What To Do When Home Tooth Whitening Doesn't Work
Apart from a killer smile, white teeth can improve the quality of your life. According to industry pundits, white teeth make you look younger, smarter, wealthier, and increase your chances of employment. Over 25% of orthodontist recommend teeth whitening for clients while 88% of patients request a teeth whitening procedure from their orthodontist. There are two approaches to whitening teeth: using at home kits and in-chair procedures.
Tooth staining occurs from lifestyle and dietary habits. Wine, cigarettes, coffee, and tea are some of the culprits with poor dental hygiene also being a great contributor to stained teeth. However, there are also cases of intrinsic teeth staining when one is exposed to too much fluoride during childhood, exposed to tetracycline antibiotics as a child, or born with dentinogenesis imperfection.
The At-Home Kit Doesn't Work for You... Now What?
The amount of staining on your teeth may cause you to have very little success with a home teeth whitening kit. While there are two alternative options, both require a trained professional because they use over 6% of bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide.
In-Chair Procedure
During the in-chair procedure, the dentist will use strong whiteners which contain 25% - 40% hydrogen peroxide concentration.
The Treatment Process
The dentist will let the whitening gel stay on your teeth for 15 to 20 minutes, repeating the process twice (with or without the lights) during each treatment course. The treatment plan is dependent on the amount of staining one is trying to remove, so it can go on for weeks.
The Take Home Treatment
Instead of spending time in at the dentist, you can ask for a take-home treatment. The dentist will take an impression of your teeth and make a tray to fit them.
The Treatment Process
The dentist will give you a mouth guard which has whitening gel. You can either wear it as you sleep for a milder treatment plan or for an hour every day for a more intensive treatment plan.
Finally, Are You a Suitable Candidate for Whitening?
Only a dentist can tell you whether you are a suitable candidate for tooth whitening, whether the home kit or the in chair procedure. Your gums and teeth will be inspected to ensure they are healthy. You will also be checked to see if you are prone to sensitivity during whitening.
If all is well, your dentist should let you know the best course of treatment. To learn more, contact a dental clinic like Pike Dentistry.