Attending your first teeth whitening appointment can be daunting – especially if you are the type of person who would usually avoid the dentist at all costs! There’s no need to be nervous, however. The procedure is non-invasive, painless, and simple plus it achieves fantastic results. Let’s take a closer look at what is involved in the whitening process and how you can best prepare for your first appointment.
Consulting With Your Dentist
Before the procedure, your dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums to ensure that you are a good candidate for – and will benefit from – teeth whitening. This will include discussing your lifestyle habits (for example, whether you are a smoker or consume red wine or coffee frequently) and oral hygiene practices. Your dentist will also check whether you have any previous dental work – such as crowns – which may impact the efficacy of the treatment.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
The procedure usually takes only an hour to complete. It involves the application of a liquid gel to your teeth, followed by a special light treatment that activates the whitening agent in the gel quickly to achieve immediate results.
Typically, Zoom or Brite Smile gels are used. Each gel requires a slightly different process, but generally, the gel is applied two to three times in the hour-long appointment to allow for even the most stubborn discoloration to be treated.
Both the gel and the light treatment are perfectly safe for human use. Rarely, minor discomfort may result from the minimal heat emitted by the light treatment.
How Do I Prepare for my Whitening Appointment?
The appointment is relatively quick and simple and does not require much preparation on your part. That said, there are a few steps you can take to ensure maximum results and minimum discomfort after your appointment
Teeth Cleaning
It is strongly recommended that you first undergo a comprehensive dental cleaning before your appointment, as the whitening gel will achieve optimum results on teeth that have been thoroughly cleaned beforehand.
Ideally, you should book professional teeth cleaning with your dentist or oral hygienist immediately before your teeth whitening appointment to properly prepare your teeth for the procedure Of course, don’t forget to brush and floss thoroughly before the procedure.
Reduce The Risk of Increased Sensitivity
You may find that your teeth are more sensitive in the hours immediately following the procedure, but this side effect should disappear within a day or two. Some patients find that their teeth are more sensitive after the procedure for longer periods.
If you are prone to tooth sensitivity, you should consider using a desensitizing toothpaste (such as Sensodyne) two weeks before your appointment and for a few weeks thereafter.
You might also request that your dentist apply a professional desensitizing treatment to your teeth immediately before the whitening treatment.
Get Ready to Relax!
You may wish to listen to music or a podcast while the gel is getting to work, so consider whether you’d like to bring your earphones or earphones with you to the appointment. Get ready to sit back, relax, and let the gel do what it does best.
Does The Procedure Require After-care?
One of the main advantages of in-office teeth whitening is that it is a remarkably quick procedure. But the whitening process doesn’t end there: your dentist will give you a personally customized tray (a device that fits in your mouth around your teeth) and extra whitening gel should you wish to periodically ‘top-up’ your whitening treatment at home.
The take-home trays are an important aspect of after-care, as you can protect the results of your whitening treatment by preventing discoloration from building up again. This is particularly important if you intend to continue certain lifestyle habits (such as smoking or drinking coffee) after your treatment.
Teeth Whitening Services In Boynton Beach
If you’re still considering whether teeth whitening is the right procedure for you, consult your local Boynton Beach dentist to find out more at 561-733-4004. Whiter teeth make for a brighter smile, and a brighter smile makes for a happier you!