5 Things to Consider Before and After Teeth Whitening

A beautiful, bright smile is sought after by one and all. A clear bright and white smile makes a good impression on people you meet for the first time. It can also be a reason to boost your lowered self-confidence and esteem. However, with discoloured and stained teeth, most people become self-conscious and avoid smiling often when in public. Thanks to professional teeth whitening, you can now regain your esteem and the confidence to smile in public.

Professional teeth whitening at the dentist’s office can brighten your dull, discoloured teeth in just one session. However, you will need to take care of your whitened teeth using teeth whitening aftercare instructions from your dentist. 

How to Prepare for Teeth Whitening Procedure?

Teeth whitening procedures are quite simple and efficient. However, dental experts advise patients to take care of certain aspects before undergoing in-house teeth whitening at your dentist’s. If you have not visited the dentist in the past 6 months or more, you should book an appointment as soon as possible. It is recommended to schedule your dental check-up before making an appointment to see your dentist for teeth whitening. 

Similar to other forms of dental treatment, teeth whitening procedure also requires you to clean your teeth and gums and keep them healthy. It is also advisable to visit your dentist at least once every 3 months. This way, the dentist will be able to detect any teeth problems early on and provide you with the most effective treatment. Having dental restorations, such as veneers and crowns, should also be considered before teeth whitening. Artificial teeth will not get whitened with the procedure. In such cases, the dentist recommends whitening the natural teeth to match the colour of the artificial teeth. 

What to Expect During Teeth Whitening Procedure?

An in-house teeth whitening procedure usually involves several steps. These include:

• The dentist first uses a tooth shade chart to find the current shade of your teeth. They will let you know how many shades lighter you can expect your natural teeth to become after the whitening procedure. 
• The dentist will then use a pumice grinder to polish your teeth and remove any plaque. 
• The dentist will then use special tools which keep the mouth open. This helps to avoid splashing the whitening agent on your tongue, cheeks or gums during the whitening procedure. 
• The dentist will then smear the whitening agent carefully. The whitening agent is left on the tooth for at least an hour. This is also the step when the dentist will use light-activation technology, if needed, for your teeth whitening procedure. 
• In case the specific whitening agent needs to be applied multiple times, the dentist will reapply the agent. 
• Once the whitening procedure is complete, the dentist will help you rinse your mouth. The dentist may apply fluoride which helps to prevent any chance of teeth sensitivity. 
• The dentist will also instruct you on teeth whitening aftercare so that you can maintain the whiteness of your teeth for as long as possible. 

What are The 5 Things to Consider Before Teeth Whitening?

Now that you understand how teeth-whitening is done, let’s take a quick look at the top 5 things to consider before choosing to undergo a professional teeth whitening procedure. 

Teeth whitening may increase gum sensitivity

There is a risk of increased gum sensitivity following a teeth whitening procedure. Regardless of the specific method used, there is always a chance that the heat and chemicals used in the procedure may increase teeth and gum sensitivity. When your gums are already sensitive, then this problem may get even more pronounced.
To remedy this, you can choose to desensitise your teeth before undergoing a teeth whitening procedure. There are several different brands of desensitising toothpaste available in the market which can help you with this. These toothpastes contain special ingredients, such as strontium chloride and potassium nitrate that prevent transmitting of pain signals from the tooth nerves.

The teeth whitening procedure is a temporary solution

Dentists assure that the results of teeth whitening procedures can be seen for as long as 3 years. Still, the exact period differs according to a person’s eating habits. Artificially whitened teeth tend to get gradually discoloured with regular consumption of tea, coffee, red wine, tobacco chewing and smoking cigarettes.
You can ask your dentist for top-ups to ensure prolonged white teeth. This consists of a mouth-guard which helps to stick the whitening agent to the teeth. Your dentist can provide you with a suitable whitening agent to be used for applying teeth whitening top-ups at home. Also, remember to ask your dentist for any special instructions on handling and applying the teeth whitening agent at home.

Teeth whitening works only on real teeth

As mentioned before, whitening agents do not work on porcelain and other artificial teeth, such as crowns, dentures and veneers. Teeth whitening procedure only works on natural teeth. At times, a few days after a teeth whitening procedure, the front teeth fillings can be quickly changed because only your front teeth are more visible when you smile.

Teeth whitening procedure is best performed by dentists

It is strongly recommended to seek teeth whitening procedures from certified and trained dentists. These professionals can be dental hygienists or dental therapists with additional training and a Dental Council certificate for performing the dental treatment. These professionals perform dental whitening procedures under a dentist’s prescription only.
You can easily find numerous at-home teeth whitening kits in stores and online. However, it is not recommended to use these without the direct supervision of dental professionals. Professional teeth whitening services are strongly recommended at all times.

Teeth cleaning should be done before teeth whitening

It is highly advisable to keep your teeth clean before undergoing any type of dental treatment, including teeth whitening procedure. In case your teeth are covered with plaque or tartar, then the whitening agent may not be as effective. 

Conclusion

You need to remember that teeth-whitening is not a permanent solution. Still, you can use this procedure as a stepping stone towards better oral hygiene and take care of your teeth more carefully. Make sure to consult your dentist and get your queries resolved before undergoing the procedure. Following teeth whitening aftercare instructions is also vital to ensure prolonged results.