WHAT SHOULD I KNOW BEFORE GETTING LASER TEETH WHITENING?
What your smile looks like can leave a lasting impression. Whether you’re leaving a positive or negative impression may rely on how bright your smile is. A brilliant smile shows strength, health, confidence, youth, and beauty. A growing number of people in Cary, NC are starting to be worried about how white their smile is. Now that every actress and actor on television has a stunning smile and whitening products are so common they can be located at the supermarket, a brilliant smile has turned into an important marker of beauty. If you’ve compared your teeth to a tissue and found your smile isn’t as vivid as you want, you may start thinking about teeth whitening options. At DentalWorks – Cary Crossroads, we do laser teeth whitening as well as other cosmetic treatments if you want a complete smile makeover. Learn more about laser teeth whitening, the benefits, the process, and how to get started by reading our laser teeth whitening blog:
THE BENEFITS OF LASER
When you have so many teeth whitening products (gels, strips, toothpastes, and more) you can grab at the store, why should you get professional laser teeth whitening by your dentist? For one, it’s more effective. All the over-the-counter teeth whitening products have limited effectiveness, so it can take a long time to see clear results. If you get laser teeth whitening, your smile will be several shades brighter in a single treatment. This can be helpful in case you have an important event (like a wedding or reunion) and you want your smile to be brighter fast. Second, store-bought whitening products are one-size-fits-most, and therefore they don’t adjust to fit your particular needs and goals. You may select an overly harsh product, which may lead to dental sensitivity and enamel damage. Your Cary, NC dentist knows your teeth and what level of whitening is safe for you. Your dentist can also make sure your teeth look natural and white instead of unnatural or even fluorescent, which happens to some people when they over-whiten at home. Laser teeth whitening is also your best choice if you have dental restorations (crowns or bridges). Store-bought whitening products will not work on artificial surfaces, so your results will probably be uneven. Finally, laser teeth whitening is better at correcting internal stains in comparison with store-bought whitening products. In case you have severe discoloration, laser teeth whitening is going to be your best option to get back a dazzling smile.
WHAT MAKES MY SMILE DULL?
Every time you eat or drink, extrinsic stains can develop on the surface of your enamel. Through the years, the stains collect and make your smile dull and yellowish. Some of the biggest culprits of staining are berries, coffee, tea, and tobacco products. While drinks and food, as well as plaque and tartar buildup can stain the external enamel, you can also have intrinsic stains affecting the interior of your teeth. Intrinsic stains are often the result of using tetracycline antibiotics or a trauma to a tooth. Natural aging can cause both intrinsic and extrinsic stains. Intrinsic dental stains can’t be eliminated with store-bought whitening products. If you have intrinsic stains and you want a brighter smile, you should talk to your dentist in Cary, NC about professional whitening choices.
HOW LASER WHITENING WORKS
After a thorough consultation, your dentist will make your personalized laser whitening treatment plan. Your laser treatment will often be done after your bi-annual cleaning. This helps to remove built up plaque and tartar so the treatment can evenly whiten your enamel. Once your teeth are cleaned and dried, a protective barrier will be set over your gums. Afterward, the whitening agent will be carefully brushed onto your enamel. After your eyes are protected, the laser will be aimed at your teeth to activate the whitening gel. This process might be repeated several more times until your desired results are achieved. To complete the process, the gum barrier will be removed, and any remaining whitening gel will be cleaned off your enamel.
KEEPING YOUR SMILE BRIGHT
After your laser whitening treatment, it’s important to keep your smile looking bright. At DentalWorks – Cary Crossroads, we advise our patients to develop a good home oral health routine with twice daily flossing and brushing to address stains. Along with routine brushing, you should brush, use mouthwash, chew sugarless gum, or all three after you eat or drink something that may stain your teeth. For dark-colored beverages, you can use a straw, so the staining liquid doesn’t get on your teeth. If you smoke or use other tobacco products, quitting will keep your teeth from getting yellow and dull quickly. Professional cleanings from your dentist twice a year will give your dental team the opportunity to remove plaque and tartar buildup, which can dull your teeth, as well as polishing away stains from your enamel with special tools. For patients who want to touch-up or boost their results without a second full laser treatment, DentalWorks – Cary Crossroads creates custom home whitening kits. We will make custom dental trays for a more comfortable treatment than store-bought kits. Based on your needs and goals, your dentist will pick the suitable degree of bleaching gel for your kit. Before you leave with your personalized whitening kit, we will give you specific instructions on how often to perform the treatment and how long to use it on your teeth for safe, effective results.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION TODAY
DentalWorks – Cary Crossroads is a premier practice with cosmetic treatments and general dental procedures. Our dedicated team is experienced in laser teeth whitening as well as other advanced dental procedures. If you believe your smile could be helped by laser teeth whitening, contact our office in Cary, NC to schedule your consultation. Our team will be happy to listen to your needs and goals before talking your whitening options then making your custom treatment plan.
