Taking care of your teeth entails more than just brushing (which you should be doing at least twice a day!) and flossing. While getting your teeth whitened isn’t strictly necessary, it can certainly make you feel more confident about flashing your grin in public. If your teeth are stained, you might feel self-conscious about smiling for photos. While DIY home whitening kits have gained popularity in recent times mainly because they are relatively inexpensive and readily available, they cannot be compared to professional tooth whitening. Professional tooth whitening is a much more effective dental care process. If you want your teeth whiter for longer and are willing to spend some money, a professional whitening procedure is your best bet. However, there are a few things you need to know before you start the whitening process.
Professional Teeth Whitening Treatment In A Dentist Office Is Usually Brief
Whitening your teeth professionally in the dentist’s office usually takes several brief appointments, but this will vary from patient to patient. Appointments for teeth whitening typically last for just an hour and a half with the whitening chemical left on your natural teeth for 15 to 30 minutes at a time. When it comes to teeth whitening, you can choose from a few different in-office options, namely;
- a syringe-applied gel containing a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide
- the combination of hydrogen peroxide and a powerful source of light, such as an LED, UV, or halogen lamp. The lamp or laser device providing the light source is usually placed outside the mouth.
A 2016 study published in the Journal of Conservative Dentistry found that the use of both halogen light and laser light were more effective at whitening teeth than hydrogen peroxide alone. According to the report, participants in the halogen and laser light groups maintained the whiteness of their teeth for three weeks following treatment, but those in the no-light group experienced what is known as “shade rebound” (where a whitened teeth reverts to its original stained darkened shade) after just two weeks.
What To Expect From Teeth Whitening Services Near Me
Several procedures are involved in an in-office whitening process and these include the following;
- The shade of your teeth will be determined by comparing them to a tooth shade chart at your dentist’s office. It will be discussed how much lighter your smile could get through whitening treatments.
- After the plaque is removed, your dentist will polish your teeth with a pumice tool.
- Your dentist will use instruments to keep your mouth open so that the whitening chemical can reach your teeth without touching your gums, cheeks, or tongue. The gum line is protected by a barrier.
- After applying the whitening agent, your dentist may let it sit for up to an hour. If your dental care includes the use of light activation, this is the time it would be applied. Your dentist may need to apply extra coats of the whitening agent if that is the case.
- Following the completion of the whitening procedure, your mouth will be washed. Fluoride treatments provided by your dentist can reduce your likelihood of experiencing sensitivity.
- Your dentist will discuss with you about whether or not your teeth have attained the ideal shade and the behaviors you should adopt for the next day or so to allow the whitening agent to fully penetrate your teeth. Some examples include avoiding foods with strong colors and flavors, like coffee and red wine. Whitening causes temporary tooth dehydration, which increases tooth sensitivity and makes teeth more easily stained by beverages and foods. Your teeth may appear somewhat darker a few days after whitening, even if you strictly adhere to your dentist’s recommended routine of avoiding bright meals, coffee, and wine. But try not to lose hope. However, if after a week, your teeth are still too dark for your tastes, discuss further options with your dentist, such as take-home whitening kits or more office visits.
Professional Take-Home Trays Could Be Your Only Follow-up Option To Professional Tooth Whitening Treatment
When compared to in-office whitening, personalized take-home trays require more time and effort from patients. If your dentist thinks your smile is likely to obtain new stains again soon, take-home trays could be your only follow-up treatment to an in-office professional tooth whitening procedure. Your dentist can take an impression of your teeth and use that to create a unique professional take tray for you to use at home. Custom-made whitening trays are often more effective than over-the-counter options because they conform to the unique contours of each individual’s mouth.
You probably won’t obtain a gel containing hydrogen peroxide to put in the tray and use at home, but rather one containing carbamide peroxide. If you get any on your gums, cheeks, or tongue, you won’t be as sensitive to it as you would be if you used a hydrogen peroxide-based gel.
According to the ADA, the gel your dentist provides with your custom-fit trays should have a carbamide peroxide content anywhere from 10% to 38%. You may need to wear your tray for anything from two hours per day up to ten hours per day, and for as long as 28 days altogether. In the same vein, the carbamide content of commercially available trays is also rather consistent. There is a noticeable improvement in quality with respect to the fit. A bespoke tray is made to fit snugly around your teeth, so there’s less chance of the whitening gel leaking onto your gums or missing those inaccessible areas.
What You Should Know Before A Teeth Whitening Treatment
Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential
If your teeth aren’t healthy, professional whitening won’t do much good. See a dentist first if you have any problems with your gums, teeth, or mouth, such as decay, cracks, infections, or bad breath. Any of these dental issues do not preclude you from having your teeth whitened, but they need to be resolved first before your dentist is comfortable proceeding with the teeth whitening process.
The goal of professional teeth whitening is to eliminate both surface and deep-set discolorations
Stains on the outside of your teeth, known as extrinsic stains, are the focus of drugstore over-the-counter whitening products. However, both extrinsic and intrinsic stains can be removed with professional teeth whitening.
Of course, not everyone can qualify for a teeth whitening procedure
In its normal state, dentin appears yellow. However, the level of yellowness varies from person to person. Therefore, teeth whitening won’t help if your teeth have always had a more yellowish hue. In this instance, porcelain veneers can be the best choice. A porcelain veneer is a thin ceramic shell bonded to the front of a tooth to improve its appearance.
In most cases, teeth whitening won’t harm your teeth
Overuse or abuse of anything can have a negative effect on your teeth. Professional teeth whitening, on the other hand, is completely safe. Your dentist can utilize a procedure to help open the pores in your teeth and allow the staining to be lifted. Your teeth will remineralize and rehydrate on their own after the procedure.
Teeth come in a range of whiteness
The color of a person’s natural teeth varies from tooth to tooth, just as it does from person to person. In fact, you might have a tooth with a variety of shades inside of it. Because of this, teeth whitening could prove to be difficult. Tooth crowns, dental bridges, and porcelain veneers are also not bleachable. In order to get your teeth as white as possible, it is best to consult a dentist who can customize a treatment plan just for you.
The use of teeth whitening agent is the secret to success
Over-the-counter whiteners provide temporary teeth whitening relief, as they only help to whiten natural teeth with extrinsic stains, but not intrinsic stains. The effects of OTC whitening products are often short-lived, and sensitivity usually increases afterwards. On the other hand, the teeth whitening agent solution used in your dentist’s teeth-whitening technique penetrates deeply into the pores of your teeth to whiten them completely.
Your own actions will determine how long your pearly whites last
Healthy teeth can be any shade, so tooth whiteness is not indicative of dental wellness. Therefore, you should continue to brush and floss your teeth regularly. Additionally, every six months, you should schedule a cleaning appointment with your family dentist. This will not only be good for your teeth’s overall health, but it will also make your teeth’s whitening last longer.
FAQs About Teeth Whitening Services Near Me
Is there anything special I should know before I get my teeth whitened?
Whitening gel won’t harm your teeth, but it may cause irritation to your lips, cheeks, and gums. Therefore, retractors will be used to assist you in relaxing your jaw during the treatment while preventing the whitening solution from making contact with the delicate tissues in your mouth.
For how long after teeth whitening should care be taken?
If you’ve just had your teeth professionally whitened, it’s best to stick to foods and drinks that won’t stain them for at least 48 hours. During this time, you should maintain a “White Diet” which is a short-term eating plan in which only white and light-colored foods and beverages are consumed.
Which people shouldn’t whiten their teeth?
Women who are expecting or nursing as well as restoration patients who have had work done to their teeth, such as fillings, implants, crowns, or bridges. Also, children less than 16 years of age and patients suffering from gum disease, tooth decay, cavities, and root exposure are all disqualified from the professional whitening treatment.
If I go to the dentist to get my teeth whitened, how long will the appointment take?
The average person should expect to leave the dentist’s office with teeth up to three shades whiter than when they entered. Teeth whitening at the dentist takes, on average, about an hour and a half.
Getting The Best Professional Teeth Whitening Treatment At Epic Dental Center
Epic Dental Center is your complete dentist office offering a full gamut of dental services including general dentistry, family dentistry, preventative dentistry, restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. Our highly qualified, fully trained, and experienced dentists will provide you with personalized dental care to ensure that your specific dental needs are met. You will be welcomed and treated with the utmost respect by our dental treatment coordinator and dental assistant while our dentist attends to your dental issues with the care you deserve. We offer you professional teeth whitening treatment in your first scheduled appointment provided you have no underlying dental issues that need addressing first before teeth whitening can be recommended. You can get started with by giving us a call – tel:7133659904 or booking online today.
