Teeth Whitening
What Is Teeth Whitening?
A smile is something you can give away all your life and receive an infinite return on investment. It’s one of the first things people notice about you. And if your smile isn’t performing at its peak abilities, a lot of feelings of insecurity can crop up. If you’re currently struggling to show your teeth, talk without consciously covering your teeth, or avoid selfies, you may want to consider teeth whitening services.
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure that helps lighten teeth that are discolored or stained with brown and yellow hues. It is popular because it is non-invasive, quick, and can have a tremendous effect on your smile immediately.
Restoring your teeth to a bright and beautiful smile can have a soul-boosting effect on your self-esteem. Unlike popular belief, yellow teeth are not just because of bad hygiene practices. Discoloration can result from certain medications taken at a young age, as well as fluorosis, which occurs when excessive fluoride is consumed during childhood.
No matter the reason, River’s Bend wants to give you the support and care you need. If you are thinking that teeth whitening services might be something you’d like to do, consider asking your teeth whitening specialist or Doctor Wimmergren at your next cleaning appointment. They will be more than happy to answer your questions.
River’s Bend Family Dental provides a wide range of dental procedures to make it convenient for your family to tend to all its dental needs.
Teeth Whitening Services Expectations
Teeth whitening services are non-invasive. For something to be so easy and quick to do to your teeth, it can have compounding effects on your smile and outlook on life. When you first see the potential of how bright your teeth can get, you may just be stunned by the results. At River’s Bend, we carry take-home bleaching kits that can either be pre-cut strips or custom-made trays. Below, we will talk more about the custom-made trays for at-home applications.
Remember to keep up with your regular hygiene appointments. The gentle polish and removal of stains and tartar will maintain your whitened teeth for a longer period of time.
Teeth Whitening Services Procedure
On the day you come in to make your custom whitening trays, your teeth whitening specialist will take a 3D impression scan of all your teeth. The impression is then sent to a professional lab to create your custom-fitted trays. Unlike over-the-counter strips and whitening products, custom trays create better and longer-lasting results by holding the whitening material in closer proximity to the tooth.
Once you get your custom trays back from the lab, the teeth whitening specialist or staff will go over specific directions for applying the whitening gel in the tray, including how long, how often, and what to look for during the teeth whitening services.
Reasons for Teeth Whitening
The most common reason teeth become stained or discolored is due to the foods and drinks we consume. Think about foods and beverages like wine, chocolate, tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, berries, coffee, and tea; these are typical in our day-to-day diets.
Another contributor to stained teeth is smoking and/or chewing. The yellow, gummy nicotine cakes onto teeth and builds up, giving them a deep yellow hue.
With whitening (paired with a good cleaning) you can see the results for yourself in how bright and attractive your smile can become.
Family Dentistry
At River’s Bend Family Dental, we create a comfortable environment to address the unique dental needs of your family.
Properly Caring for Your Teeth After Whitening
One of the biggest issues patients run into when whitening their teeth is post-operative sensitivity. And it’s no joke. If it persists, this sensitivity can be painful, debilitating, and even annoying.
The main reason for persistent sensitivity is often due to whitening at too high a concentration, for too long, or too frequently. If you experience unbearable sensitivity after whitening, the first step is to stop the applications and take a break. Allow your teeth time to rest and recover. When you resume whitening, apply the product for a shorter period than originally recommended. These simple adjustments can significantly reduce sensitivity and improve your whitening experience.
To maintain your whiter teeth, think about the types of foods and/or drinks you’re consuming. If you consume more stain-inducing foods and drinks like berries, tomatoes, wine, or pop, don’t expect your pearly whites to stay that way for long.
But there are no diet restrictions after whitening. If you do see your teeth yellowing again, consider doing another touch-up application of whitening with any unused product. If you have run out, let our staff and teeth whitening specialist know, and we’d be happy to resupply you with some fresh whitener.
Remember it’s still necessary to brush and floss twice daily and follow up with your regularly scheduled cleaning and exams. Understand that teeth whitening is not a permanent solution but can be maintained with healthy oral hygiene practices.