If you are looking to change your smile and restore it to its former brightness then you may want to look into professional teeth whitening treatments and if they are suitable for you. Here, our Fort St. John dentists talk about professional teeth whitening treatments, what to expect and who may benefit from this service.
If you have been thinking about how dull your teeth are and considering having your teeth whitening then you may also be wondering if your teeth are healthy enough for this procedure. Along with the answer to this question, there are a few other things you should consider when it comes to professional teeth whitening.
Is professional teeth whitening the right choice for you?
Before you even schedule your teeth whitening appointment, you will need to have a complete oral exam with your dentist. At this visit your dentist will perform a full examination of your teeth and look for any signs of thinning or weakened enamel, or tooth decay which can cause complications during teeth whitening. In the event that your dentist spots any issues that may result in teeth whitening not being recommended for you, they will offer other cosmetic treatments to help restore the appearance of your smile.
Teeth whitening is ideal for people who have no fillings or other dental restorations, have healthy teeth, and only want to brighten up yellowing teeth.
What happens during the process of whitening your teeth?
For your teeth whitening procedure, there will be a tooth-safe bleach applied to the surface of your teeth, avoiding the gums as much as possible. While this is typically considered a safe procedure, there is a risk of minor irritation if the solution comes into contact with the gums. This should relieve itself relatively quickly. Once treatment is complete and this has been removed then the sensitivity should subside. As for which results you might realistically expect, dental teeth bleaching can only offer a change in colour from gray to a lighter shade of gray, for example.
One thing to consider is that each and every patient will have different results and the results are never guaranteed. If you have any dental restorations such as crowns, they will not respond to whitening; they will remain the same colour as before.
Along with your take-home teeth whitening kit, we will provide one extra vial of whitening gel, which can be used for your first touch-up. You will have your custom-fitted mouthguard to be used during treatment which you can continue to purchase vials of solution for as needed.
Is the teeth whitening procedure safe?
Regardless of how healthy your teeth are, our Fort St. John dentist recommends visiting for a checkup and cleaning once every six months (the frequency of your visits depends on your at-home oral hygiene routine and the general condition of your teeth and gums). You can help keep your newly whitened teeth bright with daily brushing and flossing.