In-office and take-home whitening that lifts stains from coffee, tea, and time. We check your teeth and gums first and tell you honestly what results to expect.
Coffee, tea, red wine, and the years themselves leave their mark on enamel, and brushing alone does not always bring back the brightness you remember. If you have caught yourself closing your lips in photos or covering your mouth when you laugh, you are far from alone.
At Family Dentistry of Lakeland, we offer professional teeth whitening in both in-office and take-home forms, so you can choose the pace that fits your life. This simple cosmetic dentistry treatment starts with a check of your teeth and gums, and we tell you honestly what results to expect before we begin.
Whitening products use peroxide to break stains into smaller pieces, which makes the color less concentrated and your teeth brighter. We offer two professional ways to do it, as the comparison below shows.
| Feature | In-Office Whitening | Take-Home Whitening |
|---|---|---|
| Where | At our Lakeland office | At home on your schedule |
| Speed | Fastest change | Gradual, over days to weeks |
| Supervision | We monitor you throughout | We guide you before you start |
| Best for | Events and shorter timelines | Control over pace and easy touch-ups |
| Gum protection | Protective barrier applied | Trays hold gel on the teeth |
For in-office whitening, we protect your gums and apply a professional-strength gel directly to your teeth. For take-home whitening, we make custom-fitted trays so the gel stays where it belongs instead of touching your gums or washing away with saliva. Many patients like to start in the office and keep trays at home for later touch-ups.
Strips and gels from the pharmacy can lighten surface stains, but the results are often slower and less even. Professional whitening adds three things a box cannot.
We check for decay, gum problems, and the type of stain you have.
Custom trays reduce gum irritation and uneven coverage.
We adjust the plan if you notice sensitivity.
Whitening does not work the same way on every tooth, which is why we look at your smile before you buy anything or start treatment. The American Dental Association explains that yellow teeth will probably bleach well, brown teeth may not respond as well, and gray tones may not bleach at all.
Usually respond well to whitening.
May respond less.
May not bleach at all.
Do not change color with whitening.
Because only natural teeth whiten, existing dental work on your front teeth can end up looking darker than the teeth around it. If that applies to you, we can talk about options such as porcelain veneers or composite bonding after whitening. Chalky white marks on enamel are a different concern, and our white spot removal page explains that option.
Every whitening plan begins with a conversation about your goals, and the steps below show how it typically unfolds.
We check your teeth and gums and look at the type of staining.
We help you pick in-office whitening, take-home trays, or both.
We guide in-office treatment or show you how to use your trays.
We share aftercare tips and plan any future touch-ups.
Some people notice temporary tooth sensitivity, which happens when peroxide reaches the softer dentin layer and irritates the nerve. According to the American Dental Association, the sensitivity is temporary in most cases. If it lingers, let us know so we can adjust your plan. Whitening is not permanent, so these habits help your smile stay bright.
Your cost depends on the option you choose and your goals, and we explain the numbers before you begin. Whitening is often treated as a cosmetic service, so coverage varies by plan.
We accept all PPO plans, including those that consider us out-of-network, and not having insurance should not stand in your way. Financing options may be available for qualified patients, we accept FSA cards, and our insurance information page has more detail. If you want to see what a brighter smile can look like, browse our smile gallery or learn about a full smile makeover.
Here are answers to questions we hear often about professional whitening.
Cost depends on whether you choose in-office whitening, take-home trays, or both. We review the details with you upfront, and our team can help you compare coverage and financing options that fit your budget.
Whitening is not permanent, and how long it lasts depends on your habits. Limiting dark drinks, rinsing after strongly colored foods, and keeping up with cleanings all help your results last longer.
Some people notice temporary sensitivity, especially with stronger treatments, and it often fades within a day or two. Let us know if it lingers so we can adjust your plan.
No, only natural teeth change color with whitening. If you have dental work on your front teeth, we review your options before you start so everything matches.
In-office whitening gives the fastest change, while take-home trays let you set your own pace and touch up later. We can walk you through both so you choose with confidence.
A brighter smile should feel simple to get, not stressful. Our team takes a non-judgmental, patient-first approach to every visit, and we tell you upfront what whitening can and cannot do for your teeth. We are proud to care for Lakeland families, veterans, and military families, and we were voted second best dentist in Lakeland by The Lakelander magazine.
If you are ready to feel good about your smile again, we are here to walk you through your options without pressure. Reach out through our contact form to schedule an appointment.
Serving:
and surrounding communities
Office Hours:
Monday : 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday : 7:00AM – 3:00 PM
Wednesday : 8:00 AM – 5:00PM
Thursday : 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Friday : Closed
Saturday:
Closed
Sunday:
Closed
