Q: I’m getting married soon and I would like to whiten my teeth before the wedding. What options are available?
First of all, congratulations on your wedding and thank you for reaching out to us.
Whitening can be a great option to enhance the natural beauty of your smile.
But before undergoing any teeth whitening, it is crucial to have a healthy mouth free from cavities and gum disease. We recommend scheduling a check up and cleaning with your dentist to address any potential dental issues before you proceed with cosmetic enhancements.
The whitening process occurs through the interaction of peroxide with chromophores (colored molecules) within the tooth structure. The procedure is most effective in treating certain types of discoloration called extrinsic stains, which are caused by food, beverages or tobacco. Intrinsic teeth staining caused by medications like tetracycline, trauma to the teeth, discoloration from metal fillings or previous dental work on the inside of the tooth cannot be successfully addressed by whitening. If this is your case, your dentist can discuss other options for you. Another important thing to consider is that whitening is only effective on natural teeth; fillings, veneers or crowns will not lighten.
Whitening agents can be applied on their own, may need to be mixed before application or require light activation. The procedure can be done in one dental visit using a higher concentration whitening gel, or at home with trays that use a low concentration gel. If you opt for the latter, it may take a couple of weeks to see results. Whichever option you chose, we recommend that you have it supervised by a dental professional to avoid burning of the soft tissue in your mouth, lingering thermal sensitivity or enamel damage.
At Milano Dental Studio we offer an in-office whitening system using a light activated peroxide gel. We carefully protect your lips and gums to avoid burning, then we apply whitening gel in cycles until the desired shade is achieved. After the procedure we apply a prescription strength desensitizer to your teeth. If you feel more comfortable whitening your teeth at your own pace at home, we can fabricate custom trays to fit your teeth. We have different concentrations of whitening gel available and will select the one that is best for you. If you choose to whiten your teeth using over-the-counter products such as rinses, toothpastes, pens or strips, be mindful that they tend to have a low level of effectiveness.
Long term results depend highly on your diet and lifestyle. Smoking, drinking coffee or tea through the day, or consuming red wine on a regular basis can reduce the effectiveness of your whitening treatment. It is recommended to adhere to a white diet for 48 hrs after treatment—that is no dark-colored foods or drinks, and no smoking or vaping.
We hope you found this information useful.
Al Dente readers, please continue to send your dental questions our way!
