When teeth appear yellow or off-white. Many people consider teeth whitening to help brighten their smile. Years ago, you would have scheduled an appointment with your dentist for a whitening procedure. However, these days the drugstores are filled with a variety of different teeth whitening treatments, making it something you can do in the comfort of your home. Whether you choose to use whitening strips or over-the-counter or professional strength whitening gels, there are a few things you should do before even considering a whitening treatment.
Visit Your Dentist for a Checkup
Before considering a whitening treatment, whether it is strips or whitening trays and gel, you should schedule a routine dental checkup. There are a few reasons for this. First of all, not all stains can be treated by whitening treatments. Staining due to trauma, decay, or long-term antibiotic exposure will not react to whitening treatments.
When you are ready to whiten your teeth, visit SportingSmiles to purchase your custom-fit teeth whitening trays.
More importantly, your dentist can identify dental issues that may cause complications with whitening. For example, tooth decay and cavities should be addressed before whitening. Cracked or damaged teeth can cause discomfort during a whitening treatment. If you suffer from gum disease, teeth whitening should be put on hold until your gum disease is addressed. Whitening products can irritate the gums and it is important that your mouth is in the best possible health. Address and Treat Tooth Sensitivity
It is common for whitening treatments to cause short-term tooth sensitivity. If you are prone to sensitivity on a regular basis, consider using desensitizing toothpaste for some time before considering whitening. Toothpaste for sensitivity contains strontium chloride and potassium nitrate that help to block the transmission of pain signals. Using this toothpaste on a regular basis for a couple of weeks before treatment can help reduce the discomfort associated with tooth sensitivity. This will also help give you a better whitening treatment experience.
Have a Dental Cleaning Before Your Whitening Treatment
Before you plan a whitening treatment, schedule an appointment for a dental cleaning. Plaque and tartar build-up on the teeth can affect the whitening product’s ability to effectively treat surface stains. Removing plaque and tartar will leave a clean surface for the whitening product to treat, offering you the best possible results and a brighter and whiter smile.
In addition to professional dental cleaning, good daily oral hygiene before whitening is essential to a successful treatment.
At SportingSmiles, we offer professional strength teeth whitening gel, as well as custom teeth whitening trays. Using custom whitening trays helps to reduce the risk of gum irritation because the gel stays in place. In addition, using custom trays helps assure the gel stays in direct contact with all your teeth, helping to ensure the best possible results. For more information, visit our Teeth Whitening page today.
