Having a bright, beautiful smile says a lot about a person. It tells the world you are confident, healthy, and youthful. Unfortunately, however, having discolored, stained, or dingy teeth usually say the opposite, whether it’s true or not. That’s why treatments like professional whitening from your dentist are so popular. But not so fast! Before you book that Zoom! Whitening procedure, you’ll need to have a healthy smile first. Here’s why.
Why You Need a Healthy Smile to Get Professional Whitening
Teeth can become stained for many reasons. Whether it’s due to diet, age, or bad oral habits like smoking, the tiny pores in your enamel can absorb color, where it becomes trapped inside, changing the shade of your smile. Professional whitening uses safe but powerful chemicals to enter those pores, breaking up the stains and leaving behind brighter, whiter teeth. But unfortunately, if you’ve got existing oral health problems like cavities or decay, those mighty bleaching chemicals could cause a lot of damage.
For starters, the powerful ingredients can make cavities worse by increasing pain and sensitivity. In some cases, they could even cause permanent damage. Worse still, if the tooth has already begun to decay, whitening products can make it worse and create even more permanent, painful problems!
To avoid this, your dentist will first schedule you for a cosmetic dentistry consultation. At this appointment, he will examine the condition of your teeth and gums, and if any problems are detected, create a treatment plan for fixing them first. Then, once your mouth is healthy, you can proceed with your professional whitening. If no problems exist, you can get on the books for a future date, or he may even have time to whiten your smile during the same visit!
What About OTC Whitening Products?
Often, patients are tempted to try over-the-counter whitening products they see online or in stores because they think the diluted ingredients used will be gentler on their teeth. Unfortunately, however, while these products may promise to do the same job for a fraction of the price of professional treatment, they rarely deliver. In fact, in most cases, those weaker ingredients not only barely make noticeable changes, but they also take a lot longer to achieve, and by then your mouth could feel even more sensitive due to prolonged exposure! Thus, it is not only safer to trust professional whitening from your dentist, but also a lot faster!
Remember, while it’s understandable to want to have whiter, brighter teeth sooner than later, when it comes to keeping your smile safe, it pays to trust your dentist for professional treatment. That way, you can rest assured that your smile stays healthy while you get a gorgeous, gleaming grin faster than you would with diluted discount products!
About Dr. Mitchell
Dr. Robert Mitchell earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas at Austin and his dental doctorate at Baylor College of Dentistry. He is one of the proud few dentists in the State of Texas to be inducted into the Academy of General Dentistry as a Fellow and is an active member of a variety of prestigious professional organizations including the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Texas Dental Association, and the American Dental Association. To schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation, visit our website or call 972-233-1311.