How do you prepare for a dental whitening procedure?

1. Consult your dentist about the treatment
2. Schedule teeth cleaning procedure
3. Stock up on the right dental care products
4. Consider quitting your smoking habit
5. Eat a full meal before your whitening treatment

While having yellow teeth is normal, you might want to improve your smile to boost your confidence, prepare for an event, or improve your appearance for work. Fortunately, a dental whitening procedure is one of the quickest and most effective ways to treat teeth stains and discoloration. But if you’ve never done it before, you might be wondering how to get ready. To help you, here are some tips on how to prepare for a dental whitening procedure. Keep on reading!

Consult Your Dentist About the Treatment

After researching about the teeth whitening procedure, you might still have some lingering questions on your mind. The best person to address this is a dentist that will perform the treatment. This way, you’ll go home with information that can help you decide whether to push through or not.

If you’re interested in the procedure, it’s a good idea to book a consultation with a dentist. This way, you can share your medical history and have your teeth checked. They can help determine if you’re a good candidate for a whitening treatment.

For instance, the procedure is not suitable for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Other than that, your dentist might need to treat tooth decay and gum disease before recommending you for a teeth whitening treatment.

Schedule Teeth Cleaning Procedure

After your dentist recommends you as a candidate for a whitening treatment, they might ask you to undergo teeth cleaning procedure. This is because the whitening solution might not do its job properly if you have plaque or tartar blocking the surface of your teeth. By removing the unwanted substances, the results of the treatment can be improved.

One of the ways to remove plaque in your teeth is to undergo Airflow treatment. This uses air-polishing technology and Airflow plus powder to effectively target the sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth. As a bonus, it can also get rid of surface stains caused by smoking and drinking wine or coffee, which helps the whitening treatment be more effective.

Stock Up On the Right Dental Care Products

For most people, the sensitivity felt after a dental whitening procedure is mild and tolerable. You might feel some brief flashes or tingling, but it’s bearable. To help ease your discomfort, your dentist might use an oral care gel that can lessen the feeling of sensitivity.

To make the whitening process more comfortable for you, your dentist can also prescribe toothpaste for sensitivity. This will help you manage the sensation after the treatment. You can also purchase an over-the-counter pain reliever if you need it.

Other than that, it’s also a good idea to stock up on whitening toothpaste as maintenance. This can help prolong the effects of the treatment.

Consider Quitting Your Smoking Habit

If you’re a habitual smoker, you’re highly likely to have stained teeth. Nicotine can make your teeth yellow or brownish in the long run. Unfortunately, a whitening toothpaste might not be enough to lighten the discoloration. But with both teeth cleaning and whitening, you can achieve whiter teeth.

If you’re considering a professional whitening procedure, it’s also a good idea to think about stopping smoking. This way, you can prolong the effects of the treatment. Other than aesthetics, smoking can also compromise the health of your gums. It can increase your risk of gum disease, an infection that causes your gums to pull away from your teeth. This condition makes it possible for teeth to fall out.

Eat A Full Meal Before Your Whitening Treatment

If you have an appointment for both a teeth cleaning and a whitening procedure, it’s best to eat a full meal beforehand as the visit can take a few hours. After eating, clean your teeth to remove traces of food deposits.

Other than that, you will be advised not to eat staining foods and drinks for the next 24-36 hours after the procedure—such as coffee, tea, wine, red sauces, etc. This is because your teeth will become slightly porous, making it easier for colors to be absorbed. Stock up on white or clear foods such as the following:

• Fish and chicken without staining seasonings
• Rice and bread
• Plain yogurts
• Light-colored fruits and vegetables such as cauliflower, potatoes, pears, and bananas

Key Takeaway

Because of the benefits provided by a dental whitening procedure, you might be interested in getting it soon. In that case, it’s recommended to book an initial consultation with a dentist to know if you’re a candidate for the treatment. This way, you’ll know if you need to schedule teeth cleaning appointment, quit smoking, or stock up on dental products. Remember to eat a full meal before your treatment.

If you’re still wondering how to prepare for a dental whitening procedure,  you can contact us here at Casipit Dental Group! Our dentists can help determine if you’re a good candidate for the treatment and answer your inquiries. If you want to book an appointment, we have clinics in Metro Manila and Pangasinan.