When you undergo a teeth whitening procedure at your dentist’s office, it’s important to remember that it’s not a medical procedure that can make your teeth healthier. However, this process results in a whiter, brighter smile. With that in mind, it makes you feel good about yourself.
But does it work?
Teeth whitening works, but the result may depend on the method you use. You must avoid having teeth whitening in a beauty salon as it’s illegal. Instead, you should only go to a registered dental professional for this type of procedure. If a non-qualified person performs this procedure, it may cause more harm than good to your mouth.
Make sure your dentist is registered and licensed to practice in your state. It’s also important that your dentist has years of experience in cosmetic dentistry to ensure an excellent outcome.
Types of Teeth Whitening
One of the types of teeth whitening is bleaching. It changes your tooth enamel by removing surface stains. The stains that are deeper in your teeth can also be removed with this type of teeth whitening.
Bleaching can be done at your dentist’s office. Or you can choose to have a kit that your dentist gives you. This type of whitening uses carbamide peroxide to bleach your teeth.
In-office bleaching uses carbamide peroxide in combination with a laser to speed up the process. One session can take up to an hour to complete. However, you may need more than one session to receive its results.
During bleaching, your dentist will provide protection to your gums using a gel or a shield. The concentration of the bleaching agent used in an in-office treatment is stronger than other whitening procedures.
The kit that your dentist may give you consists of a mouthpiece and a gel that contains the bleach. Your dentist will make a custom mouthpiece to fix your teeth. Compared with in-house bleaching, whitening kit contains a lower amount of bleach. You must follow the instructions of your dentist on how to wear it properly and for how long.
When is teeth whitening not right for you?
Teeth whitening works. But it doesn’t work on bonding or tooth-colored fillings. Thus, if you whiten your teeth, they will still stand out. It’s ideal that you consult with your dentist whether or not teeth whitening works for you, especially if you have crowns or very dark stains.
It’s also important to remember that teeth whitening may cause some side effects. Even if it works, it may still cause tooth sensitivity, especially if you’re using a bleaching solution. However, this issue may resolve after the treating has been completed. Also, if you’re using a mouthpiece that doesn’t fit well may cause gum pain.
How to go about teeth whitening?
Your dentist will recommend it if it’s right for you. He/she may not advise it if you have gum disease or crowns.
If you think that you can be a good candidate for teeth whitening, contact your dentist. Your teeth can still be brightened through whitening procedure.