Have you never been happy with the color of your teeth and want to try teeth whitening? If so, you likely have some questions about this cosmetic dentistry procedure so that you can know more about it.
What Makes You a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
It is always best to meet with a cosmetic dentist to find out if you would be a good candidate for teeth whitening. There are a few things that may disqualify you right away, such as if you are pregnant or nursing. However, there are a list of other possible conditions that can prevent you from having teeth whitening performed, such as if you have teeth with cracked enamel, are using drugs that cause photosensitivity, or have been diagnosed with melanoma. If you pass the health screener and an examination from your dentist, they'll recommend you are a good candidate for teeth whitening.
Does It Matter If You Have Not Had a Teeth Cleaning in a While?
If you are not happy with the color of your teeth due to poor hygiene or not getting regular cleanings, know that this will be a problem. Your cosmetic dentist will require that you have clean teeth in order to have a whitening procedure done. You'll likely need to schedule a cleaning to be done, and you should realize that it will likely take normal than usual to do if it has been several years since your last cleaning.
How Long Will Whitening Take?
Many whitening procedures use peroxide in order to whiten your teeth. Stronger peroxide is going to cause faster results, but you can expect to pay more money to have the procedure done. For example, buying whitening strips at your local pharmacy will be an affordable option, but can take several months to start seeing results. In-office whitening is going to be more costly, but will use a higher concentration of peroxide and provide faster results.
Will Teeth Whitening Cause Sensitivity?
Many patients report feeling sensitivity when using a stronger peroxide to whiten their teeth. This means that the in-office whitening procedure could end up causing more discomfort immediately after the procedure. Thankfully, sensitivity goes away over time and your teeth will eventually feel normal. It also helps to use a toothpaste designed for people with sensitive teeth during the whitening treatment to help deal with sensitivity.
Speak with your cosmetic dentist for more information on whitening treatments.
If you are tired of coming down with dental problems, the problem might not be your toothpaste. Instead, it could be your habits tied to your dental care. Aggressive brushers, people who have a tendency to forget, and even people who are flossing improperly could be left with serious dental issues, which is why it really pays to focus on mastering the small things. From moving forward with a better brushing routine to doing what you can to identify and resolve ongoing decay, making your dental health a priority is instrumental in preventing pain and added budgetary strains. Check out this blog to find out more.