Turn your teeth from yellow to white, almost overnight.

What is teeth whitening?

There are 3 main ways to whiten teeth.

You can get teeth whitening kits at most drug stores, which include “white strips”.  The results from these kits are limited.

Professional tooth whitening occurs in-office, and often can be done in a single visit.

Finally, your dentist can provide you with bleaching trays custom fit to your teeth. This can be used at home, as needed.

Veneers After Image

Is teeth whitening right for you?

Benefits:

  • In-office treatments are fast, and you can see results immediately.
  • Results are long lasting.
  • Bleach trays can be used to “touch up” whitening from time to time.

Possible drawbacks:

  • People with sensitive teeth may not be able to tolerate bleach trays.
  • Dental materials may not bleach the same way natural teeth will.
  • Higher cost of in-office whitening.

How long does teeth whitening take?

In-office whitening treatments shouldn’t take more than an hour, and you you will see immediate results.

Bleach tray fittings take around an hour, and you need to come back to the office to pick them up when they are ready.

Bleaching at home can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes per night, as per your dentist’s instruction.

How much does teeth whitening cost?

“Amateur” tooth whitening kits and white strips cost around $30-$100, and you’ll need a lot of them to see results.

Professional, in-office same-day tooth whitenings run between $350 and $850, depending on the number of treatments.

A professional at-home bleaching tray and bleach will cost around $250 to $400.

Schedule an appointment today!

Solana Beach, CA, area patients ready to whiten their smiles can call (858) 360-3102 to request an appointment at 625 Valley Avenue to discuss their options. Our dental team is pleased to serve patients in Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe, Carlsbad, Carmel Valley, CA, and beyond.

Many Happy Faces

At a young age our teeth are healthy white. But overtime the enamel coating the tooth is so slowly worn down. Causing our teeth to become stained and yellow, which is why teeth whitening is become increasingly popular today. There are a few methods for whitening. They include at home and in office. With in office treatments, you will see faster results, receive the safest treatment for bleaching the teeth, and yield the whitest smile. So, don’t settle for teeth that have become stained from years of coffee drinking, tobacco use, or just aging. Ask your dentist about whitening options that may be right you.


Dr. Dale Trudeau

Dr. Dale Trudeau

Dr. Thomas Fitzpatrick

Dr. Thomas Fitzpatrick

Dr. Nikko Johnson

Dr. Nikko Johnson

Dr. Erik Balinghasay

Dr. Erik Balinghasay


Del Mar Family Dentistry is served by four experienced and talented physicians: Drs. Dale Trudeau, Thomas Fitzpatrick, Nikko Johnson, and Erik Balinghasay.

Dr. Dale Trudeau has served the community of Del Mar and Solana Beach since 1984. He is a graduate and former instructor at USC School of Dentistry and has completed many hours of advanced training in restorative, cosmetic, implant dentistry, and Invisalign. He is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), California Dental Association (CDA), San Diego County Dental Society (SDCDS), and American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Trudeau is active in the community and volunteers at many local charities and youth organizations.

Dr. Thomas Fitzpatrick is a graduate of Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) in San Diego and Loma Linda University, School of Dentistry. He is a Research Associate at PLNU, YMCA, and Foundation for Worldwide Health, along with being a member of the ADA, CDA, Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), and SDCDS. Dr. Fitzpatrick has a passion to provide sustainable dental services to underserved communities both locally and globally. In 2013 he founded Cura Coffee Company to help fund the non-profit work of Cura Smiles. This non-profit has been able to build a dental clinic in the diverse community of City Heights, San Diego to help serve the underserved in their dental needs.

Connect with Dr. Thomas Fitzpatrick on Linkedin


Dr. Nikko Johnson is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma University College of Dentistry. After completing her dental residency, she practiced as a general dentist in Oklahoma and North Carolina before obtaining her Master of Science in Periodontology from the University Of Detroit Mercy School Of Dentistry. Among her competencies are prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal diseases and treatment modalities with advanced oral plastic surgeries. She has had the honor of providing dental care to veterans for many years.

Dr. Erik Balinghasay is a graduate of the University of California San Diego(UCSD) and University of California Los Angeles(UCLA), School of Dentistry. Upon graduating from UCLA, he pursued advanced speciality training in Endodontics, the dental specialty related to root canals, at the University of Washington in Seattle. He is a Board-Certified Endodontist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics.