You may feel the need to have a brighter, radiant smile. There’s lots of that going around; the movie stars are always so dazzling whenever they smile for the camera. You never see any of them with less than perfect teeth. You might be tempted to get teeth whitening done, but there are a few things to consider before you do so and you should also consult with your Red Deer dental care provider before starting any treatment.
Are Your Teeth Clean?
Whitening your teeth is not the same as a cleaning. It’s simply a way to remove stains. Go to see your Red Deer dentist before starting any teeth whitening treatment, even if it’s one at home. Your dentist in Red Deer will tell you whether it’s OK to continue. He’ll have to do a thorough examination, and find out if there’s anything that needs to be corrected before doing so. If there is, you need to have all problems corrected and proper treatment before you begin to whiten your teeth.
The reason for this is easy: teeth whitening should only be done on people who have healthy mouths. The treatments used in most at-home teeth whitening products, like bleach and peroxide, can make teeth sensitive. In addition, everyone’s mouth is different, just like fingerprints. Your teeth may not be able to handle what other mouths can. You may have a condition that prevents your teeth from being as white as you want them to be, or you may have to recover from a surgery or a treatment before proceeding. Talk to your Red Deer dentist first before you go any further.
Taking the Next Step
You can either do an over the counter treatment, or you can have your teeth whitened in your Red Deer dentist’s office. Store-bought treatments are cheaper, but aren’t tailored to individuals. Usually you used these products for two to four weeks, with a touch-up treatment to be used monthly. The same would apply to tooth whitening in your Red Deer dental care provider’s office – a touch up would be required regularly to keep your teeth white.
It’s important to talk to your Red Deer dentist about what options are available to you, and what products are out there. While you might think that bleaching your teeth is OK, he would be the one to tell you whether you’re wrong or not.
Strips or Trays?
If you decide to go ahead and whiten your teeth with an over the counter product, you’ll find that there are two types of home treatments: strips and trays. Each one works the same, to be applied for 30-45 minutes daily. Which one is for you is up to you to decide. Some people like the strips because they’re thin and can’t be seen. They allow them to talk while they’re going about their business for the day. Other people want the trays, but you have to keep your mouth closed for the entire duration of the treatment. This may be inconvenient for people who live with others. It’s up to you to decide.
Don’t Overdo It
There are clear signs when you’ve used teeth whitening products excessively. You may want your teeth to look brighter than a winter’s morning, but your teeth may not be capable of being that bright. A good rule of thumb is that when your teeth are as white as the whites of your eyes, you should stop. Don’t use the tooth whitening product for longer than two to four weeks. If your teeth become extra sensitive, or start looking thin, then you’re using the whitening product too much. Stop immediately, wait for a few days, and then call up your Red Deer dentist if problems persist. Your dentist in Red Deer can also help you choose the right whitener for you.
