Teeth whitening is a very popular process that does just what you might think – it makes one’s teeth whiter and more radiant. This has made it one of the most popular processes for patients who are determined to regain the best in their smile. Below we cover 5 questions to ask your dentist about teeth whitening.
However, like any other dental process, you have the potential to maximize the benefits of your teeth whitening process by being involved in the process. Knowing what to ask can help guide you through the process.
5 Questions to Ask Your Dentist About Teeth Whitening
If you have a teeth whitening session planned, then take a look at this overview of some of the best questions to ask your dentist in order to make the most of your procedure.
1. What are the Risks of Teeth Whitening?
Knowing the risks surrounding any procedure can only improve your chances of being satisfied with your procedure. The good news is that with teeth whitening, there’s very little pain or discomfort that’s associated at all with the procedure.
Teeth whitening is non-surgical, and your dentist will apply anesthetic and protective agents to your teeth prior to any work being done. However, store-bought whitening agents have the potential to cause mild tissue burns if applied incorrectly. This is why professional in-office cleanings are considered preferable.
2. What’s the Difference Between In-Office Teeth Whitening and Store-Bought Kits?
There are many store-bought whitening kits that are of relatively high quality. However, many of these kits still have the potential to trigger tooth sensitivity or damage one’s teeth entirely. It’s somewhat hard to predict on a personal level what kinds of products will trigger these kinds of abnormalities in a patient. In this way, it’s unfortunately a bit of a roll of the dice whenever you purchase a store-bought kit of teeth whitening products.
On the other hand, using in-office teeth whitening services is more predictable and dependable, generally speaking. In addition, they don’t require much of a time commitment, even compared to store-bought treatments. Many treatments can be completed in under an hour. In-office dental whitening also has the potential to last for quite a long time. Many patients experience whiter teeth from between 6 months and 2 years.
3. How White Should My Teeth Be After the Treatment?
Your dentist will determine the level of whitening for the patient. But you can influence the level that they select by expressing your preference. Together, you’ll be able to select the right level of whiteness for your situation.
Many patients desire the whitest level of teeth that they can imagine. However, this ultimately isn’t what will look the best in any given patient. There is a craft to match a patient’s teeth to their complexion. This is typically the best choice for a patient. Over all things, the goal is to keep one’s appearance as natural as possible.
In addition, one should keep in mind that the overall results of a teeth whitening process have the potential to be highly variable depending on the level of staining that a patient has incurred prior to the treatment. Keeping these facts in mind has the potential to give you a stronger sense of purpose going into your teeth whitening session.
4. Will Braces or Other Dental Restorations Interfere with Teeth Whitening?
In general, it is recommended that a patient completes their orthodontic treatments prior to receiving teeth whitening. Braces,, in particular,, have the potential to interfere with a patient’s teeth whitening due to the fact that the brackets of the braces might block the teeth-whitening substances.
This can result in a splotchy or uneven appearance to your final results. In addition, teeth whitening doesn’t work on artificial teeth fixtures such as veneers, crowns, bridges, and fillings. You should take this into account if you have any of these types of fixtures installed, as it may alter the appearance of your overall results.
5. What Causes Dental Discoloration?
There are many different plausible sources for teeth discoloration. Anything from consuming tobacco products to consuming too much sugar can be a culprit. Common substances such as coffee and tea can also impact the overall sheen of one’s teeth. Avoiding these substances will increase the longevity of both your natural teeth and your teeth whitening results.
The Top Dentist in Desert Hot Springs
Shodhan Dentistry is one of the top destinations for teeth whitening in Southern California. If you’re interested in talking with one of our dentists about scheduling a teeth whitening in Desert Hot Springs, contact us today in order to schedule an appointment.
