What Is Tooth Whitening?

When people talk about teeth whitening in Bronxville, NY, they are usually referring to professional dental whitening protocols in dentistry. They involve directly bleaching teeth’ enamel in a dental office. Such teeth whitening procedures are best performed by dentists. They have incredible results compared to natural at-home do-it-yourself teeth whitening approaches.

How Does Tooth Whitening Work?

Professional teeth whitening entails the use of special bleaching products that can remove intrinsic stains on teeth. The dentist is not just concerned about the surface stains. Therefore, (s)he will use whitening products that can break down stains in your tooth enamel, fading the appearance of tough stains.

The process begins with teeth cleaning. Your dentist will ensure that your teeth’ surfaces are free of food residues, plaque, and tartar. The next step entails coating your gums using a special gel, preventing bleachers from damaging the soft tissues. Afterward, (s)he will apply the whitening products directly to your teeth. Using a laser, the dentist will activate the bleaching process.

The bleachers usually contain complex oxygen molecules that can disintegrate the stains in your enamel. The laser speeds up the bleaching process. After a few seconds, the dentist will rinse off the whitening agents to check the progress of the whitening process. When necessary, (s)he will repeat the bleaching process about three or four times until you achieve your desired results.

What You Should Know Before You Get Whitened

As excited as you may be about earning a shiny white smile, you must take time to understand the details of the treatment. Some of the things you should know before you get your teeth whitened are:

1. It is not a painful experience – one of the many worries patients have is of experiencing dental pain during treatment. Teeth whitening does not entail any cutting, shaving, or sewing. The procedure is completely non-invasive, meaning you should not experience any pain. Therefore, dentists will only administer sedation dentistry to patients who struggle to sit still, have severe gag reflexes, or have crippling dental anxiety. Aside from that, you should be able to undergo teeth whitening without any medication in your system.
2. Have good oral health – teeth fractures and dental cavities may affect your teeth whitening treatment at Bronxville Dentistry: Michael Aviel DDS. It is why a dental exam is crucial before any dental protocol commences.
3. Pre-treatment teeth cleaning is crucial even though it is not mandatory. A deep cleaning session before your whitening treatment will help achieve better outcomes. Dentists may sometimes be firm on teeth cleaning first, especially if you have tartar. The reason is that plaque and tartar are the leading reasons for dental discoloration. Therefore, by cleaning your teeth first, you will already notice incredible changes in your smile’s appearance.
4. Use a shade guide – determine beforehand the shade of white you prefer for your results. Ideally, a dentist can whiten your teeth up to four shades higher than the initial color. However, it may be a big and conspicuous adjustment for conservative patients. Besides, ensure you let your dentist know if you have veneers or dental crowns. Since they cannot be whitened, your dentist will bleach your teeth to match their color.
5. Your teeth will be sensitive after treatment – enamel bleaching will leave your teeth a bit sensitive for a few days. It should get better after the first 3-7 days post teeth whitening. If you notice an increased sensitivity that prolongs for weeks, you may need emergency dentistry in Bronxville.

Is Teeth Whitening Worth It?

If you are still unsure about professional teeth whitening, consider the following advantages:

1. Instant results – by the time your treatment is complete, you will notice the incredible transformations in your smile.
2. Quick procedure – professional teeth whitening takes about 45 minutes to complete. You do not need to stick around the dentist’s office for hours before seeing changes in your smile’s appearance.
3. It is safe – dentists take all the necessary precautions to attend to your gums and your teeth during the bleaching process.
4. Longevity – the results of your treatment will last about 6 -12 months before you need retreatment.