Ready to Whiten?: How to Prepare for a Professional Teeth Whitening
When asked, most people admit to wanting whiter teeth.
Professional teeth whitening is one of the best ways to improve your appearance and self-esteem. When compared to home kits it’s faster, easier, and more effective.
Use this guide to make your teeth whitening experience as comfortable and effective as possible.
Get a Checkup & Cleaning
The first thing to do before having your teeth professionally whitened is to get a cleaning and checkup. Whitening can greatly improve the appearance of your smile but it takes a back seat to actual health concerns.
Before you have them whitened you need to make sure they’re healthy. Your dentist will check for things like gum disease, tooth decay, or existing cavities.
Once you have a clean bill of health you’re ready for a full cleaning. This helps to remove any plaque, tartar, or surface stains before the actual procedure. Teeth whitening is much more effective on very clean teeth.
Your dentist will also be able to tell if you have any existing conditions that would prohibit teeth whitening. It’s always better to find out you aren’t a good candidate at a cleaning rather than a whitening appointment.
Choose a Shade for Professional Teeth Whitening
When getting your teeth whitened you can choose from a huge variety of shades. The best way to prepare is to find your current shade and identify your goal shade.
This gives you a baseline for your teeth and helps you understand how big a change you want. Going up several shades in whiteness will make a huge change to your appearance but it does take time.
Depending on the type of stains or discoloration on your teeth you’ll have more or less effective whitening. Intrinsic stains, or those found below the enamel, are much more difficult to whiten. Extrinsic stains, those above the enamel, can usually be removed without issue.
One thing to keep in mind is that any existing dental work you have, such as crowns or veneers, won’t be affected by teeth whitening.
Desensitize Your Teeth
If you have sensitive teeth or gums you’ll probably experience discomfort from tooth whitening. The best way to limit this is through the use of a desensitizing toothpaste like Sensodyne.
Other ways to desensitize your teeth include:
- Avoiding Acidic Foods
- Limiting Mouthwash Use
- Brushing More Gently
Following these steps for a few weeks before having your teeth whitened will make for a better experience overall. If you’re a fan of more natural approaches you can also try swishing salt water, drinking warm tea with honey, and avoiding cold foods and drinks.
Whiten Your Teeth, Change Your Life
The number of people seeking professional teeth whitening services is rising every year, and with good reason. Having brighter, whiter teeth is one of the easiest and most obvious changes you can make to improve your appearance. The speed and effectiveness of modern techniques make it more attractive than ever.
Get in touch today to find out more about in-office teeth whitening or request a free consultation.