If you have a significant event coming up like a family celebration, a job interview, a first day, or some other momentous occasion, it’s natural to want to look your very best. That said, one of the first things others notice about you is the quality of your smile. You might not make a good impression if yours is covered in stubborn stains.
Fortunately, your dentist can provide professional teeth-whitening to brighten your grin, but they must examine your mouth to ensure it’s cavity-free first. Continue reading to learn more about why this step is so important!
Can I Lighten My Teeth with Store-Bought Products?
Several commercial brands sell whitening toothpaste, strips, and gels at various stores and pharmacies. Although these products claim to lighten your smile, plenty of people struggle to achieve their desired results. Not only do these products contain diluted bleaching agents, but they usually also have one-size-fits-all trays that can lead to application errors. Many people have accidentally overused store-bought options and developed tooth sensitivity.
Thankfully, your dentist can provide a personal take-home kit containing professional-grade whiteners designed to maximize the outcome while minimizing potential discomfort. They also include custom-fitted trays made just for you to comfortably achieve the perfect hue from your living room.
How Does Professional Teeth-Whitening Work?
Most ultra-concentrated gels contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which chemically interacts with your saliva to oxidize the pigment on your enamel. Essentially, the bleach breaks down darkly tinted particles into smaller, less concentrated molecules to reduce your dental discoloration.
Typically, you wear the application trays with the whitening gel for 45 minutes to an hour daily and can start seeing results within a week or two.
Why Must I Have a Clean Mouth for Professional Whitening?
Not only does your provider have access to premium supplies, but they’ll also examine your mouth before providing top-quality bleaching gels. While you might think it’s unnecessary to have your teeth checked first, this preventative step ensures no issues could interfere with your results.
For instance, it’s possible to have cavities in places you can’t see when you’re brushing your teeth at home, like behind your molars or between them. You might not even know you have a problem, but if you were to apply bleach over an area of decay, you’d likely experience a sudden and severe pain. It wouldn’t be the first time someone did so and needed an emergency appointment to address their discomfort. Meanwhile, your dentist will provide a tooth-colored filling to mend the damage before applying whitener.
If you want to brighten your grin without harming your oral health, the best way to begin is by calling your dentist for a teeth whitening consultation!
About the Author
Dr. Shelly Strohman has 13+ years of experience providing a comprehensive array of services to people of all ages. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery at the UMKC School of Dentistry and is a valued member of the American Dental Association, so you know your smile is in good hands. Plus, her family-friendly practice is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to increase patient comfort while delivering accurate, long-lasting results. If you’d like a customized whitening kit, you can request an appointment on the website or call (940) 613-0299.