Teeth whitening brightens the shade of the teeth with a whitening agent. Many patients choose in-office teeth whitening because it is known to be the safest and most effective treatment. In fact, most patients prefer in-office whitening because it is evaluated by a dentist. This offers peace of mind that their smile is well taken care of!
Learn more about teeth whitening below and contact Harrisonburg Family Dentistry.
What Is The Process?
Before the procedure, the dentist examines the patient’s medical and dental history. He or she also examines the patients teeth and gums to assure they are healthy for the treatment. Assuming all is well, the patient’s teeth are cleaned and a retractor is placed in the mouth. The retractor is used to expose the teeth.
Next, the whitening agent is applied to the teeth and a special light is used to activate the chemical. This process takes an hour and includes the reapplication of the agent every 15 minutes. Once the procedure is done, the dentist thoroughly cleans the mouth to remove the whitening agent.
He or she will also explain post-treatment care. You may also want to consider touch-up kits to help maintain your new white smile. Nonetheless, teeth whitening is known to last up to 3 years.
Maintenance
- Refrain from food and beverages that discolor teeth such as tea, wine, curry, and coffee
- Avoid smoking as it causes the teeth to stain
- Daily oral hygiene habit and regular dental checkups for scheduled oral cleaning
- Use toothpaste recommended by the dentist with a whitening agent to maintain the whitening outcome
- Use a straw to take the refreshment drinks that cause teeth discoloration
Learn More
We highly recommend seeking consultation for teeth whitening. Although the treatment is very effective, certain dental conditions may require an alternative approach. Contact Harrisonburg Family Dentistry today. We happily accept new patients and offer an array of dental services to assist all smiles. Call (540) 209-8090 or book an appointment online. We look forward to meeting you!