{"id":2563,"date":"2023-05-18T11:07:27","date_gmt":"2023-05-18T11:07:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/blog\/?p=2563"},"modified":"2023-10-30T01:32:47","modified_gmt":"2023-10-30T01:32:47","slug":"everything-you-need-to-know-about-professional-teeth-whitening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/blog\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-professional-teeth-whitening\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need To Know About Professional Teeth Whitening"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Everything<\/p>\n

Although it\u2019s natural for teeth to get a little yellowish and stained over time, wanting a brighter smile is an understandable desire. From cost to whether you want an in-office or at-home treatment, there\u2019s a lot to consider when it comes to teeth whitening. There are even some people for whom teeth whitening isn\u2019t advisable. So here\u2019s everything you need to know about professional teeth whitening.<\/span><\/p>\n

Are You An Ideal Candidate For Teeth Whitening?<\/b><\/h4>\n

Your dentist may perform a preliminary examination to check if professional teeth whitening would be a good option for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some things that may make your dentist recommend you against teeth whitening:<\/span><\/p>\n

Gum disease:<\/strong> If you have tender or receding gums, or any other gum disease<\/a><\/strong>, your dentist might focus on correcting these issues before considering teeth whitening.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sensitive teeth:<\/strong> Some people\u2019s teeth may be sensitive to the chemicals used for teeth whitening.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Certain types of stains:<\/strong> Teeth whitening cannot remove stains caused by injury, medication, or infections. Your dentist might suggest other cosmetic options<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dental work: <\/strong>If you have crowns, fillings, or caps, they might not whiten along with your natural teeth during the process. In that case, you could go for other options like veneers or bonding.<\/span><\/p>\n

So what should you expect during a professional teeth-whitening treatment?<\/span><\/p>\n

In-Office Teeth Whitening Treatment<\/b><\/h4>\n

For an in-office procedure, you might or might not have to see your dentist for multiple short appointments. It is one of the most common procedures, is safe, and provides results quickly with some commitment. You can also get teeth whitening done regularly during your cleaning appointments.<\/span><\/p>\n

The whitening agent is left on your teeth for 15-30 minutes, making it a relatively quick procedure. Multiple whitening treatments exist, including high-concentration hydrogen peroxide gels and hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide applications with high-intensity lights like UV or LED.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your teeth can be made up to eight shades lighter through an in-office teeth whitening procedure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how your teeth-whitening procedure will look step-by-step:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. A careful assessment by your dentist determines if teeth whitening is the right option to make your smile brighter. Your dentist might suggest alternative cosmetic procedures if you have gum diseases, crowns<\/a><\/strong>, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Your dentist will use a shade guide to determine the current color of your teeth before the treatment and will discuss with you your desired shade of teeth. The shade chart also helps notice the results after the treatment.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Plaque removal is a crucial step before beginning the treatment. It can be done using a pumice tool. The dentist will polish your teeth to remove any plaque for effective application. This cleaning is an added benefit of a teeth-whitening procedure.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Gum protection is essential before starting the procedure. A barrier is put by your gum line to prevent contact with the whitening agent.<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Your dentist props your mouth open using tools and will make your teeth as dry as possible for the application.<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Next, the actual application part begins. The whitening agent will be applied and left for the required time. Then a curing treatment like UV, halogen, or LED light speeds up bleaching.<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. Your mouth will be rinsed, and your dentist might apply fluoride to protect you from sensitivity post-treatment.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The appointment might end with you and your dentist discussing the oral care practices you\u2019ll need to put in place post-treatment and for the long term to avoid too much staining. They might suggest limiting foods that make your teeth extra susceptible to staining. Foods with darker pigment and acidic content can significantly contribute to teeth staining. Some of these foods and drinks are:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n