Teeth whitening has seen a meteoric rise in popularity over the last several years. Although there are various methods, such as over-the-counter products and professional teeth whitening at a dental office, it remains the most effective and secure way to whiten your teeth. In this article, we’ll outline the process, advantages, and historical background of teeth whitening at a dental office.
Before beginning the teeth whitening procedure, a dental hygienist will first inspect your teeth to guarantee they are in good health for the procedure. This examination includes taking an x-ray of your teeth to check for any underlying dental issues.
Once a dental hygienist has verified your teeth are healthy, they will begin the teeth whitening process. This usually includes:
- Cleaning: Before the whitening process can begin, a dental hygienist will thoroughly clean your teeth to eliminate any plaque, debris, or tartar buildup. This step is essential in order to guarantee that the teeth whitening process has maximum impact.
- Whitening Gel: After the dental hygienist applies the whitening gel, they will break down stain molecules on your teeth with hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide solution for a brighter and whiter smile.
- Light Activation: To maximize the effects of whitening gel, a specialized light source may be applied to your teeth. This helps accelerate the chemical reaction within the gel, thus expediting its overall effectiveness.
- Rinse and repeat: Depending on how discolored your teeth are, you may need to repeat the whitening process multiple times in order to see results. Each repetition should be done over several weeks in order to protect tooth enamel between each session.
