A general dentist can provide most of the dental treatments you may need, including teeth whitening. That's why it's a good idea to find a dentist you like. That way you'll have someone to turn to for cleaning, teeth whitening, filling cavities, and treating gum disease.
When it comes to teeth whitening treatments, those provided by a general dentist are more effective than the products you buy at the store. Here's a look at how a professional teeth whitening kit works.
When To Consider Professional Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is effective on stains caused by smoking, foods, and beverages. It won't work very well on stains caused by trauma or medications. Your dentist evaluates your teeth to determine if a whitening kit is right for you. If you have the type of stains that can't be removed by whitening, your dentist might recommend veneers or crowns.
If you want to keep your teeth white, it's best to start treatments before your stains get built up because the stains will be easier to remove. If you've tried over-the-counter products, but you're not getting results, then talk to your dentist about trying a professional whitening kit. These have stronger ingredients and they get quicker and better results.
What A Kit Includes
Professional teeth whitening can be done with a laser and strong peroxide. This treatment is completed in a dental office. When you get a kit, you get all the supplies you need to do your own teeth whitening at home. The kit includes trays that are custom-made to fit your teeth and the whitening gel.
How To Use A Whitening Kit
Discuss whether you need to whiten your lower teeth or not. Your general dentist might advise you to whiten them too, but it's also common to just whiten the top teeth. It all depends on how your teeth are stained. The front teeth are usually the only ones whitened since the back teeth are out of sight.
Before putting a whitening tray in, brush and floss your teeth. When you're ready, apply the gel in the tray and put the tray in your mouth so it fits over your front teeth. You shouldn't add so much gel that the gel oozes out and gets on your gums. If that happens, wipe the gel off. Leave the tray in for the prescribed time and then brush your teeth to remove the gel.
Your dentist will teach you how to use the gel and tray properly. This includes how much gel to put in the tray and how long to leave the tray in place.
Teeth whitening products can cause tooth sensitivity, so if this happens, or if your gums get sore, talk to your dentist for advice. You may need to use toothpaste or treatments for sensitive teeth too, or reduce the amount of time the tray is in place.
A general dentist can help you get whiter teeth in a relatively short amount of time. This can boost your confidence and cause you to smile more often since you won't feel self-conscious about stained teeth.
Contact a general dentist near you to learn more.
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