We all hear people and advertisements talking about whiter teeth and you may be wondering about whitening your own teeth. Before you do, let’s talk about teeth whitening first.

Preparing for Teeth Whitening

See your dentist – your dentist will evaluate what treatments will work best on your stains and discolorations. Some whitening procedures work well on stains while others work best on discoloration under the enamel.

Common Risks

Some burning or slight pain is possible, especially for those with sensitive teeth and gums, and there can be a higher level of sensitivity to hot and cold after treatment. Avoid swallowing any of the chemicals if you are using an at-home solution as this can cause some stomach upset. And if you experience any pain while doing an at-home treatment you should stop right away. Teeth whitening is not recommended for women while they are expecting or nursing.

How Often?

Teeth whitening in your dentist’s office usually lasts about a year, and touch ups can be done if needed. When using at home teeth whitening products it is recommended that you not use the product for more than 2 weeks at a time. Follow the directions on the product, but using a teeth whitening product every day is highly discouraged due to the strong nature of the chemicals.

At Home Products

Although use-at-home teeth whitening products are not usually as strong or effective as the procedure done in your dentist’s office, they are convenient in that they can be used anytime that is good for you and are good for in-between touch-ups. To help prevent damage to your teeth and gums from the chemicals, it is recommended that you use them 2 to 5 times then wait 6 months before your next treatment.

Stay tuned for the next blog post when we go more in-depth about each section listed here. First up will be “Preparing for Teeth Whitening.”