Living Through Premature Tooth Loss

« Back to Home

Ways To Increase The Success Of Your Teeth Whitening

Posted on

Many people would like to have whiter teeth, and some take it into their own hands to get a brighter smile. Since there are many potential outcomes of teeth whitening treatment, here are some steps that you can take to help guarantee a good outcome for yourself.

Go for a Professional Cleaning

First of all, skip the at-home teeth whitening options and go straight to your cosmetic dentist. The reason for this is that the chemicals they use are in much higher concentration, giving them a better success rate. The dentist can also use custom whitening trays so that your teeth are completely coated with whitening substance, where at home you might miss a spot if the gel strip isn't completely touching your tooth.

Have Your Dentist Evaluate Your Teeth First

Before you get any kind of teeth whitening service, have your dentist take a look to see if you are a good candidate. The stains that are easiest to lift with hydrogen peroxide are yellowish stains caused by normal wear and tear; if you have an unusual stain, such as grey stains from too much tobacco use, traditional teeth whitening procedures may not work as well.

Don't Get Teeth Whitened When You Have Bonding or Veneers

Another time when you may not want to get your teeth whitened would be if you have dental bonding or veneers present. If these teeth are currently pretty well blended with your natural smile, teeth whitening may make them stand out. The tooth whitening solution won't effect porcelain, so these teeth will remain the same color, while the color of your natural teeth will change.

Get a Dental Cleaning

If you do decide to get your teeth whitened at the dentist's office, it is a good idea to do a deep cleaning first. Your dentist will get off all the gunk collected on your teeth so that the hydrogen peroxide solution makes direct contact with the enamel. A deep cleaning plus professional whitening may take a few hours to complete, but when you're done, it will be well worth it.

Do Self Care to Prevent Recurring Stains

Finally, once you have whiter teeth, be sure to ask your dentist if there is anything that you can do to make sure the stains don't come back. They might be able to evaluate your diet or brushing habits for a cause of discolored teeth, but sometimes the problem is actually genetic or undetermined.

For more information, contact a dental office like Dental Associates of Arlington.


Share