How Does Professional Teeth Whitening Work?

You’ve probably seen teeth whitening kits in stores and wondered what the benefits are of having your teeth professionally whitened. There are several! Read on to learn how professional teeth whitening works and why you should have your teeth professionally whitened instead of doing it at home.

Your Current Shade

When you go to your dentist’s office for professional whitening, the first thing they’ll do is make a record of your current tooth shade. This will let your dentist know where you’re starting from and help them understand the duration of the procedure. If your teeth start off fairly white, the process will be quicker than if your teeth are yellowed.

Polish and Isolation

Once your dentist has your current shade on record, the procedure can begin. Most of the time, the entire process takes 60 to 90 minutes. The first step is to polish your teeth to remove plaque. Plaque can get in the way of the whitening solution and make the process less effective. A grainy material called pumice is used to get plaque off your teeth.

Once the plaque is gone, your dentist will isolate your mouth so your teeth don’t get wet during the procedure. Gauze and retractors keep your cheeks, tongue, and lips away from your teeth. In addition, your dentist will place a barrier to protect your gums from the whitening solution.

Whitening Solution and Curing

Once all of that is done, it’s time to start whitening! The dentist will coat your teeth with a whitening solution usually made of carbamide or hydrogen peroxide. Either of these solutions bleach your teeth to bring their shine to a beautiful level. Depending on the whitening product, your dentist may cure your teeth with a light or laser.

After the solution is left on your teeth for around 30 minutes to an hour, you’re all set! You’ll rinse out your mouth and be on your way. Working with a cosmetic dentist in Los Angeles is much more efficient than whitening your teeth on your own. After one short procedure, you’ll already see significant results.

Now that you know how professional teeth whitening works, make an appointment and visit us at Cal Dental Group. We can’t wait to meet you!