One of the most common dental cosmetic procedures used today is teeth whitening. It’s been proven to tremendously improve the brightness of your teeth and the impact of your smile. It’s also effective in removing discoloration and stains.
Although the results can be instant, whitening your teeth is not a one-time procedure and may require monthly/yearly visits. After you’ve completed the whitening process, you will, among other things, benefit from:
- A beautiful and dazzling smile
- Better oral health
- A better feeling about yourself and higher self esteem
Risks associated with teeth whitening
The main drawback of getting your teeth whitened is that for a couple of days or months, you may experience some numbness or sensitivity. This can be easily treated with certain brands of dental products.
Alternatives to using whitening trays and whitening gel
A discussion with your dentist will help you determine whether you are a suitable candidate for using whitening trays. If not, the following options are still available for whitening your teeth:
- Accelerated whitening
- Porcelain veneers
- Cosmetic crowns
Your next step should be to meet with your dentist and discover which of these options is best for you.
Some facts about teeth whitening
- Does it really work?
Absolutely! Famous celebrities constantly whiten their teeth to achieve that clean, super-star look we all want! Teeth whitening has proven to safely and effectively renew thousands of smiles every day.
Of course, the brightness of your teeth will vary depending on the condition your teeth are in prior to the procedure, but a dramatic difference will definitely be seen.
- What options do I have to choose from?
There are two choices when choosing the best method to whiten your teeth; in-office or at-home whitening. With in-office teeth whitening, your gums and lips will be covered with a protective gel and your teeth will be lightly coated with a bleaching gel before the paste is activated with ultraviolet light.
A custom mold of your teeth and professional grade whitening solution is all you need for at-home whitening. When whitening your teeth at home, the full impact of the results will appear at the end of the whitening period, but the best results appear after about 10-14 days.
- Professional teeth whitening or drug store kit?
You can achieve whiter teeth using both methods, but typically, drug store kits do not have as much strength as professional grade whitening procedures. As a result, many patients’ teeth do not come out as bright when using the drug store kits.
- What if teeth whitening isn’t for me?
No problem! If you feel that professionally whitening your teeth is not the best method for you, talk with your dentist and discuss other options. In most situations, your dentist will review your case and offer alternative methods.
In cases where deep intrinsic stains exist, alternative methods such as porcelain veneers, accelerated whitening or cosmetic crowns are often suggested.
- How safe is teeth whitening?
Besides from a little more sensitivity to the teeth and some mild gum irritation, many dentists consider teeth bleaching the safest cosmetic procedure available today. Although the procedure is not considered harmful to the patient, pregnant women are advised to wait until they give birth before whitening their teeth due to the unknown effects on the fetus.
- Are there side effects?
The most common side effect is sensitivity to the teeth after the procedure. This side effect can be treated with time and toothpaste for alleviating the sensation.
What now?
As you can see, whitening your teeth can be very rewarding. A bright and beautiful smile can change the way others view you, as well as give you a better feeling about yourself. Whiten those teeth and give yourself another reason to smile!
