All You Need to Know About Teeth Bleaching

Teeth bleaching is a cosmetic dental procedure used to change the color of teeth. When you go to the dentist’s office, one of the first things they will likely do is take impressions of your teeth to send to the lab. They can use this impression to create a customized tray that you will wear with whitening gel at home for about two weeks to whiten your teeth.

This is a great option for people who want to remove stubborn stains from their teeth and improve their smile quickly. Professional teeth bleaching is also a great option for people with sensitive teeth and gums because the trays are specially made to fit your mouth, so you won’t have to worry about getting chemical burns or developing gingivitis while you whiten.

Before your treatment, your dentist will go over your expectations with you and determine how often you should be wearing your trays. You may need to wear the trays overnight for up to two weeks to get the best results. However, some people only need to wear their trays for a few hours a day to see results. Typically, you will need to make two trips to the dentist’s office to complete this process.

Once you’ve worn the trays, you’ll visit the dentist again so they can check the results. Most people notice a difference of two to four shades in just a few days. However, each person’s teeth respond differently to teeth whitening treatments. The treatment doesn’t hurt and is very safe for most people, but you may experience some sensitivity during or after the treatment. Since your gums will be extra-sensitive during your treatment, it’s a good idea to avoid chewing on hard foods or drinking beverages that are too hot.

You should also be careful about what you eat after your treatment because your teeth are still delicate after the treatment and can become more stained if you eat a lot of dark-colored foods. Drinking lots of water after your treatment can also help keep your teeth feeling healthy and looking bright.

Is Teeth Bleaching Safe?

Professional teeth bleaching treatments are extremely safe and offer dramatic results in a single one-hour treatment. If you choose a professional whitening system, you can expect your teeth to whiten between five and eight shades. Some at-home systems can make teeth up to three shades lighter in just a week. However, over-the-counter whitening products are not as effective as professional strength ones. Not only do they have a lower percentage of hydrogen peroxide, which is responsible for whitening the teeth, but they’re also not as concentrated. This means that you’ll have to use them for longer periods of time to see anything noticeable happening with your teeth. Before you begin your procedure, your dentist will perform an oral exam to make sure you don’t have any cavities or infections in your teeth. If you do have these issues, they will not move forward with the whitening treatment and say that you should visit a dentist for a filling or cavity repair instead. 

To learn more about best practices for oral health, call Bay Area Dental at (510) 350-8187 or visit our dental office at 3300 Webster Street, #907, Oakland, CA 94609. Book your appointment with our dentist in Oakland, CA, to achieve the smile you have always wished for.