3 Things to Know Before Getting Your Teeth Whitened

Professional teeth whitening is a popular service offered by both family dentists and cosmetic dentists, and it offers an effective way to achieve a whiter smile in just one day. If you are thinking about going through with this procedure, here are three important things you should know before you schedule an appointment to have this completed.

You Should Take Care of Any Oral Health Problems First

Teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic dental service. In other words, it is not something you have to do to keep your teeth healthy; however, you should not go through with this unless you have healthy teeth. If you have cavities in your teeth or are struggling with gingivitis, you should take care of these problems before you get your teeth whitened. If you do not get your oral problems fixed first, you might have problems with the teeth-whitening process. One problem you might experience is extreme sensitivity with your teeth, especially near the areas of your mouth where you have existing oral problems.

Teeth-Whitening Can Increase Tooth Sensitivity

It's also important to realize that teeth-whitening services are completed with products that contain some type of bleach. When a dentist applies the solution to your teeth, the solution will penetrate into the inner parts of your teeth where nerve endings are located. When this happens, it can stimulate or expose these nerve endings, and this is what typically causes sensitivity issues after whitening.

Most people can handle the sensitivity issues, though, and the sensitivity typically starts fading within a few days in most cases. You can take medication, such as ibuprofen, before and after the procedure to help reduce the pain.

You Will Need to Maintain Your Smile

The other thing you should realize is that the effectiveness of teeth-whitening services is very good at first, but it does not last forever. Over time, your teeth might start fading from white back to yellow. This is completely normal, but you might be able to keep your teeth whiter for a longer period of time if you maintain them. You can do this by using over-the-counter products for whitening and by using a whitening toothpaste.

If you are ready to have a brighter, whiter smile, contact a dental clinic in your city today. You can learn more about the options available for getting a whiter smile, and you can schedule an appointment to have your teeth whitened. For more information, check out a website like http://www.lindendentalnaples.com.