Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures, offering a quick and effective way to enhance the appearance of your smile. Professional whitening is designed to remove stains and lighten the pigmentation within the tooth enamel, and it’s a service we proudly offer at all our offices, including those in Jacksonville and Surf City.
A Timeline for Professional Teeth Whitening
Immediate Results
One of the benefits of professional whitening is the immediacy of the results. Unlike at-home treatments that can take several weeks to show significant changes, professional whitening can produce noticeable results in just one session. However, for optimal results, multiple sessions may be recommended.
Number of Sessions
The total number of sessions required for professional whitening will vary based on individual factors such as the degree of staining and the desired shade of whiteness. Generally, patients can expect to undergo one to three sessions, with each session making the teeth several shades lighter.
If multiple sessions are necessary, we typically recommend a gap of one to two weeks between appointments. This interval allows the teeth to adjust to the whitening process and minimizes any tooth sensitivity.
Factors Affecting the Process
Your Starting Shade
The initial color of your teeth will influence the duration of the whitening process. Teeth with yellow tones tend to whiten more effectively, while teeth with a grayish hue may require more sessions to achieve the desired results.
Your Lifestyle Habits
Lifestyle choices, such as smoking or consuming staining foods and beverages can affect the longevity of whitening results. To maintain the effects of professional whitening, it’s important to avoid or minimize exposure to these staining agents.
Particularly staining foods and beverages to minimize include red wines, coffee and tea, dark juices like grape or cranberry, pasta sauce, blueberries, beets, curries, and sodas. If you need to eat or drink these, be sure to clean your teeth immediately afterward.
Your Overall Oral Hygiene
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene can extend the results of whitening. Regular brushing and flossing, along with professional cleanings, help to prevent new stains from forming.
Touch-Up Treatments
Over time, teeth can begin to discolor again. Touch-up treatments may be necessary every 6 to 12 months, depending on individual habits and the type of staining.
Sensitivity Management
Some patients may experience tooth sensitivity following whitening treatments. Using toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth can help manage this. If sensitivity persists, consult with us for personalized solutions.
What to Expect During Professional Teeth Whitening
When you opt for professional whitening, you are choosing a customized treatment tailored to your specific dental needs. Unlike over-the-counter options, professional whitening involves the creation of personalized bleaching trays that fit snugly over your teeth.
The journey to a brighter smile begins with the preparation of customized bleaching trays. These trays are crafted from impressions of your teeth, ensuring a perfect fit that optimizes the whitening process and minimizes the risk of irritation to your gums or the soft tissues of your mouth.
During professional whitening, your dental hygienist will apply the whitening gel to the custom trays, place them in your mouth, and monitor the process. This supervision is crucial to ensure that the procedure is safe and effective, as a professional can adjust the treatment as necessary to avoid sensitivity or irritation.
The Individual Whitening Session
A single whitening session at a dental office can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. During this time, the bleaching agent works to break down stains and discoloration. The exact duration will depend on the extent of staining and your desired level of whiteness.
The Whitening Agent
Professional whitening treatments use a high-concentration bleaching gel that accelerates the whitening process. This gel typically contains hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as the active ingredient, which penetrates the enamel to lift stains that have accumulated over the years.
Monitoring Progress
Your dental professional will carefully monitor the progress throughout the session, checking for any signs of gum irritation and ensuring that the whitening process is proceeding smoothly. Adjustments to the concentration of the whitening agent or the duration of exposure may be made to tailor the treatment to your needs.
The Advantages of Professional Whitening Over OTC Options
We’re all aware that over-the-counter whitening options exist, from toothpastes that promise whiter teeth in just a few days to bleaching trays that promise deeper results. Why have this process done at a dentist’s office rather than at home?
Superior Customization
Professional whitening offers a level of customization that over-the-counter (OTC) products can’t match. Custom-fitted trays ensure that the whitening agent is evenly distributed over your teeth, reducing the risk of uneven whitening and minimizing contact with gums, which can lead to irritation.
Professional Strength
The whitening agents used by dental professionals are stronger than those available in OTC kits, meaning that they can often achieve more noticeable results in a shorter amount of time. This efficiency also reduces the overall exposure of your teeth to bleaching agents, which is better for your tooth health.
Expert Guidance
Having a professional oversee your whitening process means any issues that arise can be addressed immediately. Dental professionals can also provide you with customized advice on how to maintain your results, tailor aftercare to reduce sensitivity, and personalized treatments for stubborn stains.
Enamel Protection
Professional whitening is designed to be safe for tooth enamel when performed correctly. Dental professionals take precautions to protect the enamel, such as using barriers to shield the gums and neutralizing gels to prevent damage.
Oral Health Monitoring
Regular monitoring by a dental professional allows for the early detection and treatment of any oral health issues. This proactive approach is not possible with OTC or DIY whitening methods.
Safety Standards
Professional whitening products meet stringent safety standards and are approved by dental health authorities. These regulations ensure that the products are not only effective but also safe for use in the long term.
Dangers of DIY Whitening
Unpredictable Results
DIY teeth whitening, especially using methods found on the internet like using baking soda, lemon juice, or other abrasive substances, can lead to unpredictable and sometimes undesirable results. These substances can wear away enamel, leading to increased sensitivity and vulnerability to decay.
Risk of Overuse
Without professional guidance, there’s a risk of overusing whitening products, which can damage tooth enamel and irritate gum tissue. This overuse can lead to translucent teeth, where the edges of the teeth start appearing blue or gray as the enamel becomes excessively thin.
Gum Damage and Tooth Sensitivity
Improper use of whitening agents can cause significant gum damage and increased tooth sensitivity. Some DIY whitening methods can even result in chemical burns to the gums or the soft tissues of the mouth.
Professional Whitening in Jacksonville, Surf City, and Beyond
We pride ourselves on delivering professional whitening services tailored to your individual needs. Our trays are customized for your unique dental structure, ensuring comfort and effectiveness, and our commitment to your care extends beyond the whitening session. We provide guidance on aftercare and lifestyle adjustments to help you enjoy your brighter smile for as long as possible. Contact us at Smith Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Surf City, Jacksonville, Hampstead, Sneads Ferry, Porters Neck, or Goldsboro today to get started.
