Having bright white teeth is one of the most desired traits when it comes to dental cosmetics. Certainly, you can achieve this by brushing twice a day with whitening toothpaste, but this can take weeks which is sometimes not conveniently available. If you have a job interview, wedding, or just want a boost in confidence in general, getting your teeth professionally whitened is a fast, safe and efficient way to dramatically see results. At River Run Family Dentistry we are here for your oral health and cosmetic dental needs.
The Whitening Procedure
The procedure for whitening teeth is also known as bleaching. This process involves the dentist applying a gel made up of 15 – 45% hydrogen peroxide. Essentially, the hydrogen peroxide is helpful for breaking down and removing stains from the teeth. The dentist then applies either a heating lamp or laser treatment to complete the process. This is repeated as many times as necessary for around an hour. The results from this are shockingly white teeth in no time at all.
You can keep your bright white smile for years with good oral hygiene and a healthy diet. And depending on exactly what level of procedure you have chosen; you can be given a custom tray for at-home bleaching to keep the freshly-whitened effect going for a while.
Is This Safe?
This procedure is completely safe. And it is more beneficial than you might think. While it isn’t a cleaning per se, the substance used to whiten the teeth removes plaque and kills bacteria. It isn’t a replacement for a regular check-up, but it does indeed remove build up on the teeth itself.
Things to Keep In Mind After The Procedure
Because this is a cosmetic procedure, meaning it is highly likely that the visit is paid for out-of-pocket, it is very helpful to remember that the bleaching effect can be reversed if you end up eating and drinking foods that stain teeth — as well as failing to practice positive oral hygiene.
You don’t entirely have to give up your favorite beverages, we recommend using a straw for stain-heavy drinks such as coffee and red wine. It may be a little different at first, but it helps in protecting what is essentially an investment for your teeth.
In addition to this, it is still important to brush twice a day and floss once a day. You can use toothpaste that is made with whitening in mind. These will usually have small amounts of hydrogen peroxide and/or baking soda. If you keep this up every day and eat a healthy diet, you are sure to keep your white smile for a very long time!
Talk To Us About Your Dental Cosmetic Needs
At River Run Family Dentistry we are fully committed to providing both oral health and cosmetic dentistry services to help you achieve a smile you can count on and live happily with. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, you can call our office at 830-387-3040. We are looking forward to hearing from you soon!
