Having a brighter smile is perhaps the most frequently sought after form of cosmetic dentistry treatment, and for good reason since it is relatively fast, non-invasive, and the effects are immediate. With all the home-based treatments that you can buy from supermarkets to charcoal toothpaste, it’s often difficult to tell which is effective, which is safe, and which is just marketing ploy. In this article, here are some things that you need to know about whitening your teeth.
Why Professional Whitening Beats DIY Kits
There are some OTC whitening solutions in the form of strips, whitening pens and whitening toothpaste. These will only give you a little bit of help, because, in order to make them safe for use, manufacturers create such formulas that contain low concentrations of the active whitening agent. Besides, such products will not give even application because the strip or the tray is not made according to the shape of your teeth.
Whitening treatment offered by professional Canberra dentists utilizes high-concentration whitening agent. The treatment is done while the dentist supervises it and your gums are protected. Thus, professional treatment gives faster, more predictable and even results. Plus, the dentist can examine your teeth in order to decide whether you need this treatment.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe? What to Know
Professional or at-home bleaching treatments are usually done with a bleaching agent containing peroxide that helps remove stains from your enamel. If it’s done properly, then it’s regarded as a relatively safe cosmetic treatment for healthy adults. Having said that, sensitivity in the days after treatment is usual, and not all patients are candidates for it; some with existing dental restorations like crowns or veneers will notice that the whitening effects will not be evenly distributed between their teeth and restorations.
This is precisely why the pre-whitening consultation is necessary. With this, your dentist can identify any problems that may need to be taken care of first before considering bleaching treatments.
What to Expect From a Professional Whitening Treatment
The basic procedure for a chairside whitening consists of an initial examination, protection of the gums, and applying the whitening product to the teeth for a period of time with the aid of special lights to activate the process. In most cases, one can notice an improvement in only one session; however, the extent of whitening will depend on your individual tooth color and what is causing it.
Other dental clinics provide at-home whitening systems, including a specially made tray and gel that you need to apply at home over a period of two weeks.
How to Find the Right Dentist for It
Since whitening incorporates both elements of cosmetology and actual oral care, it might make sense to consider this procedure more carefully and not choose a provider based solely on the cost of services offered. It is important to seek out a provider who is capable of assessing the condition of your teeth and gums before offering any services and who provides honest information regarding the outcome and after-care of such procedures, including potential sensitivity. If you are interested in seeking out one of the best dentists in Canberra, cosmetic whitening included, consider scheduling a consultation appointment first.
The Bottom Line
There’s no doubt that the procedure will make a real difference to your smile; however, the best effects are achieved through customized treatment rather than over-the-counter kits available at the nearest supermarket. In order to see what’s possible and how the treatment is done, a brief discussion will be enough.
