We tend to describe teeth as being “pearly white.”
But that often isn’t the case. Your teeth will discolor over time, be it through the foods you eat, medications you take, poor oral habits, or age. However, this discoloration doesn’t have to be permanent. Getting your teeth whitened professionally can get rid of these stains and lighten the color. Make sure you keep reading below to learn more about teeth whitening in Santa Maria!
When you get your teeth whitened professionally, your dentist will coat your teeth in a bleaching agent, which is usually made of hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. This solution bleaches the surface of your teeth and makes it lighter in color, but you may need more than one treatment before reaching the shade you want.
Professional teeth whitening takes between 60 and 90 minutes, so make sure you have enough free time on your schedule before you book your appointment. You’ll spend most of the appointment letting the whitening solution sit on your teeth, but there are a few other steps involved as well.
Here’s what you can expect during the whitening procedure
Your dentist will also place a barrier along your gum line to prevent the solution from touching your gums. This may involve gauze to keep your teeth dry and retractors to keep your lips and tongue away from the solution.
Your teeth may feel a bit sensitive after this procedure, but this is normal. Over time, this extra sensitivity will go away. Your dentist may use a fluoride rinse to speed up the recovery process.
You may need several teeth whitening appointments before your teeth reach the desired shade. Because of this, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It depends on your personal circumstances. You should have a conversation with your dentist to learn more about your options and how often you should get your teeth whitened professionally.
Not sure who to talk to? Oaks Dental can help! Feel free to call out Santa Maria office at (805)922-2191 to ask any questions or
schedule an appointment!