What Does Professional Teeth Whitening Entail?

There are many options for teeth whitening around us. You can walk into your local pharmacy and get whitening toothpaste, gels, or strips for teeth whitening at home. There are other methods that one may call natural teeth whitening methods. Of all these systems, professional teeth whitening has proven to be the best teeth whitening system in terms of outcome. In this article, we will tell you what you can expect when going for professional teeth whitening.

Professional teeth whitening is that which is performed under the supervision of a dentist. You can expect the best results in a relatively short period of treatment. This is because the whitening products used here are stronger than what you will obtain anywhere else. Combined with the expertise of your dentist, your teeth will get many shades whiter with treatment. Another reason to get professional teeth whitening is the precautionary measures that professionals take. The procedure is not all that complicated but proficiency is needed to avoid gum injury.

What Does The Procedure Entail?

Each treatment will last anywhere within an hour to two. The first step is to take a record of the current shade of your teeth. This will allow for outcome comparison. The teeth need to be cleaned and polished next and pumice is used for this. It removes plaques. To keep your teeth dry, your mouth will be packed with gauze. Your dentist may use retractors to keep your cheeks, lips, and tongue away from the whitening solution.

Your gumline also needs protection from the whitening solution and a barrier is used for this. The next step begins with the whitening proper. The teeth are coated with a whitening solution on the front. Whitening solutions are mainly made of carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, and both are potent bleaching agents. After this, a curing light or laser is used to activate the peroxide and the solution is left for 30-60 minutes for action.

After the whitening solution has completed its job, it is rinsed off. This completes one treatment. However, one treatment is often not enough for the desired shade and you will need to go in for other appointments.

You should also know that you don’t need to go to the dentist’s office for professional whitening. They can help you make custom-fit trays to fit into your mouth. All you need to do is add a gel to it and wear the tray 30 minutes to 1 hour a day or as recommended by your dentist. You will do this for a few weeks.

After The Procedure?

Your dentist will advise you on what to do. Regular brushing and flossing are always important. For the next 24 hours after treatment, avoid foods or beverages like coffee, tea, tomato sauce, tomato juice, yellow mustard, beets, black grapes, candies, and red wine. No form of tobacco should be taken too.

Are There Any Risks?

With in-office whitening, the incidence of risks is very low. Teeth sensitivity is a common problem with the whitening solution. However, a fluoride application during the procedure helps to ease any symptoms. Your dentist will also recommend that you continue to treat at home with potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride-containing gels. Normally, the symptoms diminish with time and you may not experience it after your second treatment.

Gum irritation is another side effect. For this to happen, the whitening solution must have contact with your gums. Your dentist will prevent this with a barrier during treatment. After treatment, the irritation will go away.

Note that teeth whitening is not a permanent process. It all depends on how well you can manage the whitened teeth. Acts like rinsing your mouth or brushing your teeth after eating or drinking matter.

You’ll need to talk to your dentist about how to unify the color of your teeth if you have implants, crowns, bridges, or dentures. Professional whitening is for natural teeth only.