Teeth Whitening in Owensboro & Beaver Dam, KY
If your teeth are stained, yellow, or otherwise discolored, you may not like what you see in the mirror. However, if you think you’ll be stuck with dull-looking teeth forever, think again. As teeth whitening has evolved and gained in popularity, more and more people find themselves with a glistening smile of which they can be proud. The best teeth whitening results come from professional teeth whitening services in Owensboro and Beaver Dam, KY. Here’s everything you need to know about teeth whitening.
Benefits of the Zoom Brightening System
The most obvious benefit of investing in teeth whitening is the immediate boost to your confidence. You need not worry about smiling with your mouth closed when you have beautifully clean and white teeth. There are plenty of other benefits, too, including:
- Professional treatment is more reliable than store-bought
- A single treatment from a dentist is more effective than months of alternatives
- We can help you avoid the pain and sensitivity that often occurs
The Hazards of Over-the-Counter Whitening Kits
Even though there are plenty of over-the-counter teeth whitening kits on the market, that doesn’t mean they are equal to what you get with professional teeth whitening from your dentist. In fact, if you don’t know what you are doing on your own, you can actually damage your teeth during the whitening process. For example, some over-the-counter teeth whitening kits contain abrasive whitening ingredients, which, when used improperly or excessively, may lead to the wearing down of enamel, putting you at greater risk of tooth decay. Other potential problems include increased tooth sensitivity, inflamed and/or bleeding gums, and even teeth that appear to be translucent, which happens when the peroxide in your teeth whitening kit erodes enamel around the edges of your teeth.
The Professional Teeth Whitening Process
When you choose professional teeth whitening with your dentist in Owensboro and Beaver Dam, KY, you’ll only need about 60-90 minutes to walk away with beautiful white teeth. To begin with, your dentist or hygienist will note the current shade of your teeth, then polish them with pumice to remove plaque. Next, your gum line and other areas of your mouth will be protected with barriers and retractors to keep them away from the whitening solution. When ready, the front surface of your teeth will be coated with a whitening solution, often containing hydrogen peroxide as the bleaching agent.
Once the whitening solution is applied to your teeth, a curing light or laser is used to activate the bleaching agent, and the solution is left on your teeth for 30-60 minutes. Finally, once your teeth have achieved the desired shade, they are rinsed and then given a fluoride application, since this will help negate any tooth sensitivity.
Am I a Good Candidate for Professional Teeth Whitening?
The best candidates for professional teeth whitening are usually people who already have healthy teeth, have few if any fillings or restorations, and who also have healthy gums. Also, those whose teeth are yellow, more so than severely stained or discolored are more likely to respond best to treatment, so keep this in mind.
Unfortunately, there are many people who are not good candidates for professional teeth whitening. Thus, if you are pregnant, have significant restorations such as crowns and bridges, suffer from tooth decay or periodontal disease, or already have sensitive teeth, you may need to consult with your dentist for any other available treatment options.
Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening
When you undergo professional teeth whitening, one of the biggest benefits is that you can be sure all of your teeth will have the same appearance following the procedure. Since over-the-counter teeth whitening kits are generic and made as one-size-fits-all, you may wind up with some teeth that are brighter than others. By relying on a professional whitening session with your dentist, this won’t occur. Also, if your teeth are badly stained due to using tobacco products or drinking coffee, tea, or wine, a professional teeth whitening session has a much better chance of getting your teeth to look white and bright. Finally, after walking out of your dentist’s office with teeth that look amazing, you will enjoy higher levels of self-confidence and self-esteem, both of which you can never put a price on.
How Long Does This Last?
If you assume you will need to visit your dentist week after week to keep your teeth looking white, that’s not necessarily the case. In fact, once you have your teeth professionally whitened by your dentist, the new look your teeth now have may last as long as three years. However, this will be dependent upon how well you manage things along the way. For example, if you like your coffee or wine, you may need to cut back a bit to keep the whitening effects around longer. Also, if you use tobacco products, you should do the same or quit altogether.
When you’re tired of having yellowish teeth staring back at you in the mirror, it’s time to consider professional teeth whitening services in Owensboro and Beaver Dam, KY. To get started, schedule a time to speak with your dentist and learn more about this treatment.
