You may begin to consider scheduling an cosmetic dentistry appointment with Dr. Johnson to get a teeth whitening treatment, but you realize you have some questions like: does it hurt? What exactly is the process? But our knowledgeable office has got you covered! Below you’ll find commonly asked questions regarding the teeth whitening dental procedure.
What Happens During The Teeth Whitening Process?
Unfortunately, as the years go by, you’ll find that your smile will lose its brilliant luster. This is largely affected by the food and drink you consume and depending on your diet, some foods/drinks stain your teeth more than others. Regularly brushing teeth can keep some of the stains away, but there are areas that even your toothbrush just can’t reach. Under your teeth’s enamel, there is another layer of tissue called dentin—this is where the hard to reach stains lie. During the teeth whitening process, the dentin tissue is the main area targeted. Using a clinical-strength hydrogen peroxide gel that gets under your enamel, this solution will break up the particles that are staining your teeth. This process is called oxidation reaction.
Why Does Teeth Whitening Cause Sensitivity?
Yes, the teeth whitening treatment will cause sensitivity—but it’s not long-lasting! During the teeth whitening treatment, the hydrogen peroxide gel used has an active ingredient that targets stains beneath your enamel in the lower tissue level (dentin). As the hydrogen peroxide gel becomes activated, it leaves your teeth tubules open and exposed, causing your tooth’s nerve tissue to also be exposed. The tubules will close once the tooth becomes rehydrated, but because of all the exposure, it’s best to avoid foods that have extreme temperatures (i.e. hot soup or ice cream) or certain foods that are high in sugar or salt (candy and salty snacks), as this might also irritate your nerve tissue.
Can Teeth Whitening Damage Your Teeth?
The teeth whitening treatment does not damage your teeth. As a matter of fact, the tooth enamel is considered to be one of the strongest tissues in the entire human body. During the teeth whitening process, the hydrogen peroxide gel used to whiten your teeth will actually go through your enamel under the surface of your tooth to remove the existing stains of your teeth. Even though you will feel sensitivity after Dr. Johnson’s treatment, this is not because of damage that has occurred to your teeth. The sensitivity to your teeth is due to your dental pores being opened up and cleaned by the solution. Since the pores remain open for a bit of time after the treatment, your teeth will be susceptible to pain from certain foods or temperatures for a little while.
After My Teeth Whitening Procedure, When Can I Eat?
Since we just discussed teeth sensitivity following your treatment, we understand why so many people ask this question. The fact is that since your teeth’s tubules are still open and exposed, this also means that you can potentially undo Dr. Johnson’s work by consuming items that are dark in color. After your treatment, we highly suggest that you do not consume items that have colors for the first 24-hours. This includes not only food and drink, but also using toothpaste of a different color other than white and smoking. You can certainly eat and drink after your procedure, but if you’d like to keep your teeth as white as possible, we recommend staying on the safe side and eat only white or clear food and drink for the first 24-hours. This ensures better results and avoids you accidentally staining your teeth while your tubules are still open!
Will Teeth Whitening Remove White Spots?
This is a tricky question because it’s not really a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. White spots on the surface of your teeth can stand out because of the contrast of the color of the majority of your tooth versus the white spots. But with a simple and fast teeth whitening treatment (the treatment takes no more than an hour!), you can reduce the visibility of these white spots. So in reality, the teeth whitening treatment doesn’t remove the spots themselves, but works largely towards making them nearly invisible to those around you.
Get Started With Your Teeth Whitening Treatment, Today!
Now that you’re more informed about the teeth whitening process, don’t hesitate to schedule your teeth whitening session! As previously stated, this procedure takes less than an hour which means that you can get this treatment done easily and quickly—even over the lunch hour! If you’re ready for this treatment, get started by scheduling an appointment with Dr. Johnson either online or by calling our friendly staff at 301-645-3230. We can’t wait to hear from you!