Want to brighten your smile but don’t know where to begin? Whitening teeth is an easy, hassle-free procedure to enhance your smile and overall self-esteem. If you’re seeking teeth whitening near you, it’s reassuring to know what you’re getting into before booking a consultation. This is a step-by-step, easy-to-follow guide to the teeth-whitening process.
What Happens During a Teeth Whitening Appointment?
Step 1: Exam and Consultation
Your teeth whitening begins with an appointment at your dentist’s clinic. Your dentist in Strathcona will examine your gums and teeth to see if they are healthy enough for whitening. If you have cavities or gum disease, these will require treatment before your whitening.
Step 2: Teeth Cleaning
Your dentist will pre-whiten your teeth prior to any whitening, eliminating tartar or plaque on your teeth. It creates a surface that is even for whitening gel application and allows whitening activity to be carried out.
Step 3: Protecting the Gums and Lips
Once your teeth are cleaned, the dentist will insert a protective guard in a position that your gums, tongue and lips will be protected during whitening. The barrier guarantees that the whitening gel is in contact with just your teeth and does not irritate the soft tissues in your mouth.
Step 4: Application of the Whitening Gel
Your dentist will apply a special whitening gel on the surface of your teeth. The gel contains a bleaching agent that helps to remove stains from foods, drinks and smoking. This is a very important procedure in the teeth whitening step, and the gel is usually placed on the teeth for around 15 to 30 minutes.
Step 5: Activating the Gel (Optional)
Some of the treatments either use a light to activate the whitening gel or to speed up the whitening treatment. A couple of ways to speed up the whitening process and use the light to assist with making the process take less time to show results. Not all methods of whitening use the light or accelerated option.
Step 6: Rinsing and Verifying the Results
Once the gel is on the teeth, your dentist will rinse out your mouth and compare what your original shade was to your current whitening shade. The process may sometimes be repeated a second time during the same appointment if you desire to notice an even brighter result.
How Long Will Teeth Whitening Last?
Depending on your habits, the results of professional whitening may last anywhere from just a few months to a couple of years. If you smoke or drink coffee, tea, or red wine regularly, your results may not last as long. To make your teeth stay whiter longer, it is best to brush and floss your teeth regularly, try to avoid eating foods that may stain your teeth, and book regular cleans with your dentist.
If you do drink a lot of dark-coloured drinks, using a straw has been shown to help reduce staining. You can even ask your dentist about touch-up whitening treatment options to help you maintain your results.
At-Home Whitening: Should You Try It?
While over-the-counter kits and whitening strips are available, they don’t always give the same results as in-office treatments. These products may take longer to work and can sometimes cause tooth sensitivity. It’s always a good idea to talk to your dentist before trying any at-home method.
They may not remove deep stains or provide even whitening across all teeth. Results can also vary depending on the product and how consistently it’s used. If not used correctly, some at-home treatments can irritate your gums or damage enamel.
Brighten Your Smile with Whyte Ave Dental Choice
Ready for a whiter, more confident smile? At Whyte Ave Dental Choice, we offer whitening services that are safe, effective, and tailored to your needs. Whether you have an event coming up or just want to feel better about your smile, our team will guide you through the entire process so you know exactly what to expect.
We’re conveniently located and here to make your whitening experience simple and comfortable. Let us help you feel great about your smile again. Call us today or book online to begin your brighter smile journey with Whyte Ave Dental Choice!
