What to Know Before Trying Teeth Whitening

Woman smiling brightly showing white teeth after teeth whitening treatment, close-up natural light beauty photo.

We all want to be able to enjoy a perfect smile without a worry in the world, but it’s important to know that there is a little bit of prep to take care of beforehand. With this in mind, we’ve created a quick little guide that talks to patients and dental professionals to make sure that everyone is on the same page.

Let’s dive into the details so we can guide you through everything you need to know.

Communication is key

Although there are plenty of adverts for DIY whitening kits, nothing is more important than patients and dentists coming together. Issues like gum disease, damage to enamel, and other more subtle conditions all need to be considered before a treatment can be safely applied. Things get even more complicated when you consider that being pregnant or breastfeeding a child prohibits many forms of whitening. Diet also needs to be factored into the equation, with some diets requiring temporary changes for the treatment to work as intended.

No treatment is a cure-all

Dentists who highlight the benefits and the limitations of the treatments they provide are dentists who clearly have the best interests of their patients at heart. A practice exists to generate money just like any other business, but it’s the open and transparent approach that the best practices take that makes a real difference. Regular dental check-ups are the only way to truly stay on top of issues around oral health that contribute to aesthetics, and that’s why they simply cannot be missed.

Treatments only work on natural teeth

Dentists need to highlight the fact that crowns, fillings, veneers, and bridges will not change colour when a whitening treatment is applied. The key point here is that, while such fixtures are designed to match the natural colour of teeth, a conservative approach to whitening needs to be taken. If the effect is too drastic or bright, a clear mismatch with the natural teeth will be created. This could potentially impact the overall aesthetic, leaving the patient with a look that they are not fully satisfied with.

Preparing for the treatment

Patients are always strongly advised to stop smoking for at least three weeks prior to their teeth whitening treatment. Smoking is not only bad for many aspects of overall health, but has been consistently proven to diminish the effects of whitening treatments by darkening the outer surface of the teeth. While no one will claim that it is easy to quit smoking, it is something that can improve quality of life in a wide array of different ways.

Foods with colourings and additives like red wine, curry, and coffee should typically be avoided for 72 hours before a treatment is due to take place. This is to make sure that regular brushing and the use of a fluoride-based mouthwash can be used to remove any built-up stains and deposits. Doing so will improve the efficacy of the whitening treatment, leading to better results.

The benefit of professional treatment

Dental practices will routinely source a large and consistent stock of treatments such as pola teeth whitening solutions, and they will always do so from trusted national suppliers. The point here is that they will be able to offer consistency and coverage, allowing patients to enjoy a far better result than if they were opting for a DIY treatment performed at home. Dental practice managers can use this as both an educational talking point and a marketing point to ensure that patients know how to access the highest quality treatments.

Recovering from a treatment

Dental professionals are the experts at making sure that treatments are applied in a way that is safe, responsible, and minimally invasive, but there will always be the potential for light discomfort. It is not uncommon for the gums to become slightly sensitive or inflamed for a short period of time afterward, and it’s the role of a dental professional to guide the patient through what they can expect.

The importance of dental professionals

In an age of instant results and social media perfection, dental practices have a unique role to play in terms of managing expectations and ensuring patient comfort and safety. By making sure that the practice has a readily available supply of premium-quality whitening agents, the practice manager can encourage responsible whitening across the local community. Patients can then book in treatments with the peace of mind that only comes from knowing they will achieve the results they want without potentially causing discomfort or other issues.