Whether your teeth have been stained due to food, tobacco use, or old age, you may want to restore your healthy, confident smile with teeth whitening. Although you can buy kits to use at home, getting the procedure done by a dentist usually yields better results. Here’s what you should know about the treatment.

Why Have a Teeth Whitening Procedure In-Office? 

Teeth whitening is generally considered safe, but you still have to consider the common risks of gum irritation and teeth sensitivity. Fortunately, both these risks are greatly reduced when a dentist performs the procedure, thanks to their access to thick peroxide gel.

They have tools to protect your lips and other parts of your face from the bleach, too. If you’ve had extensive or complicated dental work done already, or there are cracks and cavities of which you’re unaware, the dentist can also ensure that none of these issues are affected or worsened by the procedure.  

Whitening your teeth in-office also provides results quickly. It may take several in-home treatments before you notice a difference, but you can leave a dental office with a bright, white smile after the first visit. 

What Does the Procedure Entail? 

First, the dentist will give you a simple teeth cleaning to remove tartar, plaque, and debris. They’ll also perform an exam to see whether there are any problems that bleach could worsen, including cracks, cavities, and gingivitis. If there are no concerns, the dentist will compare the current shade of your teeth to the shade that you want so that they can customize the bleach treatments and measure progress. 

They’ll place a cheek retractor in your mouth to easily access all the teeth that are supposed to be whitened, and they’ll paint a resin or rubber application on your lips and gums to shield them. After this, they’ll apply the bleaching gel and leave it there for 15 to 30 minutes.

They may also shine a specialized light on the gel to enhance the process. The bleaching gel is then suctioned and washed away. The dentist will repeat the procedure as many times as necessary to get the desired shade of white. 

To enjoy all the benefits of having your teeth whitened by a skilled dentist, come to Valley Family Dentistry in Mayfield, NY. With nearly 30 years of practicing family dentistry, we’re dedicated to giving each patient a healthy, confident smile with the latest teeth whitening treatments. We also provide dental services, such as cavity fillings, root canals, chip repair, dental implants, and gingivitis treatment. Call (518) 661-6405 to schedule an appointment, or visit our website to learn more about our teeth whitening services.