Teeth whitening is one of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures, giving people a fast and affordable way to improve their smile. Almost everyone who chooses teeth whitening will notice moderate to significant improvement in the whiteness and brightness of their smile. Teeth whitening involves removing stains and discolorations from the teeth.
Whitening treatments are customizable to fit the patient’s budget, time frame, and preferences. Read on to learn the important questions to ask during your consultation.
Dental issues can affect the outcome of the whitening procedure. For instance, patients must undergo treatment for cavities before whitening their teeth because the whitening solution can penetrate the decayed areas into the inside of the tooth. In addition, tooth decay or receding gums may also make the teeth sensitive. Whitening is also ineffective on ceramic or porcelain crowns and veneers.
It is possible to complete teeth whitening in the office under the dentist’s supervision or with a kit at home. For doctor-supervised teeth whitening, the dentist will take a picture of the patient’s teeth so they can observe the progress of the treatment. The dentist will examine the teeth and ask questions about the cause of the discoloration.
Afterward, a dental hygienist or dentist will clean the teeth thoroughly to eliminate bacteria film, food debris, or other substances that may have accumulated on the teeth and caused the staining. After completing this process, the whitening procedure starts.
In most cases, patients like to ensure their teeth are in good condition and they are viable candidates for teeth whitening treatment. Patients in good oral health and free of serious dental problems are eligible for teeth whitening. Normally, the dentist will check the patient’s teeth and health history before recommending teeth whitening. In addition, patients who have gum disease, tooth sensitivity, tooth decay, dental restorations, or are pregnant or lactating may need to hold off on teeth whitening.
Here are a few questions to ask at your consultation appointment:
Many bleaching products used by dentists come with the American Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance. This approval includes products used at the clinic for professional teeth whitening, which can contain as much as 35% hydrogen peroxide, and at-home kits provided by dentists with about 10%. Over-the-counter bleaching products contain less than 10% hydrogen peroxide, and there are currently no brands that the ADA approves.
Whitening is not a permanent fix. For example, if you smoke or consume teeth-staining foods or drinks, your teeth may get stained. However, if you take proper care of your teeth, another whitening procedure may not be necessary for another six to 12 months. You can ask the dentist for an ideal whitening schedule.
The result of teeth whitening varies depending on the patient. Many get desired results in one session, while others may need multiple appointments. Before proceeding with treatment, ask the dentist about the possible realistic projections of results and how long it will take to get the desired shade.
Whitening rarely causes serious side effects, although some patients may experience teeth sensitivity or gum irritation for a short while. If you think you might benefit from a teeth whitening procedure, call our office at {{PHONE}} to schedule a consultation with the dentist.
To learn more about our services, visit https://www.gatewaydental.org or call our Bowie office at (301) 485-7492 to schedule an appointment.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Teeth Whitening in Bowie, MD.
The ideal shade of white targeted during teeth whitening treatments is a few shades lighter than the white of the patient’s eyes. Whitening treatments can make teeth whiter than that, but the results typically would not look natural compared to the rest of the patient’s physical features. Teeth whitening treatments aim to get the patient…
Considering teeth whitening? Modern-day dentistry has allowed for the evolution of many teeth whitening products, which gives individuals with stained teeth a lot of options. However, with the options comes the question of results. Most are curious how quickly results are achievable and specifically, whether whiter teeth are achievable in one day. Keep reading to…
In-office teeth whitening is a procedure that is safe for most patients with healthy teeth enamel. However, there are some risks that are involved for some patients. Understanding how safe in-office teeth whitening is and what the potential risks are help with deciding about treatment. Anyone who is looking for a way to brighten their smile…
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure offered by most general dentists. It targets and removes tough stains on teeth, brightening the patient’s smile. It is important to properly prepare and have realistic expectations before beginning teeth whitening treatment to ensure a successful treatment process. The teeth whitening treatment process involves a consultation visit with a licensed…
Dental crowns, also called dental caps, are dental restorations that are placed over existing teeth…
However, patients also need to be cautious when cleaning and flossing their teeth to avoid…
Periodontics focuses on diagnosing and treating issues that affect gum tissues and the other structures…
Professional teeth whitening treatments are the ideal way to get teeth whitened and they lead…
A bridge might be your best option if you have one tooth that's damaged or…
Invisalign® treatment can be used to gradually align your teeth through plastic trays that your…
