Research has shown that whiter teeth make people look younger and more hygienic, making them appear not only more conventionally attractive but also more employable. This explains why teeth whitening is such a popular cosmetic practice. However, you may have heard stories of people experiencing increased tooth sensitivity and other complications from home teeth whitening products. For this reason, many people choose to see a professional for help, who can give them the right advice and check their teeth for suitability and sensitivity.
This article explains how to find a dentist, how most professional teeth whitening appointments are structured, what to expect if you book one and what results you should get from your treatment.
Finding a dentist
When looking for a dentist who provides teeth whitening treatments, there are a few tips and tricks:
- Look at reviews
- Check on trusted and reliable platforms like Trustpilot to see how well they are rated and reviewed.
- Look for websites where their reviews are highlighted so you know they engage with patient care.
- Check their website for treatments, descriptions and images.
- Longer descriptions of each treatment, along with images like before-and-afters, will ensure you are fully informed.
- Check for qualifications
- Look for companies that have trained, qualified dentists and are fully staffed at their clinics.
The structure of the teeth whitening appointment
After you have chosen your clinic, you will then want to know what to expect from your appointment. A standard appointment structure will look like this:
- A comprehensive assessment of your teeth and gums to test your suitability for the product and to give personalised advice. An impression of your bite may be taken, which could be used to build a customised whitening tray. However, this does always happen.
- Following this, a protective gel or cream would be applied to your gums, and the whitening product (usually a gel) would be applied to your teeth. If you have a custom tray, the gel will be put into the tray and then fit around your teeth. Otherwise, the gel will be carefully applied to each tooth. In some cases, a laser or light will be used to activate the gel.
- You will then wait for a period of time (usually between 15 to 30 minutes).
- This process may be repeated a few times, depending on the dentist and your desired level of whiteness.
- After this level is reached, the products will be rinsed from the teeth, and the results will be revealed.
What results should you get?
The visual results of teeth whitening will be obvious, as your teeth will look noticeably whiter immediately following the appointment. You can often choose the level of whiteness that best meets your expectations.
Some teeth may react differently to the whitening gel; for example, veneers, crowns, or dental resins might not look exactly like natural teeth. It is worth speaking about this with your chosen dentist.
Unlike over-the-counter teeth whitening products, which can damage teeth, professional products have been tested extensively on a range of patients, making them a safer option. Nevertheless, sensitivity after your appointment is normal, with 10-20% of people experiencing it soon after.
How long do results last
The results can last a very long time (up to three years), but because your teeth will naturally get more yellow with time and exposure to different foods. If you’re looking to avoid this transition back to yellower teeth, here are some foods and drinks to avoid:
- Coffee
- Red wine
- Sugary foods or drinks
Get your teeth professionally whitened
If you’re looking to improve your overall look and think teeth whitening is the way to go, take these tips on board, find the best clinic for you, and get yourself a white smile.