Our smiles play many roles in our lives. The health of our smiles impacts our ability to speak clearly, as well as our ability to enjoy the foods we like most. A healthy mouth also isn’t in pain, so our general comfort is improved when we struggle with tooth decay and gum disease. However, most prominently in the minds of many is how it impacts our appearance. While this may seem like the most superficial aspect of our smiles, Oak Grove Dental Center knows its impact goes further than many expect.
How Receiving Professional Teeth Whitening Impacts Our Lives
The most prominent impact our smile’s appearance has is on our self-confidence. It’s not unusual to be embarrassed to share a heavily discolored smile. This embarrassment can have a lasting impact on our self-esteem, and the effects of this can touch on every area of our lives. Studies have shown that the appearance of our smile can impact our romantic endeavors, social interactions, and career opportunities.
Given the detrimental effects of an aesthetically unappealing smile, it’s no surprise that many people are seeking dental whitening services. Professional teeth whitening treatments are more effective than those available over the counter and, in the hands of a professional, are less likely to cause side effects. Teeth whitening procedures are generally gentle and safe and can brighten your teeth in multiple shades with a single treatment.
The steps of a dental whitening treatment with Oak Grove Dental Center include the following steps:
- Treatment Preparation: This stage involves a simple dental exam to ensure that you’re in good oral health. Prior to the whitening treatment, your teeth will undergo a professional cleaning to ensure the solution has unimpeded access to your enamel. Be sure to eat sometime before your treatment, but do so more than 30 minutes ahead of time. Brush your teeth and floss before arriving, however.
- The Whitening Treatment: Now that you’re prepared to get the most out of your whitening treatment, our team will begin. They’ll begin by placing gauze in your mouth to absorb saliva and keep your teeth dry. The next step will be to apply the peroxide solution to your teeth and expose them to a special light that will enhance the results you can expect to see. This step of the process can take as much as an hour to ensure the best results.
Once the treatment is completed, you’ll notice a significant difference in the color of your teeth. However, it’s common for the initial result to be brighter than the outcome. Generally, you’ll see an improvement of a couple of shades when the color of your teeth finally settles.
Contact To Oak Grove Dental Center For Teeth Whitening Services
One important thing to consider about receiving whitening treatments. Dental whitening solutions cannot affect the color of dental restorations such as veneers or crowns. The only way to change the color of these restorations is by replacing them with a lighter-tinted material. If you’re ready to see what Dr. Kevin H. Speer and the team at Oak Grove Dental Center can do for your stained teeth, call (503) 654-9521 and schedule a consultation with us today!