Preparing for Professional Teeth Whitening in Fairhope, AL

A bright, white smile conveys health, beauty, and confidence. If your teeth have become dull, discolored or stained over time, professional teeth whitening is an excellent way to restore their natural brightness as part of a smile makeover. This safe and effective cosmetic treatment can remove years of discoloration, revitalizing your smile makeover.

However, there are several important steps to take before your whitening appointment to ensure you achieve the best possible results from your smile makeover treatment. Follow this complete teeth whitening preparation guide from the friendly dentists at Lagniappe Dental in Fairhope, AL.

Get a Dental Exam and Cleaning

The first step is scheduling a comprehensive dental examination. This allows your dentist to check for any underlying issues that could interfere with whitening or cause complications during your smile makeover. These include:

• Tooth decay or dental infections - These require treatment before whitening. The peroxide gel can penetrate decayed areas and irritate the inner pulp.

• Gum disease - Inflamed, receded, or periodontally compromised gums are at higher risk of sensitivity from the whitening agents used in smile makeovers.

• Worn enamel - Years of grinding or acid erosion can wear down the enamel layer that whitening needs to penetrate.

• Leaky fillings - Whitening solution can seep into cracks or openings in old fillings, causing pain and sensitivity.

• Root exposure - Bleaching exposed dentin at the gumline is extremely uncomfortable. Any recession should be addressed first.

Your dentist will also check for certain tooth discolorations that professional whitening cannot improve, like brown fluorosis stains or tetracycline staining. In these cases, other solutions like dental bonding or porcelain veneers may be recommended instead for your smile makeovers in Fairhope AL. You should also have a professional cleaning before whitening. This polishes away plaque buildup so the peroxide gel can fully contact your enamel surfaces during your smile makeover treatment. Stubborn plaque deposits can act as a barrier, preventing the whitening agent from penetrating evenly.

Evaluate Your Staining

During your exam, your dentist will evaluate the type and extent of staining affecting your teeth. Surface stains from foods, drinks, smoking, medications, or poor oral hygiene are the most responsive to professional bleaching and smile makeover services. Grayish internal discoloration from aging or trauma may require more intensive treatment.

Be realistic about the degree of whitening you can achieve. Severely stained teeth resistant to over-the-counter products will require multiple sessions for noticeable improvement with smile makeovers. Discuss your goals and expectations openly with your dentist. They can advise you on the best treatment protocol for your unique staining.

Avoid Staining Substances

In the weeks leading up to your treatment, modify your habits to prevent additional staining of your teeth. This allows the peroxide whitening agent to work most effectively during your smile makeover.

Avoid or limit staining beverages like coffee, tea, cola, red wine, sports drinks, and dark juices. Smoking and tobacco products also severely discolor teeth and impact whitening results from your smile makeover in Fairhope AL. Have your last cigarette at least 24 hours before your appointment.

Minimize intake of staining foods as well. Soy sauce, curry, tomato-based sauces, berries, and colorful spices can all contribute to tooth discoloration. Focus on non-staining choices like vegetables, cheese, nuts, rice, and poultry.

Use Whitening Toothpaste

Switch to a specially formulated whitening toothpaste in the days or weeks before your treatment. Look for brands containing gentle polishing agents and low concentrations of peroxide to lift surface stains gradually. If you have sensitive teeth, looking for a whitening toothpaste for sensitive teeth. You can also try a whitening pre-treatment rinse. Swish these around your teeth for 60 seconds before brushing to loosen staining and enhance your toothpaste's effects.

Avoid Over-the-Counter Whitening Kits

While home whitening kits may seem like a good idea, they can actually interfere with professional bleaching used in smile makeovers. The store-bought trays don’t fit your teeth properly, allowing the gel to contact your gums. This increases irritation. Overuse of peroxide before your dental visit also leads to severe sensitivity. It’s best to avoid over-the-counter methods completely in the 2 weeks before your appointment.

Know What to Expect with Teeth Whitening Services

Understanding the professional whitening process helps you feel relaxed and comfortable during your visit for a smile makeover. Here’s what you can anticipate:

• Your gums and lips will be protected with dental dams or resin shields. This isolates your teeth and prevents gel contact with soft tissues.

• A paint-on whitening gel containing 10-22% hydrogen peroxide is applied to your teeth. This concentration is much higher than over-the-counter products.

• The gel remains on your teeth 15-45 minutes. Your dentist may use an activating light to accelerate the chemical reaction.

• You may experience some mild tooth and gum sensitivity during and after. This is normal and temporary.

• Results vary by individual. Most patients see a noticeable difference immediately after treatment. Full whitening develops over the next two weeks.

• Depending on your goals, multiple sessions may be recommended for longer-lasting whiteness from your smile makeover services. Touch-ups with a follow-up appointment every 6-12 months help maintain your bright smile.

Post-Whitening Care Tips

Following professional whitening, avoid substances that will re-stain your teeth for at least 48 hours. Coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco, soy sauce, berries, and other culprits should be avoided during this time after your smile makeover treatment. Post teeth whitening care is key to keeping your teeth as white as possible.  

• Brush with sensitivity-formulated toothpaste if your teeth feel tender. Use a soft brush and avoid aggressively scrubbing your enamel while it rehydrates and rehardens.

• Consistent oral hygiene is critical for maintaining your new white smile achieved through smile makeover services. Brush twice and floss once daily to prevent stains from gradually returning over time. See your hygienist for professional cleanings every 3-6 months as well.

• Apply touch-up whitening periodically based on your dentist’s recommendations. Use custom-fitted take-home trays with prescription-strength gel for the safest and most effective touch-up bleaching.

• Protect your enamel while sleeping by wearing a custom nightguard if you grind your teeth. Hard grinding or clenching can damage your newly whitened teeth.

• Schedule occasional maintenance visits, like once or twice per year, for new whitening gel applications to retain your bright smile from your smile makeover.

Ready to Schedule a Teeth Whitening Session? Call Us Now to Schedule a Consultation

Following the appropriate preparation and post-care steps helps you achieve better whitening results from your smile makeover treatment and maintains your brighter smile safely. Contact Lagniappe Dental in Fairhope, AL to schedule your teeth whitening consultation today! Our skilled dentists provide customized treatments to meet your goals. We can also help you with other dental procedures, including dental implants. Call us now to get the smile of your dreams.

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