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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Understanding the professional whitening process helps you feel relaxed and comfortable during your visit for a smile makeover. Here’s what you can anticipate:
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.
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.
Call 251-517-3313 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.