General dentists typically recommend professional teeth whitening once per year for patients who are cavity-free and in good oral health overall. Understanding who makes an ideal candidate for professional, in-office teeth whitening can help you determine if you should schedule a consultation visit for the procedure.
When to consider professional teeth whitening
Professional teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure that brightens your smile and removes stains. This review offers insights into when annual teeth whitening is recommended, how professional teeth whitening can remove mild to moderate teeth stains and the differences between in-office whitening and take-home kits.
Annual whitening
Many cosmetic and general dentists recommend professional teeth whitening annually. This allows patients with healthy teeth to keep their smile looking great all year long. In many instances, patients who do not have stained teeth utilize annual whitening to prevent any discoloration from developing. The length of time that the results of teeth whitening last varies, however, and some patients may only need professional teeth whitening once every 14 to 18 months.
Mild teeth stains
Of course, the primary goal of professional teeth whitening is to improve the shade of teeth. This is particularly useful when there are stains on teeth. Most patients who have gone several years without professional teeth whitening can brighten their smile through treatment. Therefore, cosmetic and general dentists often recommend professional teeth whitening to patients who have healthy teeth enamel, do not have damaged teeth and have healthy gums.
Moderate teeth stains
Minor teeth stains often only require one or two whitening sessions that are performed in a single visit. Moderate teeth stains can also be removed through professional whitening, although the process may be more extensive and possibly require more than one dentist visit. The dentist should help you establish realistic expectations as to what you can expect with moderate teeth stains. This is done using a shade guide.
In-office vs. take home
In-office professional teeth whitening is typically safer and produces faster and longer-lasting results than take-home professional teeth whitening kits, although it may cost slightly more. Therefore, patients who want long-lasting results and want to ensure optimal safety, an in-office procedure is likely the best option. Also, in-office whitening can ensure any other oral health or cosmetic issues are addressed, such as dental cavities and periodontitis.
How to start the professional teeth whitening process
The professional teeth whitening process begins with a consultation with a general dentist that offers treatment. During the visit, the dentist may conduct an oral examination to determine if the patient is a good candidate and make a treatment recommendation accordingly. If treatment is appropriate, then the whitening procedure can likely take place on the same day.
Professional teeth whitening for increased confidence
Give our team a call today if you are not entirely happy with the appearance of your smile due to teeth discoloration. Our friendly team can answer your questions and explain the process to you so that you feel comfortable before the professional teeth whitening procedure is performed on the first visit.
Request an appointment here: https://www.cosmeticdentistoffice.com or call Rachel Cole DDS PC at (503) 248-1114 for an appointment in our Portland office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Teeth Whitening in Portland, OR.
Recent Posts
Teeth whitening is one of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures, giving people a fast and affordable way to improve their smile. Almost everyone who chooses teeth whitening will notice moderate to significant improvement in the whiteness and brightness of their smile. Teeth whitening involves removing stains and discolorations from the teeth.Whitening treatments are customizable…
It is normal to desire a brighter, whiter smile, but trying to decide between a teeth whitening kit for home use or a visit to a dental professional complicates the matter. Over-the-counter applications can seem more convenient and less expensive, but do they offer the same results as what can be expected with an in-office…
As we grow older, it is normal for teeth to begin yellowing. However, many teeth whitening strategies can help delay this process.Although you can quickly get teeth-whitening kits from most nearby pharmacies, you can use natural solutions to clear teeth stains and shield the tooth enamel.The enamel is on the outer layer of the teeth…
Discolored teeth are problematic in terms of smile quality. However, teeth stains can also cause related health problems or at least contribute to such problems. So do not assume your discolored teeth are a problem insofar as they reduce the quality of your smile. Discolored teeth have the potential to impact your health as well.Inadequate…