Professional Teeth Whitening - What to Expect

The first step to getting a professional teeth whitening procedure is to visit a cosmetic dentist who is trained in doing these treatments. When you make your appointment, make sure that you specify that you wish to talk to the dentist about the possibility of having your teeth whitened. You will be asked to answer a number of questions about your health before the dentist comes into the room and takes a look at your teeth.

Based on the consultation, he or she should be able to give you a good idea as to how many treatments it will take for you to get the desired results. You will likely also be shown you a chart which indicates where your teeth are now, in terms of color, and where they will be when you are finished with the whitening procedure.

When it is time to have your professional teeth whitening done, you will be escorted into a treatment room. Your gums will be covered with a rubber dam in order to protect them. Next, gels that have high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide in them will be put on the teeth. Your eyes will be covered with sunglasses and a special UV ray may be placed directly in front of your teeth in order to maximize the gel’s effectiveness. After 15 to 20 minutes, your dentist or the technician will come in and will remove the gel and the dam from your mouth. This will conclude the actual whitening procedure.

Most cosmetic dentists agree that the first 48 hours after having a professional teeth whitening procedure done is when they are the most likely to stain, so it is a good idea to stay away from foods that tend to discolor, such as coffee, soda, and wine, for at least 48 hours. If your teeth are as white as you want them to be after one treatment, you will not have to go back. If, however, your teeth were severely discolored, you may need to return to the cosmetic dentist for another whitening procedure or two in order to get your teeth as bright as you want them to be.