So you want to have a set of pearly whites you can be proud to show off every time you step out of the house to do errands or meet up with your friends. You want to make sure that everyone looks at you in awe and asks how you take care of your teeth. Of course, showing how white your teeth are is very important as it is still a part of your presentation as a person. This article will discuss the different steps and other benefits people can get from teeth whitening treatments at the dentist.
Aside from brushing your teeth every day, you should always consult your dentist to give your teeth the best condition it deserves. Teeth whitening is one of those methods that many people have done to make sure their teeth look the best, especially on special occasions where you have to smile a lot for the cameras and memories.
It might sound easy, but dentists do not just whiten your teeth using fluoride and other components. It has a step-by-step guide that ensures you have the best smiles after the treatment.
Step One: Consultation with the Dentist
Every teeth whitening treatment starts with proper consultation with the dentist. It is important to remember that even though you have the money to pay for the teeth whitening treatment, you can still be counted off as a candidate for teeth whitening for some reason.
For example, if you have crowns or large fillings on your front teeth, the dentist would strongly oppose you having teeth whitening as it will damage your crowns or fillings. This is because while teeth bleaching will work well for your natural teeth, it will not have the same effect on your dental restorations, which are made from other materials such as porcelain, ceramic, or composite material. This would result in your teeth having more than one color.
The dentist would check your teeth and see if you are a good candidate for a teeth whitening treatment. The dentist would also be able to suggest other cleaning methods for your teeth, depending on the condition of your teeth. This is because teeth whitening might work better on certain types of discolored teeth than the others.
The consultation might happen before the actual treatment, or you can have the talk first. Then if you are qualified for teeth whitening, you can book it later for your convenience and availability.
Step Two: The Actual Treatment Itself
Say your dentist has told you that you can be a good candidate for teeth whitening. You are available after the consultation. That’s going to be the time when you have to undergo the actual treatment yourself.
Protecting Your Gums and Lips
Once you feel comfortable sitting on the dental chair, the dentist will insert a tool into your mouth called the lip retractor. It is a plastic guide that keeps your lips out of the way throughout the teeth whitening process.
Then, the dentist would cover your exposed gums around your front teeth with a special gel. Afterward, it would be exposed to a high-powered light, ultimately hardening the gel applied to it. Dentists call it a gingival barrier. This protects your gums from the chemicals that might irritate you or trigger an allergic reaction during the treatment.
Taking Care of Sensitive Teeth
If you ever have sensitive teeth, the dentist would also have to apply a special compound to your teeth, aside from the gingival barrier used on your gums. This step is usually done to ensure that your teeth are immune to sensitivity during the treatment, which can cause a certain degree of discomfort.
Applying Hydrogen Peroxide
The next step involves applying hydrogen peroxide to your front teeth. It will be used through a gel formulation, and it is made of 15% to 35% hydrogen peroxide, as too much hydrogen peroxide might cause complications on your teeth and mouth in general.
For those who have no idea what hydrogen peroxide is, it is a cleaning agent that can penetrate the outer layer of your front teeth, which is usually porous, and cause the stain compounds to break around through oxidation. This is the main ingredient that dentists use in teeth whitening procedures.
Depending on which teeth whitening system was used, the dentist might also employ a high-powered light, which speeds up the entire whitening process. Usually, the dentist would apply multiple applications of the whitening gel throughout the session until they get the desired result for your teeth.
Wrapping Up
The last process includes rinsing the gel off your teeth and reapplying it until they get the desired level of cleanliness and whiteness for your teeth. This will happen within forty minutes or so. You can ask your dentist about it, but it will be done much quicker once the desired state comes out.
Results After The Treatment
After the treatment, you can expect your teeth to be at least four to six shades whiter after only a single session. However, some patients might experience other side effects such as gum sensitivity or tooth sensitivity, which will disappear within two days after the treatment.
What to Do After The Treatment
The results of your teeth whitening treatment can last for a year or two, but it depends on your eating and other habits. If you are a heavy smoker, it can affect the color of your teeth and contribute to discoloration. While we cannot say you must stop smoking as it is your choice, we’re just saying that you might go for another teeth whitening session much more often than nonsmokers.
Some dentists might recommend additional teeth care methods aside from regular brushings, such as using a professional home whitening kit. However, it is not really that required, and if you feel like your teeth have gone discolored again, you can go to your dentist and ask about it.
Our Takeaway
Teeth whitening will surely make your smiles look much more appealing, and it will show that you take care of your teeth properly. Your dentist would thank you for taking care of your teeth as it is an essential part of your body. Teeth whitening is easy, and almost everyone can have it. The results will be shown immediately after a single session for most of the patients.
The Dental Spa believes that having a broad smile is a sign of confidence. People often smile when they have well-maintained teeth taken care of by professionals. Thus, they offer various dental services such as teeth whitening and other treatments to give everyone comfort and confidence when smiling. At the Dental Spa, their goal is to make the world a better place, one huge smile at a time.