After years of drinking and eating dark-colored foods and beverages and nicotine use, you may have stained and yellow teeth that can impact your smile and how you feel about yourself. While there are over-the-counter whitening products, not all work as promised. Instead of trying to fix your smile without knowledge, consider visiting a practice for family and cosmetic dentistry in Lakewood Ranch at the earliest. In this post, we are sharing more about teeth whitening procedures.
Types of teeth whitening treatments
Your dentist may consider in-office teeth whitening treatment if you have extreme stains. Before the treatment, you will have to see your dentist about the procedure and what you can expect in the results. If you have plaque and debris, your dentist will have to start with deep cleaning of your teeth. Using cheek retractors, they will expose your entire teeth surface and use a special product to minimize gum sensitivity. Next, they will apply a whitening gel and rinse off the same using dental tools.
The other option is a take-home teeth-whitening treatment, for which you will get custom trays and a bleaching agent. You will need to wear the trays for at least 30 minutes each day or as suggested by the dentist. Unlike in-office whitening procedures, this can take longer, often two weeks or more.
“Am I a good candidate for teeth whitening?”
Your dentist is the best person to answer that question. If you have extrinsic stains from smoking and food habits, you can consider most types of teeth whitening. However, if the discoloration is related to medications or other causes, your dentist can recommend options like veneers, which are great for some patients.
Other facts to know
No matter what type of teeth whitening procedure you choose, you wouldn’t experience pain. However, some patients may experience sensitivity, which should subside in a few days. Keep in mind that the results from teeth whitening are not permanent. If you continue using nicotine and consuming products that can cause staining of the enamel, you will have to return to the clinic for a touch-up.
Final word
There’s no denying that teeth whitening can give you dramatic results. You can always consider talking to your dentist about the other cosmetic ways to enhance your smile, which include veneers and dental bonding. Discuss the outcome and ask for before and after pictures to know more. You can check online for the best-rated clinics in Lakewood Ranch.
