If you have stained or discoloured teeth you may be considering a whitening treatment. Before you whiten your teeth, you should book a consultation with our Surrey dentists to ensure you are a good candidate.
Whitening is a great way to enhance the appearance of your teeth. A brighter, whiter smile can help you reveal a more confident grin. That said, before you apply the first whitening strip, there are some things you should know before bleaching your teeth. While most people can whiten their teeth without issue, there are a few scenarios in which your dentist may recommend against whitening, such as patients with thin or weakened tooth enamel. Your dentist will be able to tell you if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening.
Am I a good candidate for teeth whitening?
If you are considering teeth whitening, your first step will be to schedule a consultation with your dentist. They will check your teeth for any signs of weakened or thinning enamel, excessive plaque build-up, or tooth decay that may impact the results of whitening treatment. We may also discourage bleaching and recommend other treatment methods such as porcelain veneers if you have periodontal disease or very sensitive teeth.
Individuals with healthy gums and unrestored teeth (with no fillings) whose teeth have yellow tones are the best candidates for teeth whitening.
What should I expect from teeth whitening treatment?
While bleaching has been proven to be safe and effective, keep in mind that some patients may experience slight tooth sensitivity or irritation of the gums, which should resolve itself once treatment ends.
Your results will largely depend on the colour your teeth were to begin with. While patients with severely discoloured teeth will see a lightening effect, their teeth might not be as white after treatment as someone with only mild discolouration.
Remember that results vary with each patient and visible restorations such as crowns or bridges will not respond to whitening and will remain the same colour as they were previously.
After bleaching your teeth with one of our cosmetic kits, you will typically have at least one vial of bleaching gel remaining from your initial course of treatment. This can be used to "touch up" your smile and you can continue to purchase vials of bleaching gels as needed to use with your custom mouth guard. You can typically expect to need a touchup treatment once per year.
Consistent Oral Hygiene Preserves Smiles Best
Regardless of how healthy your teeth are, our dentists always recommend making a visit to the dentist for a checkup and cleaning once every six months to help maintain your oral health. Combining a solid at-home oral care routine with consistent dental visits is the best way to preserve your white smile and keep oral health issues at bay.