Oral health is not only important for our well-being, but it also heavily impacts our quality of life. It can be quite difficult to enjoy yourself when you’re feeling self-conscious about your smile. When you’re confident in yourself, your happiness will naturally follow, and that’s exactly what we aim for here at Steven C. Hewett DDS Implant and Comprehensive Dentistry in Champions Gate, FL. Our teeth whitening and dental repairing services have helped countless people brighten their smiles.
How Frequently Can I Schedule a Teeth Whitening?
The results of a professional whitening will not be permanent and will fade naturally over time. We normally ask our patients to come back every two years or so, but we may suggest returning after only one year, depending on your lifestyle. Those who smoke or drink dark-colored liquids such as coffee, tea, wine, or soda will notice the white fading more quickly than those who stick to clear liquids and don’t smoke.
You don’t want to go more frequently than once a year because our teeth whitening formula is potent and strong. If you are interested in touching up your teeth between appointments with at-home whitening kits, you can use those more frequently, such as every three to six months. Remember, though, that the results you get at home won’t be anywhere near what you can achieve with us.
Why Should I Get My Teeth Whitened?
If you aren’t already whitening regularly, chances are your teeth are naturally yellowing. This is inevitable because of the foods and beverages we consume.
Whitening your teeth can open up many doors for you and create more opportunities. When you feel your best, you won’t want to shy away, so you’ll be more likely to step out of your comfort zone and try new experiences. You may even find that people respond to you more positively and that you receive more career opportunities.
What Are the Benefits?
The aim of whitening is to offer a non-invasive way to lighten the color of the enamel and make the smile more noticeable. You might consider this treatment if you feel self-conscious about stained teeth, either from your lifestyle or the medications you take. Some people experience a condition known as fluorosis that causes too much fluoridation when your tooth is being developed, and whitening can solve this. Normal enamel wear-and-tear is also a perfectly good reason to consider whitening.
In addition to brightening their teeth, many of our patients report their confidence naturally skyrocketing now that they don’t feel as though they should hide their smiles. A brighter smile can make you appear younger, and teeth whitening may even help you find that special someone.
What Does the Teeth Whitening Process Involve?
At our practice, we normally require two separate visits. On the first visit, we’ll talk about your desired results, thoroughly inspect your teeth to determine the status of the enamel, and make molds of your unique mouth shape, so we can make customized plastic whitening trays. For your second appointment, you’ll test out the trays and adjustments will be made as needed until they fit perfectly over your teeth.
Your second appointment is also where we will go over how white you want your end result to be. We will assess how long it will take you to reach the goal based on your current enamel color, and we will create a personalized timeline for you to follow. Your treatment schedule might be anywhere from twice a day for 30 minutes at a time to overnight for a few weeks.
How Does It Work?
Perhaps the hardest part of the process is making the custom plastic trays, and once those are ready, the only thing left is to fill the trays with our whitening agent and place them over your teeth. While this couldn’t be a more simple process, we greatly advise seeking our professional treatment rather than attempting to whiten at home.
Before the first time you whiten, a professional will need to examine your teeth and gums to identify problem areas. We can also make sure your gums don’t get irritated during the treatment. It’s common for teeth to feel sensitive after whitening, so it’s best to have a professional there to offer products that reduce sensitivity, such as a fluoride rinse.
Are There Different Kinds of Whitening?
Bleaching
It may sound harsh, but the particular bleach whitener we use is completely safe. This is similar to what you see in over-the-counter at-home products, but our formula is much stronger and will produce better results than what you can buy in the store or online. This is the type of whitening treatment we use when we take molds of our patient’s teeth and create trays. It simply coats the surface of the enamel and bleaches it slowly over time.
Laser Whitening
This is a less common treatment that involves much stronger bleaching gel and is only available as a professional treatment. Laser whitening is similar to chemical bleaching in the way it’s applied to the teeth, but once the gel is coating the enamel, a laser is used to heat the bleach. This not only produces more dramatically white results, but it takes far less time than typical bleaching.
Since this can cause sensitivity as well, we make sure to protect the surrounding soft tissue before beginning the treatment. This usually involves a soft and malleable rubber that we use to cover the lips, cheeks, and gums.
Preventative Measures
Common Causes of Yellowing Teeth
While time and age may be the biggest factors for most people, there are other reasons why your teeth might need a whitening. Some medications are known to cause enamel discoloration, especially medications for high blood pressure or diabetes. Radiation therapy or chemotherapy can also have a hand in staining the teeth. Inefficient dental hygiene habits and consuming certain foods or drinks will also cause the teeth to dull over time.
Foods and Drinks To Avoid
Dark liquids are the number-one culprit that leads to yellowed teeth. Besides these, there are a few foods that help contribute to stained teeth. It’s well-known that sugary foods like candy leave behind traces of themselves that eat away at your enamel, but did you know that tomatoes and lemons can also stain the teeth and break down the enamel due to their acidity?
Fruits such as pomegranates, blackberries, or blueberries can also be culprits because of their dark color. A good rule of thumb to remember is that if it stains your clothes, it will stain your teeth.
How To Make the Most Out of Your Teeth Whitening Treatment
Make sure you schedule your teeth cleanings diligently and take care of your teeth with regular flossing, brushing, and mouthwash. It’s a good idea to schedule a cleaning with your dentist every 12 to 18 months. At home, you can try to avoid dark liquids as much as you can. It’s also a good idea to rinse your mouth with water immediately after you eat any tooth-staining foods.
Fall in Love With Your Smile Again
At our dentistry, we’ve been helping people improve their oral health and confidence for decades. If you are someone who finds yourself anxious about oral treatments, we offer relaxing music, blankets, massage chairs, and warm towels upon request. If you’re coming from out of town, our patient liaison can help you travel to us. Schedule your complimentary consultation with us today here at Steven C. Hewett DDS Implant and Comprehensive Dentistry in Champions Gate, FL for a refreshed smile.
