Did you know that the health of your teeth is not necessarily related to the look of your smile? Many Americans find that the pearly-white appearance they are looking for is not natural to their teeth, even when properly cared for. If you’re hoping for a whiter, brighter smile but not seeing results from at-home methods like bleaching toothpaste or rinses, you may want to consider professional cosmetic teeth whitening.
What Does Professional Whitening Entail?
There are several approaches to professional teeth whitening, but the most common involves using a strong bleaching gel containing a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide. This gel is painted onto the teeth, where it is left for 15-30 minutes. During this time, the patient may also undergo light application, in which a strong, ultraviolet light is focused on the area to increase the power of the whitening gel. This results in fast, reliable results that far surpass anything you can get from an at-home, over-the-counter product.
How Do You Prepare for and Care for the Teeth After Whitening?
Whitening is not an invasive procedure that requires a lot of preparatory work, but there are several steps that should be taken to ensure the results are the best that they can be. Your teeth may be cleaned or polished before your whitening sessions, or you may be given a desensitizing agent to help the bleaching gel work without causing major sensitivity. Always follow your provider’s instructions for best results.
After your whitening session, do not eat or drink for a short time. Your dentist will give you a specific time frame, but the general range is between thirty minutes and several hours, depending on your procedure type. You should care for your teeth as normal, and expect some mild sensitivity for the first few days. This generally goes away soon after, leaving you with nothing but a brighter, whiter smile!
For more information about cosmetic teeth whitening in Knoxville, TN, contact your local cosmetic dentist.
