Guide to Professional Teeth Whitening Procedures

Professional teeth whitening treatments can get you the white teeth that you desire. It is a non-invasive way to whiten teeth and works well on the typical types of stains found on teeth, like those caused by foods and beverages, thinning enamel due to aging, and smoking. Most patients are able to reach their desired shade of white after a single whitening treatment, but a few might require multiple treatments to reach the target color.

How professional teeth whitening works

Professional teeth whitening involves applying whitening products that contain bleaching agents, like hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen carbamide, to the patient's teeth. These chemicals react with stains in the inner and outer layers of teeth, lifting them away.

The first step toward getting professional teeth whitening is a consultation with a dentist. The chemicals used to bleach teeth can temporarily weaken enamel, which is typically not an issue when the patient's teeth are healthy. Such patients would only deal with temporary teeth sensitivity that goes away after a few days.

However, when a patient has existing dental issues, like tooth decay or gum disease, the chemicals in the bleaching product can irritate their damaged gum tissues and teeth, leading to pain, irritation, and permanent damage to teeth in some cases. Therefore, dentists typically recommend addressing existing dental issues before moving forward with whitening treatments.

After clearing them for teeth whitening, the dentist might take an impression of the patient's teeth. Then, the impression is sent to a dental lab that makes customized trays for teeth whitening. These trays allow dentists to apply bleaching agents evenly on the patient's teeth.

Preparing for the treatment

Patients can prepare for their teeth whitening treatment by brushing their teeth and using lip balm to moisturize their lips. This is because patients will be unable to moisturize their lips by licking them during treatment.

The dentist might recommend cleaning the patient's teeth before their whitening treatment. Tartar builds up on teeth over time, and teeth cleanings are needed to eliminate it. The bleaching agents used to whiten teeth do not always penetrate tartar, leading to uneven whitening.

Teeth whitening

The dentist starts by noting the shade of the patient's teeth. The oral professional will then help the patient select a shade of white that works for them. Generally speaking, anything a few shades lighter than the white of the patient's eyes can produce unnatural results.

The dentist will then spread the whitening product on the customized mouth tray and have the patient bite down on it for 60 to 90 minutes. The patient's teeth will be significantly whiter after the treatment. Patients might experience increased teeth sensitivity after their treatment. That should go away after a few days.

Frequently asked questions about teeth whitening

Ready to transform the appearance of your smile with teeth whitening treatment? Let us go over the answers to some of the questions you might have:

1. Are teeth whitening treatments safe?

Absolutely. Teeth whitening treatments are safe when performed by a dentist. The procedure stresses teeth, but dentists take extra steps, like providing patients with custom mouth trays to minimize the risk of complications.

Dentists also examine a patient's teeth and gums before performing teeth whitening treatments. Issues like gum disease and tooth decay increase the risk of complications, so they are typically treated before proceeding with teeth whitening treatments.

Over-the-counter whitening treatments are a different story since it is up to the individual to administer them properly. Unfortunately, people often use these products on teeth with existing problems, leading to complications like tooth pain and damage to teeth and gum structures.

2. How long do the results of teeth whitening treatments last?

How long the results of teeth whitening treatments last depends on how well the individual takes care of their teeth. For instance, people who smoke or drink coffee regularly will pick up new stains faster than those who deliberately avoid foods, drinks, and habits that can stain their teeth.

Oral hygiene also affects how long the results of teeth whitening last. Brushing teeth twice a day helps to prevent the formation of new stains. Using whitening toothpaste or rinses once a week helps to remove surface stains. People who get teeth whitening treatments can preserve the appearance of their teeth by getting maintenance treatment once a year to keep their teeth looking pearly white. 

We whiten teeth regularly

Ready for a brighter smile? Call or visit our Turlock clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist.

Please request an appointment here: https://www.kingdentistry.com or call King Dentistry at (209) 585-1474 for an appointment in our Turlock office.

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