Every patient will have a unique experience with professional teeth whitening. However, there are certain things that general dentists typically recommend when preparing before treatment. This includes a dental cleaning, avoiding the use of over-the-counter whitening products, and understanding what results to expect.
If it has been more than four months since your last check-up and cleaning, then your dentist may recommend a routine dental cleaning before whitening. This removes plaque and tartar to improve your oral health. They can also check for any other oral health concerns that need to be addressed, such as dental cavities or weakened enamel. Once the patient is in good oral health, the whitening procedure can be performed. This may occur on the same day or during a follow-up visit.
Over-the-counter whitening products are not nearly as safe as professional teeth whitening. In addition, using over-the-counter whitening products before teeth whitening treatment can significantly increase the risk of teeth sensitivity and gum irritation. Therefore, it is important not to use any whitening products bought over the counter before treatment.
Teeth whitening in the office is non-invasive, but it is likely to take an hour or two to complete. It is important to schedule the visit at a convenient time. This ensures the patient can stay relaxed and does not miss anything important due to the visit for teeth whitening.
Dentists typically use a shade guide to show the patient what results they can expect. It is important to understand what teeth whitening can and cannot do to avoid undesirable results from treatment. For severe stains, it may be best to use an alternative treatment method such as dental veneers or bonding, whereas most patients with mild to moderate stains are satisfied with the results from professional, in-office teeth whitening.
One of the potential side effects of teeth whitening is increased teeth sensitivity. To reduce this risk, consider using a toothpaste that is specifically for sensitive teeth before your teeth whitening visit. This reduces the risk of experiencing sensitivity during or after the treatment process. Also, discuss ways to reduce the risk of side effects with your dentist before beginning treatment.
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You can schedule a visit with our dental practice to discuss the teeth whitening process by giving us a call or sending us a message. We may be able to perform teeth whitening on the same day, or we can recommend a follow-up visit if additional treatment is needed before the whitening process.
Request an appointment or call Oak Tree Dental at 703-763-5239 for an appointment in our McLean office.
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