Teeth Whitening is an excellent treatment option for improving the shade of one’s teeth. It is quick and easy, provides little to no pain, is safe and is long-lasting. It can quickly improve the appearance of your teeth in as little as one session (depending on the type of treatment one pursues). However, teeth whitening is not a solution to dental problems, as it’s just a cosmetic procedure. That is why it is critical you do not use teeth whitening as a solution to dental issues without seeing your dentist.
Before Teeth Whitening
If you do wish to undergo a teeth whitening treatment, make sure you visit your dentist beforehand. This will ensure your teeth and gums are healthy and suitable enough to do a whitening procedure. Teeth issues, such as cavities or damage can be worsened by teeth whitening solutions. Whitening also does not fix cavities or other dental problems beyond just brightening their colour. Teeth whitening treatments work best on teeth that are readily cleaned and healthy.
What You Should Do
The best tip to prepare for teeth whitening treatments is to follow proper oral hygiene routines. This starts with eating the right foods (highly acidic foods and beverages can damage your teeth), brushing daily, flossing, and using a mouth rinse. Of course, all of this is not enough. You must also visit your dentist every 6-9 months to keep your teeth and gums properly healthy.
Teeth whitening is not a substitute for proper dental care, so it is important that you take good care of your teeth before and after undergoing teeth whitening treatments. It is not worth spending the money on teeth whitening if you don’t take care of your teeth, to begin with!
Why Can’t You Whiten Damaged Teeth?
If you have gum disease, tooth decay, or other dental issues, it is not recommended to undergo a teeth whitening treatment. In fact, most certified whitening technicians will not provide you with the service, to begin with. Here’s why.
Whitening agents can cause irritation to your teeth and gums. While on healthy teeth, this is minimal and rarely occurs, it can severely bother or make problems worse for individuals with gum disease or bad teeth.
If you have tooth decay, tartar/plague buildup, receding gums, or sensitive teeth, it is best to visit your dentist and get these issues fixed or under control before attempting a teeth whitening procedure. If you undergo whitening sessions with these issues it can make matters worse with pain, discomfort, irritation and damage.
As well, if you have plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth, whitening agents won’t work as well as there is now a barrier between your tooth enamel and the whitening agent. If you whiten your teeth without clearing plaque buildup you can end up with uneven colour, or not stay at all after a proper dental cleaning. Think of it like taking a shower. If you shower with your clothes on you aren’t cleaning yourself.
Conclusion
If you wish to do teeth whitening and improve the look of your smile, make sure you visit your dentist first to get a proper teeth cleaning and checkup. Follow proper dental hygiene with routine brushing, flossing and mouthwash, and don’t let up once you get your teeth whitened. Then, you may proceed with teeth whitening to get those shiny white teeth you’re dreaming of.
If you wish to provide teeth whitening services to your clients, take our online teeth whitening course at Teeth Whitening Academy, and get trained in just one day.