You’ve decided it’s time to talk to your dentist about whitening your teeth. However, you’re unsure it’s right for you. Will it really make your smile as radiant as you hope?
Many factors – controllable and uncontrollable – influence tooth whitening. For that reason, actual results will vary by dental patient. Here are three factors that you should consider and discuss with your Care Dental Camberwell cosmetic dentist before deciding on tooth whitening.
Current Color of Your Teeth
When it comes to whitening your teeth, where you start has a lot to do with where you end up. It is a well-documented fact that yellowish teeth respond better to whitening than grayish or brownish teeth. The grayish color is generally caused by medications, such as tetracycline, whereas the brownish hue commonly occurs due to too much fluoride use.
However, even between dental patients with a yellowish color to their teeth there can be differences in level of whitening. Experts believe that each person has their own unique whitening level.
Regardless, to get the best results have your Care Dental Camberwell dentist clean your teeth before starting any whitening treatment. Otherwise, surface stains may affect the results.
Tooth Whitening Process Utilized
As we mentioned in our previous post, “Make Your Smile Shine with Tooth Whitening,” there are three basic tooth-whitening processes. Each uses a whitening agent. However, the percentage of whitening agent used varies.
Specifically, the higher the concentration of whitening agent used, the faster the results. That’s why over-the-counter treatments take longer and fade faster. They utilize a lower level of whitening agent. However, a higher concentration also means a greater risk of tooth and gum sensitivity.
Therefore, it’s important to speak with your Care Dental Camberwell cosmetic dentist prior to any tooth-whitening treatment. Additionally, follow all procedures according to directions including how to apply the agent and how long to leave it on. This will help minimize any risks.
Oral Habits Afterwards
Once you’ve completed your whitening treatment, that’s not the end. To maintain a healthy, bright smile requires maintenance.
Just like before your whitening treatment, it’s important to thoroughly brush and floss your teeth. That includes brushing at least twice and flossing at least once daily. Additionally, you’ll need to visit your Care Dental Camberwell dentist on a regular basis to get a professional cleaning. This will help you keep your smile looking good longer.
Finally, watch what you eat and drink. Acidic or dark food and drink such as citrus, tea, coffee, and wine can stain and erode your teeth. So can tobacco products and chewing on foreign objects like the tip of a pencil. Think before you put something in your mouth. Don’t destroy the beauty of your smile.