What To Expect From Your Teeth Whitening Treatment
Achieving a radiant, white smile is a common goal, but factors like aging, diet, smoking, and certain medications can lead to discolored teeth. Fortunately, professional teeth whitening treatments can help you achieve a brighter smile. At Pinnacle Dental in Farmington, CT, we offer convenient take-home whitening kits designed to lighten your teeth effectively and safely in the comfort of your home.
Ready to boost your smile? Contact our Farmington cosmetic dentist at (860) 470-3660 to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you achieve your smile goals.
Preparing for Your Take-Home Whitening Treatment
Before you begin your teeth whitening regimen, it’s important to prepare your teeth to maximize results:
- Avoid Stain-Causing Foods: Steer clear of items like coffee, tea, red wine, and berries for a day or two prior to treatment. These can deposit new stains.
- Brush and Floss Thoroughly: Clean teeth are essential for an even whitening outcome. Brush and floss well before applying the whitening trays.
- Rest Up: While at-home whitening isn’t invasive, feeling well-rested can make the process more comfortable.
What to Expect with Take-Home Teeth Whitening Kits at Pinnacle Dental
At Pinnacle Dental, we provide custom take-home teeth whitening kits for patients who want an easy, professional-grade whitening option. Here’s how the process works:
- Initial Consultation & Digital Scan: During your first visit, we’ll take a digital scan of your teeth to create custom-fit whitening trays. These trays are designed to fit your mouth perfectly, ensuring optimal contact between the teeth whitening gel and your teeth.
- Whitening Process: You’ll receive the custom trays and a professional strength whitening gel to use at home. The bleaching agent works to break down stubborn stains without damaging your enamel. The trays are typically worn for a few hours each day, and most patients see noticeable results in just a few days to weeks, depending on the level of staining.
- Ongoing Maintenance: Once you reach your desired shade, occasional touch-ups will help maintain your bright smile. We recommend avoiding stain-causing foods and drinks, especially during the initial period after whitening, to preserve your results.
What About In-Office Whitening?
While Pinnacle Dental offers take-home whitening solutions, some other dental offices may offer in-office teeth whitening, also called chairside teeth bleaching. In these cases, your dentist will place a protective barrier over your gums and soft tissues to prevent gum irritation. From there, the dentist applies a higher concentration of whitening gel (either containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) and may use LED light or laser technology to accelerate the whitening process.
These sessions usually take about an hour, and results are often immediate. However, this option can be more costly compared to take-home kits, and tooth sensitivity following the treatment may be more pronounced.
If you’re curious about in-office options, feel free to ask our team, and we can explain how they compare to take-home kits in terms of effectiveness, cost, and comfort.
Aftercare Tips for Teeth Whitening
To ensure your new, whiter smile lasts, follow these aftercare guidelines:
- Avoid Dark-Colored Foods and Drinks: For the first 48 hours after whitening, avoid coffee, tea, wine, and dark berries. These can quickly re-stain your teeth.
- Use a Sensitivity Toothpaste: If your teeth feel sensitive after whitening, use a toothpaste specially formulated for sensitive teeth.
- Maintain Regular Oral Hygiene: Brush twice daily and floss to keep your teeth clean and free from stain-causing bacteria. Consider using an alcohol-free whitening mouthwash to help prolong your results.
- Limit Acidic Foods: Acidic beverages and foods like soda and citrus can erode enamel, making your teeth more prone to staining.
Frequently Asked Questions
Teeth whitening is generally not painful, but some people may experience sensitivity or discomfort during or after the procedure. Your dental professional can recommend ways to manage any discomfort you may experience.
Teeth whitening, when done correctly, should not damage your enamel. However, overuse or misuse of teeth whitening products can lead to damage to the tooth enamel and cause sensitivity or even tooth decay.
In general, most people can get their teeth whitened. However, teeth whitening treatments may not be recommended for individuals with certain dental conditions, such as cavities or gum disease. Consult with a dental professional before undergoing any teeth whitening procedure.
On average, most patients can expect professional teeth whitening to last between 30 and 60 minutes. The length of your treatment will depend on your dentist, how many shades you want to lighten your smile to, and other factors.
Achieve a Brighter Smile with Pinnacle Dental’s Whitening Kits
If you’re looking for a convenient, effective, and affordable way to whiten your natural teeth, Pinnacle Dental in Farmington, CT, is here to help. Our custom take-home whitening kits offer professional results from the comfort of your home, with less sensitivity compared to other options.
Contact our Farmington office at (860) 470-3660 to schedule your consultation today. We proudly serve patients from Plainville, New Britain, Hartford, Newington, and nearby areas.