Here in the United States, white teeth are a big deal. We pride ourselves on our pearly whites that mirror Hollywood’s stars. It’s no wonder that millions of Americans look for teeth whitening solutions every year. This includes many DIY solutions. Unfortunately, most DIY methods for whitening teeth are detrimental to natural teeth. The teeth whitening methods employed by Covington Dental Arts in Riverton are the best way to whiten your teeth safely and effectively.

Combatting Yellow Teeth

Teeth yellow naturally over time. Certain foods and drinks can hasten the process along, as can poor dental care. Yellow teeth can be a product of genetics. Before embarking on your teeth whitening journey, it can be helpful to determine the primary cause of staining. By doing so, you can find the best method for your teeth. 

All teeth whitening measures have the risk of making teeth temporarily sensitive. DIY kits especially can weaken or even chemically burn teeth depending on their composition, and there is a risk of bleaching the surrounding gums. We recommend working with your dentist to find the best teeth whitening solution for you.

Professional teeth whitening services are safer and generally produce longer-lasting results, but even professional teeth whitening will not whiten porcelain crowns or composite bondings. You will need to have a checkup so your dentist can determine the best solution for you. 

What to Expect from In-Office Tooth Whitening

If you have never had your teeth whitened professionally before, not knowing what to expect can be intimidating. At Covington Dental Arts, we offer only the highest quality teeth whitening solutions for you so your experience is satisfactory. Here is a brief overview of the process:

Preliminary Precautions

Before beginning the professional teeth whitening process, we will thoroughly clean your teeth. This will remove plaque and tartar that can interfere with the whitening treatment. While daily brushing and flossing are essential to keep this buildup down, they are not always enough to completely eliminate plaque and tartar from tricky to reach places. We will prepare your teeth to be squeaky clean for the best teeth whitening results.

However, the other elements of your smile need to be protected from the whitening chemicals. Bone and enamel fare much better than soft tissue when they come in contact with hydrogen peroxide. While it is perfectly safe for teeth, it tends to irritate the other tissues of the mouth. Accordingly, we take steps to shield your gums, lips, and cheeks during the process. 

Your dentist or dental hygienist will use a lip retractor to keep your mouth open wide during the procedure. This saves you the effort of holding your mouth open the entire time and prevents your lips from brushing against your teeth, marring the uniform look of the treatment and damaging your lips. 

There are a few more precautions your dentist or hygienist will put in place to protect your soft tissues. Gauze keeps your mouth dry during the procedure, while a muco-protectant gel acts as a protective barrier for your inner cheeks and lips. This is applied before the teeth whitening process begins. Your dentist may also choose to use a rubber dam to cover your gums and shield them from the whitening product.

Professional Tooth Whitening with Covington Dental Arts 

With the barriers in place, the teeth whitening process can begin. The primary mechanism of the professional teeth whitening process is to pair whitening gel with an activating light for quick results. The dentist or hygienist paints the gel on your teeth then shines the light on your teeth for about 20 minutes. In that time, the oxygen in the gel is transformed with the energy from the light, allowing it to delve deeply into your tooth enamel and lighten the pigmentation.

For best results, you will want to have several appointments. This will help solidify the new results. However, you should still avoid food or drink that is vibrantly colored which may negate the treatment. If you experience tooth sensitivity, which is the most common side effect of teeth whitening, it can be mitigated by dulling toothpaste. Work with your dentist to find and keep the white smile of your dreams.