While teeth whitening is not an invasive procedure, you still need to consider the state of your teeth prior to saying yes. Here, your Surrey and Langley dentist shares some of the things to consider when it comes to the health of your teeth during teeth whitening treatments.
If you are looking to brighten your smile, teeth whitening may be right for you – if your teeth are healthy. That said, there are some things you should know before using your first whitening strip.
Your smile will need to be assessed by our dental teams in Surrey and Langley to confirm that your teeth are healthy enough to undergo whitening treatment. Here are some things that will affect your ability to use professional teeth whitening:
How will I know if teeth whitening is right for me?
If you are thinking about whitening your teeth, you'll first need to book a consultation with your Surrey and Langley dentist. At this visit your dentist will perform a full examination of your teeth and look for any signs of thinning or weakened enamel, or tooth decay which can cause complications during teeth whitening. We might also discourage bleaching and recommend other methods including porcelain veneers if you have very sensitive teeth or gum disease.
People with healthy, unrestored teeth (with no fillings) and gums but whose teeth have yellow tones are the best candidates for teeth whitening.
What will be the results of my teeth whitening treatment?
Bleaching has proven to be an effective, safe way to whiten teeth. However, remember that some patients can experience slight irritation of the gums or tooth sensitivity, which should disappear once treatment ends. As for which results you might realistically expect, dental teeth bleaching can only offer a change in colour from gray to a lighter shade of gray, for example.
Note that each patient will experience varying results. Visible restorations such as a bridge or crown will not respond to whitening; they will remain the same colour as they were previously.
Along with your take-home teeth whitening kit, we will provide one extra vial of whitening gel, this can be used for your first touch-up. You can also keep purchasing vials of whitening gels as required to use with your personalized mouthguard.
How can I keep my teeth healthy during teeth whitening treatments?
Regardless of how healthy your teeth are, our Surrey and Langley dentist recommends visiting for a checkup and cleaning once every six months (the frequency of your visits depends on your at-home oral hygiene routine and the general condition of your teeth and gums). By being vigorous with both at-home dental care and routine professional dental care and cleanings you can help make the effects of your teeth whitening last.