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Liking the way your teeth look plays a big role in your self-confidence. After all, your teeth are one of the first things people look at you. If you don’t like smiling and showing off your pearly whites, it may end up giving a cold and closed-off image to others. To avoid this, many patients look for the best cosmetic dentist in Fort Worth for help.
A common procedure is teeth whitening, which helps remove dental stains, diminish discoloration, and reduce the signs of aging in your teeth. However, certain factors are worth considering before getting your teeth whitened, and here are some of them.
5 Factors to Consider Before Getting Your Teeth Whitened
1. How The Whitening Process Works
The first thing to know about professional whitening is how the process works so you know what to expect. During it, the gums are covered with a protective gel, and the teeth are treated with a whitening agent—typically hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
This substance works by penetrating the enamel to remove discoloration and stubborn stains. To improve results, some treatments require using a special light to activate the whitening gel.
However, the outcome may differ depending on how your teeth appear initially. Patients with fluorosis, tetracycline staining, gray teeth, or other dental issues might not experience the dramatic effects of in-office whitening procedures.
2. Clean Teeth Will Whiten Better
Whitening is ineffective against plaque and tartar, so it is best to have clean teeth and healthy gums. For that reason, a professional teeth-whitening procedure will be more effective if you plan to have it done after having your teeth cleaned.
Your best bet is within a week or two of the cleaning. Additionally, using fluoridated toothpaste can help prepare your teeth for the whitening procedure by lowering possible sensitivity.
3. Restorations and Fillings Won't Whiten
The standard teeth-whitening procedure will not work on dental crowns or fillings. Before proceeding with the procedure, you must ascertain whether any restorations require replacement following whitening.
You should also consider the price because these replacements might incur additional costs.
4. Professional Whitening is Durable
Getting your teeth professionally whitened is technically a permanent procedure. However, your teeth will likely begin to discolor once more. To maintain the desired pearly color, it would be wise to whiten them once a year—but no more than that.
It’s important to measure how frequently you whiten your teeth, even if they appear discolored too soon. Frequent professional whitening won’t make a noticeable difference and can dry out your dental enamel, leaving teeth sensitive and chalky.
5. You May Want to Change Your Diet
Watch what you eat to maintain the results of your whitened teeth. Drinking coffee, tea, dark soda, red wine, or smoking will cause dental stains and discoloration, so try to avoid these—especially during the first 48 hours following the whitening process.
The results obtained during the first 48 hours are immediately lost because the dental tubules, or the tooth's pores, are still open and can absorb food and drink dyes just as readily as they could the peroxide solution used for teeth whitening.
Enjoy the Smile of Your Dreams with the Best Cosmetic Dentist in Fort Worth
Nowadays, there’s a wide variety of teeth whitening options, from whitening kinds of toothpaste to single-use strips. However, these over-the-counter options offer less noticeable results and will die down quicker than professional whitening.
Silver Sage Family Dentistry teeth may be for you if you’re interested in enjoying good results—carried out quickly and in a safe environment. Contact us today if you’d like to know whether or not this treatment is right for you!
