Have you whitened your teeth on your own but were unhappy with the results? Or have you considered whitening your smile, but then heard stories about tooth sensitivity and damage?
Aspiring to have a healthy and bright smile is natural, but so are your questions and concerns.
We want to help you get the smile you deserve with our prescription-grade system.
In this article, we answer your questions and cover:
- The Day Before Teeth Whitening: How to Prepare
- Are You a Candidate? Your Consultation with the Dentist
- Professional Teeth Whitening in Los Gatos: Your In-Office Appointment
- What Is White Spot Removal?
- Caring for Your Smile After Your Teeth Whitening Procedure
- Other Cosmetic Dentistry Options to Consider
The Day Before Teeth Whitening: How to Prepare
The day before teeth whitening is an exciting time. You know you’re about to take the necessary steps to improve your confidence and outlook.
- Avoid Tooth-Staining Foods and Drinks — This is a good idea the day before tooth whitening, but it also makes sense to follow this advice for a few days leading up to your whitening visit. Avoid foods and drinks, such as red wine, curry, coffee, tea, and bright sauces.
- Clean Your Teeth Thoroughly — The cleaner your tooth enamel, the better your results will be. So, be sure to brush and floss thoroughly before your teeth whitening appointment. You can even add brushing and flossing session to your routine to be sure.
- Get a Good Night’s Sleep — Typically, patients who are well rested feel more relaxed in the dental chair.
Are You a Candidate? Your Consultation with the Dentist in Los Gatos
Your dentist will evaluate your teeth and gums to ensure whitening is safe for your smile. This step is important and one that you can’t take when you whiten on your own with a store-bought kit or gel.
If you’re a candidate, the dentist may recommend professional teeth cleaning first to help the whitening product better penetrate your tooth enamel.
Professional Teeth Whitening in Los Gatos: Your In-Office Appointment
On the day of your appointment:
- Avoid Eating and Drinking — After brushing and flossing, try to avoid eating or snacking before your appointment.
- Dress Comfortably — If you feel comfortable, you’re less likely to feel anxious.
- Ask Questions — If you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask.
Your in-office dental appointment for teeth whitening starts with a relaxing time in the dental chair. While you recline, we take care of your smile using the Sinsational Smile® system. We prefer this product because it lessens temporary sensitivity.
After applying Sinsational Smile, we wait twenty minutes, and then send you home with a special whitening pen. You continue whitening on your own for up to four weeks.
Teeth whitening is non-invasive and safe.
What Is White Spot Removal?
Think of white spots on the teeth as bruising or mineral loss. It is a different type of staining, but it can detract from your smile just like dark spots and discoloration.
White spots can result from excessive fluoride intake, orthodontic treatment, poor dietary choices, oral hygiene issues, or enamel hypoplasia.
Using the ICON infiltration system, your cosmetic dentist in Los Gatos can effectively eliminate these unsightly spots, resulting in a more even tone across your smile.
Caring for Your Smile After Your Teeth Whitening Procedure
After cosmetic teeth whitening, maintaining your results is a crucial part of caring for your smile post-treatment. You also want to avoid sensitivity.
- Avoid tooth-staining foods and drinks.
- Avoid touching your gums with the whitening pen, as this can cause sensitivity.
- Consider using a gentle toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth for a short period.
- If you smoke or use tobacco, consider quitting.
Other Cosmetic Dentistry Options to Consider
Besides professional teeth whitening, we offer many treatments to complement your smile, including:
- Tooth-colored restorations
- Dental veneers
- Dental bonding
- Gap closing
- Dental implants
You can incorporate multiple treatments to achieve a full smile makeover.
Contact Your Los Gatos Dentist to Get Started
You deserve a beautiful smile, and we can help you achieve it. To get started or to learn more, call us today at (408) 358-2161.
Our dental team offers an exclusive savings plan. Ask us for details.