White teeth are the key to a brighter smile. Therefore, if you have dull and yellowed teeth, you may want to consider going for a tooth whitening procedure. However, before you do that, you will want to know a few things first. Knowing what to expect or how the treatment works will help you understand whether or not you're a good candidate or how you can get the most out of the procedure. With that in mind, here are a few key things worth knowing about teeth whitening.
Your Options
There are various teeth whitening options to consider. However, not every option will work for you, and your dentist will consider the type of discolouration you have before recommending the most ideal option. Some of the common options include whitening toothpaste, whitening strips, whitening mouthwashes and bleaching. Each of these methods has its pros and cons, varies in duration treatment, costs differently, is administered differently and is ideal for different levels of tooth discolouration. Toothpaste, strips and mouthwashes are usually the cheapest and are ideal for mild staining.
Bleaching, on the other hand, is designed for more severe tooth staining. The bleaching can be done at home or in-office at the dentist. Teeth bleaching involving whitening solution is cost-effective, but you will need more than one visit. If you need a quick method of whitening your teeth, consider laser bleaching where a whitening gel and a laser are used. It's expensive but its effects are noticeable immediately, and a single visit to the dentist is enough.
Existing Dental Issues
It's imperative that you treat any dental issues you may have first before you consider tooth whitening. That's because the procedure works best for healthy teeth. Therefore, make sure you take care of conditions such as gum disease and cavities before you consider whitening your teeth.
Side Effects
Expect some level of tooth sensitivity after a tooth whitening procedure. However, you don't have to be worried because the sensitivity will often be mild and brief. In fact, in most cases, over-the-counter medication and avoiding cold and hot drinks will keep the sensitivity at bay. If you have a tooth sensitivity problem prior to the treatment, your dentist may recommend a take-home tooth whitening kit instead of an in-office treatment. The whitening gel in-home whitening kits often contains small doses of the active whitening ingredient that usually causes the sensitivity.
You may also experience gum irritation but only if the whitening gel comes into contact with your gums. This can sting for a couple of hours, and the gums may also appear discoloured, but you should be fine after a day or so. However, remember to always contact your dentist if the sensitivity or gum irritation is too sharp and painful.
Share21 September 2018
Hi! My name is Sarah, and as a busy professional, I understand the importance of making the most of my time. That includes everything from having productive working lunches to making the most of my dental checkups. I have created this blog to help you maximise your dental checkups. In these posts, you can learn how to prepare for your checkup, which questions to ask during your checkup and more. I am also going to have posts explaining why checkups are critical to your dental health as well as the health of your entire body. Happy reading, and thanks for visiting my blog!
