Is Teeth Whitening Worth It? Ask Your Cincinnati Family Dentist

Professional Teeth Whitening at Cincinnati’s Top Family Dentist Practice

Don’t feel much like smiling lately? We hear this complaint in many of our patients. Unfortunately, we can’t all be born with perfect smiles. Lifestyle choices like smoking, drinking wine, or drinking coffee can discolor the teeth. Similarly, if you’ve damaged your enamel by drinking lots of sodas or eating citrus, your teeth will absorb the stains over time.

The good news is that teeth whitening can remove surface stains and significantly improve your smile. As a family dental office that also practices cosmetic dentistry, we’re a leading tooth-whitening dentist in Cincinnati, including Sharonville, Blue Ash, and other neighborhoods. We can help you rediscover your beautiful smile again.

What’s the Difference Between DIY Teeth Whitening Kits and Professional Teeth Whitening?

You can purchase over-the-counter teeth whitening kits that can do wonders for your teeth. But how do those kits compare to professional whitening from a cosmetic dentist?

Over-the-counter (OTC) whitening kits can help with mild staining, but they use a lower concentration of whitening agents, making them less effective. The trays in take-home kits are also one-size-fits-all. Professional kits are customized to your teeth, ensuring even coverage. The result is a highly targeted, more effective teeth whitening.

While OTC teeth whitening kits are generally safe, there’s always the risk of increased sensitivity or gum irritation. A dentist has the training to apply the whitening agent safely, so there is less risk of damage to your teeth. Not to mention that some of us have really sensitive teeth or weaker enamel, and if over-the-counter teeth whitening kits are used incorrectly or too often, you can cause more damage, or even darkening, to your teeth by doing it yourself.

The Difference Between Vital and Non-Vital Teeth Whitening

There are two types of professional teeth whitening procedures: vital and non-vital whitening. Vital whitening uses a gel containing hydrogen peroxide. Non-vital whitening essentially bleaches the tooth, so it can only be done on a tooth that has already had a root canal and therefore does not have a live nerve. This type of teeth whitening is called “non-vital” because it can only be performed on teeth that are effectively dead. Non-vital teeth tend to darken over time, which is why we offer whitening.

Whitening your teeth safely and effectively usually requires 1 to 3 appointments, each lasting 30 to 90 minutes. The duration of the procedure depends on the extent of staining.

Most patients experience temporary mild sensitivity or minor gum irritation, but these typically resolve after a few days. Another advantage of having your cosmetic dentist perform your teeth whitening is that if you experience any adverse side effects, you’re right here in our office for help.

How the Teeth Whitening Process Works

Although professional teeth whitening is a thorough procedure, each step is straightforward and designed to be comfortable and stress-free. First, we schedule a thorough examination to determine your teeth and gums are healthy enough for teeth whitening. We’ll record your current tooth shade and discuss your hopes and expectations.

If you have any cavities, they must be completely filled before the whitening process. Otherwise, the whitening chemicals can pass through the decay and damage the inner parts of your tooth. Your dentist will then photograph your teeth to map the progress of the treatment. If you’ve previously had dental bonding, you’ll need to work with your dentist on new dental bonding or another form of tooth repair, like veneers or implants. This is because dental bonding is made to match the shade of your teeth exactly, so if you get teeth whitening done, the bonding will not whiten with your natural teeth and therefore won’t match afterward.

During the whitening, our cosmetic dentist will polish your teeth with pumice, a gentle yet grainy material that removes surface plaque. We then isolate your mouth with gauze to keep your teeth dry. We also use retractors to protect your gums, lips, and tongue from the whitening agent. We next apply the whitening agent to the front surfaces of your teeth. The solution contains hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as the bleaching agent. We’ll activate the solution with a special light or laser.

Next, your teeth will be left to sit for 40 minutes. Once we’ve reached the desired shade, we’ll rinse your teeth. Fluoride may be applied if you experience any sensitivity, a common but temporary side effect of teeth whitening.

A Cincinnati Family Dentist Trained in the Science of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening may be considered cosmetic, but most Cincinnati dentists will tell you it can significantly affect your overall oral health. An added benefit of teeth whitening is the deep cleaning that’s required before the cosmetic procedure.

However, teeth whitening is not a permanent solution, especially if you smoke, drink a lot of coffee or wine, or consume foods with staining agents. You may need to have your teeth whitened annually to maintain a sparkling smile, depending on the degree of staining and your diet. It’s also a good idea to consider diet and lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking or reducing coffee intake. Consider limiting wine consumption or choosing white blends over red. Overall, if you take good care of your newly whitened teeth, you can expect the effects to last from several months to a few years.

The Cincinnati professionals at Beckham Square Family Dental are trained in teeth whitening procedures. If you think professional teeth whitening is right for you, give us a call today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced family dentists.