Going on vacation? Getting married? Reunions or Graduations coming up? If so, read on to learn what you should do before teeth whitening.
In a recent survey, 67 percent of American adults claimed to have whitened their teeth in some way. White teeth are valuable to anyone, whether they have been professionally whitened by their dentist or have used whitening toolkits. The fact is, teeth whitening is one of the most prevalent cosmetic dentistry procedures today for:
- Having white teeth boosts morale
- Your mental health improves when you have a glowing smile
And most importantly, teeth whitening is safe, effective, and gives immediate results. However, before investing in teeth whitening from your dentist, you need to understand a few things.
Home Whitening Versus Professional Teeth Whitening
These days, you can get whitening kits for your teeth at home. You can buy them at your nearest drugstore or order them online. But keep an eye out for these kits. In many cases, the ingredients in these products are harsh or ineffective, which can actually cause harm. Using highly abrasive ingredients, for example, can wear away enamel over time. Having thinned out the enamel may cause it to weaken, which may result in cavities or an increase in sensitivity.
What are the best ways to whiten your teeth then? Consult a dentist. Teeth whitening in a professional dental environment usually provides better and faster results than traditional methods. In addition, dental professionals will assess your needs and tailor your dental care. Whitening your teeth with a professional can transform your smile and your life, safely and efficiently.
Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening
- Boost your whitening power and effectiveness
- Fast and reliable
- Treatment tailored to your needs
- Provided in a comfortable and safe treatment environment
- The results are immediate and safe
You can see that professional whitening services offer a variety of advantages over over-the-counter products.
Types of Teeth Whitening
You can whiten your teeth using a variety of different techniques, some of which are available from your dentist, and others not. Several of them work, while others have a dubious history.
At Plunkett & Chaw Dental, we recommend toothpaste as part of a comprehensive teeth whitening plan, but not as a stand-alone treatment. It can help your teeth stay white after you have gotten them whitened by the dentist.
That said, over-the-counter toolkits like whitening trays or stripes sometimes work but not like professional solutions. When it comes to buying something in a store, you simply can’t get it as strong as what you might find from a medical professional. Moreover, over-the-counter whitening trays aren’t designed to fit your teeth specifically, they’re designed for everyone. This can cause gum irritation when they become loose and leak solution.
Read on here 5 essential tips for preparing yourself for your teeth whitening journey.
01: Get a Dental Checkup First
Make sure you take advantage of your professional dental appointment before your whitening session. It’s good to see your dentist even if you don’t have a scheduled appointment.
To choose the right whitening treatment, your dental professional will evaluate your overall dental health and your unique needs. A dentist’s opinion is a good idea before whitening your teeth, since some stains cannot be eliminated with whitening products.
It’s during this appointment that your dentist can let you know if you’re good for teeth whitening. Sometimes, even the best bleaching gel won’t get rid of discoloration.
Discolored teeth caused by internal staining, for example, will not work.
- Decay
- Trauma
- Long-term exposure to antibiotics
External stains are the only stains that are treated by most whitening treatments. Smoking, drinking, and eating leave stains on the teeth.
02: Clean Your Teeth Before Whitening
It’s a good idea to have your dentist clean your teeth before any dental treatment, regardless of what you choose to have done. You will benefit from the whitening procedure as a result.
Plaque, tartar, and other sediments present on your teeth can affect the outcome of whitening. Prior to your treatment, good dental hygiene is also crucial.
Make sure you floss and brush your teeth every day to prevent issues that may adversely affect the whitening process.
03: Eat Fewer Stain-Causing Meals
Diet and drink are major contributors to discolored teeth. Dark colored foods can generally stain the teeth. Coffee, juice, red wine, and dark sodas are just a few examples of such foods. You can attempt to whiten your teeth after eating these products by visiting a dentist or purchasing a teeth-whitening kit over the counter. Withdrawing from these items completely is not an option, so brush your teeth as soon as you can after consuming them. Among the most common stains on teeth are:
- Red wine
- Smoking
- Coffee and tea
- Tomato sauce
- Curry
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Sodas
- Fruit juice
To limit their consumption, rinse your mouth afterward with water, or use a straw (for drinks).
04: Get Your Teeth Desensitized
The average American suffers from sensitive teeth one out of every eight, or approximately 40 million people. Your teeth may become even more sensitive if you whiten them.
Use a desensitizing toothpaste before and after you have a whitening procedure done if you are planning on having it done. Potassium nitrate and strontium chloride are found in this toothpaste. By inhibiting pain signal transmission from your tooth to the nerve, these ingredients help reduce pain. You may feel less pain as a result.
It may be a good idea to take a pain reliever after your treatment if you are concerned that your teeth are extremely sensitive. Talk to your dentist beforehand about this.
05: Use a Shade Guide
The best way to whiten your teeth is to follow a proper procedure. See your dentist, have your teeth cleaned, use a desensitizing toothpaste, and determine what your “goal shade” is.
Comparing the different shades of your teeth with a shade guide is a good idea. You need a base shade and a target shade that match closely.
After the whitening treatment, you can also use the shade guide to see your results. Ask your dentist what shade you should choose as your goal shade if you’re unsure.
Discovering how much brighter you need to go will help you achieve a more natural smile.
Is Professional Teeth Whitening Right for You?
Professional teeth whitening is a lot more effective and safer than doing it yourself at home. You have to decide whether professional teeth whitening is right for you. Still, it’s unquestionably got a lot going for it.
Talk to your dentist if you’re interested in teeth whitening. Contact us at Plunkett & Chaw Dental. Our dental experts will safely whiten your teeth to the desired shade and leave them stain-free.
Our Teeth Whitening Solutions Include
Our dentists in Dunwoody Georgia also offer whitening trays at our dental office. In this type of procedure, patients can control how white they want their teeth to be, as well as how often they whiten them. The process starts with taking an impression of the patient’s teeth.
Afterwards, a dental lab makes you custom whitening trays. You don’t have to worry about them leaking. Patients love this because once they’re made, they can use them whenever they want. For a week or two, patients wear the whitening trays for a couple of hours every night for a week or more. When teeth are the perfect shade of white, a patient can stop wearing the trays. You can whiten your teeth on vacation, business trips, or after moving to a new city with this portable solution.
How Our Professional Teeth Whitening Helps You
You will learn two types of tooth whitening from us. While some dental practices offer in-office whitening services, others offer treatments that can be performed at home. We can perform an in-office treatment at the same time as your teeth cleaning or on a separate appointment. Results are usually apparent instantly. The fast completion time makes this a good solution for many people.
In most cases, the procedure won’t be painful. We recommend patients visit our Dunwoody dental office for a dental exam before starting. Our dentists will check your teeth and gums to make sure they’re healthy enough for whitening. That way, if there’s anything wrong, we can fix it before whitening.
Schedule your appointment today. Call (770) 452-0222
