Food and beverages, tobacco or certain medications, age, and trauma can change the color of your teeth. Many patients turn to teeth whitening products, which break stains into smaller pieces and give you a whiter and brighter smile. There are a few different options for teeth whitening, including at-home bleaching and in-office bleaching. At-home bleaching typically costs less but is not as effective as in-office bleaching. No matter where or how you whiten your teeth, there are a few things you should do before using whitening trays or visiting the dentist’s office:
1. Eat – You should have a meal or at least a light snack before teeth whitening, so you are not tempted to eat or drink something besides water while your trays are in or immediately after the procedure.
2. Brush Your Teeth – Food particles should be removed so there are no spots on your teeth where the whitening agent couldn’t come into contact with the teeth.
3. Set Aside Enough Time – If you’re whitening your teeth at home, make sure you put in your whitening trays or strips with enough time to spare. Trying to whiten your teeth 10 minutes before you need to leave the house is a waste of a whitening tray. Most systems recommend leaving trays or strips in your mouth for 30 minutes. If you’re whitening your teeth in a dental office, don’t forget about prep time. A 45-minute laser whitening will likely be done in three 15-minute increments.
4. If you’re prone to sensitivity, start brushing with desensitizing toothpaste a few weeks before the procedure or before you begin whitening with trays or strips. This will minimize the amount of discomfort during and after the treatment.
5. Make Sure Your Trays Fit – If you’re whitening at home, over the counter whitening trays don’t always fit. An improperly fitting tray can cause the whitening solution to leak, resulting in gum irritation and less effective treatment.
Though whitening is not a permanent solution, it is a great way for a temporary boost to your smile. Many patients have their teeth whitened before their wedding, job search, or other special event. After a whitening procedure, you can help your beautiful smile last longer by avoiding coffee, tea, wine, smoking, and certain foods. Be sure to keep up your healthy oral habits, too!
If you live in Charles County or St. Mary’s County, Maryland and want to learn more about teeth whitening, you are invited to contact Sequence Orthodontics at our Waldorf or Leonardtown offices, where our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.
