The past decade has brought us an increase in Insta-perfect smiles. Whether they’re filtered or not, this major social phenomenon has more people unconfident about their less-than-dazzling teeth color.
In-office and at-home whitening treatments are more popular than ever. Over the last ten years, hundreds of millions of people have used a whitener at least once. You can easily find whitening strips and toothpaste over the counter today. Although they’ve become much safer, the most effective way to whiten your teeth is still a professional whitening service.
Whitening products have chemicals in them that work as the active ingredient that lightens your enamel. These chemicals are typically some form of hydrogen peroxide. Using them in your mouth has to be done carefully. Not all manufacturers use high-quality standards and ingredients to make their products.
At Mountain View Dental, we only use the top, professional-grade whitening products on our patients. We combine the best whiteners with state-of-the-art equipment and extensive safety protocols. Together, this method gives you optimal results as quickly as possible.
The best part about a whitening treatment in our office is it’s easy, painless, and even relaxing! When you’re ready to make a change and get your smile Insta-ready, here’s what you can expect (and there are no filters involved).
Schedule a Check-Up
If you have a big event coming up, don’t wait until the last second to schedule your whitening treatment. You’ll need time to have a check-up first so we can make sure there aren’t any problems that would be aggravated by a bleaching agent.
Any whitening product can potentially irritate your teeth and gums. This is particularly true for OTC products that need to be applied frequently or for long periods to work. The longer the chemical is on your enamel, the more likely you are to end up with damage.
Sometimes, the damage is short-term, like minor increased sensitivity in the gum and teeth areas. Other times, though, the damage to your enamel is permanent. Why take the chance when you can easily have a whitening treatment done professionally by skilled experts?
At your check-up, we’ll look for signs of any oral health problems. You might have some signals that something is going on, or there might be no warning at all. However, if you have a cavity, crack, or chip in a tooth, or the beginning of gum disease, you’re going to feel it when the whitening product is applied.
We’ll take care of any problems and schedule you for your whitening treatment as soon as you’re ready!
Preparing For Your Whitening Appointment
Aside from brushing and flossing like normal, you don’t have to do much to prepare for your appointment. If you do eat before you come, make sure to finish your meal at least half an hour before your visit. The digestive process softens the enamel in your teeth and it needs time to harden before we begin our work.
The typical in-office whitening treatment takes about an hour. This process includes a professional cleaning first. The cleaning is necessary in order to give the whitener a fresh surface of enamel to work with. Our hygienist will remove all the plaque and tartar that might be built up on your teeth before we start the whitening service.
Starting the Whitening Treatment
Because we do use a bleaching agent, our first priority is to make sure there’s as little chance of irritation as possible. Your mouth is full of sensitive tissues, from your lips to your gums. We start with placing a retractor to pull your lips and cheeks away from any contact with the whitener as a safety procedure.
Next, we’ll brush a layer of protective covering over your gums. This is important because the bleaching agent will naturally spread over the gumline. The gel we use keeps your gums protected from the effects of the active ingredients.
Finally, the dentist will start the process of whitening your teeth! The whitening agent is spread over your enamel and the fun begins.
The Whitening Process
When you understand how whiteners work, it helps to clarify why this process is so dangerous if you’re not careful.
Once the whitener comes into contact with your teeth, it begins to interact with a porous layer called dentin. The dentin is responsible for the shade of your teeth color.
The whitening agent’s job is to expand the pores in the dentin and absorb into them. When the bleach enters the dentin, it slowly lightens the color.
It’s not complicated, but if the whitener stays in contact with the dentin for too long, problems happen. To avoid this, we use a special professional-grade light that speeds up the process.
Our light works with the whitener to expand the pores in the dentin faster. Because the bleach gets in the enamel earlier, it gets the work done more effectively. You get whiter teeth with less chemical contact.
After Your Appointment
The professional whitening service at Mountain View Dental is the safest and most impactful way of getting a brighter smile. You might even notice a major change after the first visit!
To keep your teeth white, be sure you follow the aftercare instructions given to you by the dentist. Remember that the pores in your enamel are still open for up to 48 hours after you leave. What you eat and drink can get in there and stain the dentin again.
With a strong regular oral hygiene routine, plaque and tartar can’t build up as easily on your newly white teeth. If you do notice any gradual discoloration, though, you can call us to schedule a quick whitening touchup once or twice a year.
As long as you’re going for your twice-a-year (or as suggested by your dentist) check-ups, your teeth should stay healthy. Your Insta-perfect smile is now in your hands!
You don’t have to wait for the right time to start the process to a whiter smile. That time is now! All you have to do is contact Mountain View Dental. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is ready to help you put away the filters and show off your smile today!