by Dr. Fleschler) is necessary to keep your desired white smile.
Good home hygiene also plays an important role. Excellent home care is important, as are your in office professional cleanings and exams with Dr. Fleschler.
Why Choose Dr. Heather Fleschler for Teeth Whitening?
When you visit Dr. Heather Fleschler's Houston practice for teeth whitening, you can expect a high standard of care backed by advanced training and experience. A native of the Meyerland/Bellaire area, Dr. Fleschler earned her DDS from the University of Texas-Houston Dental Branch and completed a General Practice Residency.
She holds Fellow status with both the Academy of General Dentistry and the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, where she became Houston's first female LVI Fellow. Her background in cosmetic and restorative dentistry ensures that whitening treatments offered in her office are selected and supervised with expert attention to safety, comfort, and results.
Your Professional Teeth Whitening Choice in Houston, TX
If dull or stained teeth are holding you back, we're here to help you feel more confident about your smile. Dr. Heather F. Fleschler offers safe, effective whitening treatments tailored to your needs, whether in-office or at home. To learn more, contact us at 713-660-6500 or click the button below to schedule your appointment.
