With the invention of the selfie, fashion magazines, and the world of social media, many people are now seeking low-cost ways of enhancing their appearance to put their best “face” forward. Many appearance-conscience individuals have considered one such option is turning to an at-home or in-office teeth whitening treatment. These are questions that many Dentists That Do Teeth Whitening often answer for those interested in brightening their smiles.
- How much does it cost?
This is the most apparent first consideration for someone who wants whiter teeth. Unfortunately, it’s not an easy question to answer. The rates for an in-office treatment vary depending on the treatment’s intensity and the dentists’ rate structure. Some dentists offer discounts or modified materials for use at home.
2. How does it work?
To whiten the tooth’s color, a gel solution is brushed onto the surface that causes the pores on the surface to open. Once the pores are opened, the bleaching agent, active peroxide, can seep into the tooth’s enamel and blast away stains and discoloration.
- Is it bad for your teeth?
The use of tooth-whitening applications can be harmful to the teeth if used too frequently. It is always advisable to coordinate teeth-whitening efforts with your dentist to ensure that the action is not more aggressive than the teeth can tolerate.
- How long does it take?
Successful whitening often requires more than one session. Most treatment efforts will last between 20-30 minutes in the dental office. Usually, a complete regimen will assume at least two or three treatments to accomplish satisfactory results. An at-home session may take less time per treatment but will likely require more treatment occurrences.
- What are the side effects?
Once the treatment has opened the pores on the surface of the teeth, the teeth are especially susceptible to be stained by colorful foods like coffee, wine, dark-colored fruits such as cherries. For at least seven days, one should avoid any foods that could stain a white t-shirt.
Some people also report an increase in tooth sensitivity. This is often directly correlated to how intense the treatment was.
- Will it cause or increase tooth sensitivity?
The quick answer is “yes, probably.” The degree to which a person experiences tooth sensitivity post-treatment is dependent on several variables. First, the amount of sensitivity that person already experiences, the level of whitening agent applied (the percentage of active peroxide used), and the duration of the treatment.
There are ways to mitigate the sensitivity. Some possibilities include using a peroxide-free treatment, using toothpaste specially formulated for sensitive teeth, or spread out the frequency of teeth-whitening treatments, limiting hot or cold foods and drinks, or even chewing gum to distract the brain from the sensation.
- How successful is it?
Some factors impact the degree of change someone could expect from a teeth-whitening experience. Genetics, the starting shade of teeth when treatment begins, food/drink habits, any medications that may cause discoloration are all examples that can cause each person will experience different results. So, while it may not be possible to attain a Hollywood white smile, many people experience ten to fifteen shades of improvement.
- How long does it last?
Over time, the teeth will revert to their natural shade. Many users will use a minimal maintenance plan to hold on to a brighter smile. Most people will enjoy three to six months of lighter shades of white. All of the above-listed variables will again impact how long it takes for the whiter shades to revert to the starting shade.
A whiter, brighter smile is often an attainable way to gain confidence and enhance appearance. Once these eight questions are satisfactorily answered, the only left to do is to consult your dentist to satisfy any specific questions that may impact your treatment.
