Teeth Whitening Session Coming Up? 3 Tips to Get the Best Result
While some are born with great teeth, most of us have to put in a little extra effort to get there. That’s why we avoid things that can stain our teeth, take our oral hygiene seriously, and see the dentist regularly for cleanings. But sometimes, no matter how much we brush or floss our teeth, they just don’t seem as bright as we want them to be. When that happens, many of us turn to teeth whitening treatments to help give us that extra boost of confidence.
So, if you have a teeth whitening session coming up, we’ve got a few tips to help you get the best results.
Different Types Of Teeth Whitening
There are two main types of teeth whitening: in-office and at-home. In-office teeth whitening is done by a dentist or dental professional and is typically more expensive than at-home teeth whitening. An example is the SunnaSmile Teeth Whitening—a LED-activated teeth-whitening system equivalent to 50 tubes of whitening toothpaste, 25 dental whitening syringes, and five packages of strips when it comes to whitening power.
At-home teeth whitening kits like the Sunnasmile Advanced Home Whitening Kit are available over the counter or online and are typically more affordable than in-office treatments.
No matter which type of teeth whitening you choose, you can do a few things to prepare for your treatment.
What To Do Before A Teeth Whitening Session
You can do several things to prepare for your teeth whitening treatment, both in terms of your teeth and gums and overall health.
1. Schedule A Dental Check-Up
Naturally, you want your teeth to be as healthy as possible before you whiten them. This means scheduling a dental check-up and getting a professional cleaning. Your dentist will be able to tell you if your teeth are healthy enough to withstand a whitening treatment and will also be able to remove any tartar or plaque that could interfere with the whitening process.
While most modern teeth whitening procedures are safe for your teeth and gums, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and get a professional opinion before your session. Ask your dentist for the following:
Oral Health Exam: By scheduling a dental check-up before your teeth whitening session, you ensure that your dentist can give you a thorough oral health exam. This exam can help identify any potential issues that could affect the results of your teeth whitening session.
Teeth Cleaning: To get the best possible results from your teeth whitening session, it is vital to have clean teeth. Professional teeth cleaning by your dentist or hygienist can help remove any build-up on your teeth that could hinder the results of your session.
Remove Tartar And Plaque: Besides having clean teeth, it is also important to have tartar and plaque removed before your session. Tartar and plaque can act as barriers to the whitening agents and prevent them from penetrating the tooth enamel.
Help You Choose The Right Teeth Whitening Method: There are many teeth whitening methods available, and your dentist can help you choose the one that will work best for you based on your needs. For example, if you have sensitive teeth, your dentist may recommend a teeth whitening method that uses a lower bleach concentration.
Assess Sensitivity: One of the most common side effects of teeth whitening is temporary sensitivity. Your dentist will be able to let you know if you are at risk for this side effect and take steps to minimize it during your session.
2. Desensitize Sensitive Teeth
If you’re concerned about experiencing discomfort during your appointment, don’t worry—there are a few things you can do ahead of time to help minimize any discomfort. You can try one or more of the following methods a few days before your scheduled treatment:
Use Toothpaste For Sensitive Teeth: These products usually contain potassium nitrate, which helps to soothe nerves in the teeth.
Avoid Acidic Foods And Drinks: As we mentioned earlier, acidic substances can wear away at tooth enamel and make sensitivity worse. Try cutting back on carbonated beverages, coffee, citrus fruits, and vinegar leading up to your appointment.
Rinse With Saltwater: This simple solution can help reduce inflammation and gum soreness. Just mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water and swish it around for 30 seconds before spitting it out. You can do this several times a day leading up to your appointment.
Use Fluoride Mouthwash: Fluoride helps to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities—and it might just help with sensitivity as well. Rinse with fluoride mouthwash for 30 seconds twice per day leading up to your appointment.
Why Is There a Link Between Teeth Whitening and Tooth Sensitivity?
Some people may experience increased tooth sensitivity after receiving a professional teeth whitening treatment. This is because the bleaching agents used to lighten teeth can sometimes cause irritation in addition to removing stains.
There are a few reasons why your chompers might sting:
- Exposed Root Surfaces: If your gums have receded, it may leave your tooth roots exposed. When this happens, the root surfaces can become irritated and lead to sensitivity.
- Cavities: When cavities aren’t treated early enough, they can cause nerve damage and increase sensitivity.
- Teeth Grinding (or bruxism): Nighttime teeth grinding can wear down your tooth enamel and lead to heightened sensitivity.
- Acidic Drinks And Foods: Foods and drinks with a high acid content (we’re looking at you, soda and citrus fruits) can break down enamel and cause increased sensitivity.
3. Consult A Shade Guide
Getting your teeth professionally whitened is a great way to brighten your smile and feel more confident. But teeth whitening gone wrong is a real thing – and it’s avoidable if you do your research beforehand. One of the most important things you can do before getting your teeth whitened is to consult a shade guide.
What Is A Shade Guide?
A shade guide is exactly what it sounds like – a guide that shows you the different shades of white that are available. This is important because you want to ensure that your teeth are whitened to the shade that’s right for you. If your teeth are too white, they will look fake. And if they’re not white enough, you’ll be left feeling like you wasted your money.
How To Choose the Right Shade?
There are a few things you should keep in mind when choosing the right shade for you:
- Your skin tone
- Your hair color
- The color of your teeth before whitening
You want to choose a shade that will complement your natural coloring – not one that will make you look like you have Chiclets for teeth. Consulting a professional beforehand is always the best way to ensure that you end up with the perfect shade of white. Once you’ve consulted a shade guide and chosen the perfect shade for you, all that’s left to do is enjoy your brighter, whiter smile!
Give Your Smile a Boost
A bright, white smile can give you a new lease on life. It’s one of the simplest and most affordable ways to boost your confidence and feel great about yourself. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to achieve brighter teeth, contact Vanity Vault today. We offer professional tooth whitening services like the SunnaSmile Teeth Whitening. It’s safe on enamel, protects gums, causes little to no sensitivity, is a registered natural health product and on top of all that, it will have your smile shining in no time! Contact us today to book your appointment.