Did you know that only 15% of Americans rate their oral hygiene as excellent?
Taking care of your teeth is so important if you want them to last! Not only that, but healthy teeth make for a much better and brighter smile, so brushing, flossing, and rinsing is vital if you want to look great in photos.
If you’re not 100% happy with your teeth, you don’t have to live with them. If pearly whites aren’t so white anymore, don’t despair and succumb to closed-mouth smiling for the rest of your life; have them whitened!
Find out more about teeth whitening and when you should have it in our complete guide.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Our cosmetic dentistry practice offers teeth whitening as one of our services and sees people of all ages and genders coming in to have their teeth cleaned and whitened. It’s one of the most common services any cosmetic dentist in Lexington KY can offer! But, what exactly is it?
Simply put, it’s the method of whitening your teeth to remove yellowing and stains, making them brighter and lighter without removing the surface of your teeth. This is usually done by professional bleaching. Our dentist in Lexington KY will use bleach with either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide as the active ingredient.
We’ll also use a rubber shield or a gel to protect your gums when the bleach is applied, making sure they’re not harmed at all during the process. It’s easy, doesn’t hurt, and has brilliant results!
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Take?
Teeth whitening is a lot less hassle than other procedures, like crowns or root canals. Aside from being pain-free, it’s also much quicker to do!
Generally speaking, teeth whitening takes around 30 minutes with our experienced Lexington dentist. After you’re finished, you can continue applying the whitening treatment at home, which is much less hassle than having to come in all the time!
Or, there’s laser whitening which is much quicker and still hassle-free. In this procedure, the bleaching product is applied and a laser is then shone onto your teeth, helping to activate the whitener and leave you with brighter teeth in around only one hour.
When Should You Have Their Teeth Whitened?
Teeth whitening isn’t necessary for everyone. You should only have it done if you’re not happy with the current color of your teeth. For example, people that smoke or drink a lot of coffee have their teeth whitened more regularly than those who don’t.
A lot of people find their teeth yellowing with age, which is completely normal. There are even certain antibiotics that can cause teeth to yellow! It’s not always down to dental hygiene, which means that you could need your teeth whitened at any time.
In general, as soon as you’re not happy with the color of your teeth, you should have them whitened. This procedure is all about boosting your confidence and making you feel happier, so it’s entirely up to you.
How Often Should You Have Your Teeth Whitened?
Some people have their teeth whitened as often as they have teeth cleaning, while others will wait years between their appointments. Mainly, it all comes down to personal preference and your lifestyle. If you smoke, drink red wine and coffee, and don’t keep up with good oral hygiene you can expect to see our family dentist in Lexington much more frequently!
The usual length between treatments, though, is around one year. Too often and you could start to feel your teeth becoming very sensitive, and any longer and yellowing may appear. One year should be often enough to keep your pearly whites bright without making them too sensitive.
When Should You Not Have Your Teeth Whitened?
For most people, teeth whitening is a totally safe procedure with little to no side-effects. But, there are a few cases, as with anything, where you’ll need to consult your dentist before you have the procedure done. For example, if you already have very sensitive teeth and gums, this might not be the procedure for you.
People with receding gums should also be careful, and anyone who’s allergic to peroxide – which is used as the whitening agent in the treatment – should avoid teeth whitening altogether. If you’re pregnant, you should also avoid it to keep you and your little one safe.
If you have any concerns about getting your teeth whitened, your best bet is to have a chat with your dentist. They’ll be able to let you know if it’s a good idea and can advise you on what to do if it’s not.
What Are the Alternatives to Teeth Whitening?
If teeth whitening doesn’t sound like your thing but your teeth aren’t in good shape, there are other options. For example, our implant dentist could fit you with a new set of teeth if your current ones are in too bad a condition to repair. Or, we can fit you with veneers to cover your teeth, leaving you with a perfectly white smile.
Book in For Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a brilliant way to enhance your smile, boost your confidence, and keep your teeth looking their very best! In America and around the world, it’s become one of the popular dentistry procedures and can transform your whole appearance. You’d be surprised what one session of teeth whitening can do!
If you’re interested, be sure to book in for a consultation or a treatment with our professional dentists in Lexington. If you have any questions, be sure to get in touch with us today!
Recent Comments