It’s the season of giving – and of smiling. Put them together, and we think giving the gift of a pearly-white smile is something we should keep on giving.
Do you know someone who recently had braces taken off? Or a coffee addict who’s always talking about tooth-stain frustrations? Or, does your spouse consume their fair share of the vino, and forget to brush at night? Have you heard any loved one talk about how they want a whiter, brighter smile?
Whether your teeth are straight…or not so much, teeth whitening is one sure way to feel more confident about a smile. And, with practically instantaneous results, there couldn’t be a better gift to give this holiday season. You could leave someone ready for the photos that will most assuredly come this time of year, and see that smile slapped confidently all over the internet with the subsequent uploads.
Effects of a white smile:
Research has shows that 88.8% of orthodontic patients request tooth whitening after their teeth have been straightened. So, needless to say, a family member who’s had their braces removed could be smiling even brighter next year, instead of becoming one of the 18% of post-braces patients who reportedly don’t show their teeth in a photo.
What’s more, studies have shown a practically unanimous agreement among adults, at 96%, who think an attractive smiles makes the opposite sex more appealing—74% of those same adults think an unattractive smile can hurt your chances for career success, too.
The truth is in the pudding—whitening your teeth is a game-changer. And, as a truly special gift idea, the likeliness of someone benefiting from this non-invasive procedure are beyond measure.
What’s the teeth-whitening process like?
There are multiple options when it comes to achieving a brighter, whiter smile, and we here at Josey Lane Dentistry want to present you with all of your options. First thing is first, though—consult with your dentist before proceeding with any treatments to your teeth, as candidacy is a factor.
Candidacy
Overall, tooth-whitening is a low-risk procedure, which means it can suit a lot of different patients’ needs. Generally, the best candidates have mild-to-moderate discoloration, and after the treatment will achieve a beautifully lightened shade uniformly across their teeth. The following factors may rule out a patient for treatment:
- Patients with porcelain veneers, dental crowns, or dental bonding: Unfortunately, these circumstances don’t always allow standard teeth-whitening, and physical replacement is often done to achieve the level or white or bright one wants.
- Intrinsic stains: Stains including white spots, gray discolorations or a “dead tooth” are from an underlying layer in the tooth, and because teeth-whitening only works on extrinsic stains, patients will have to seek other options. There’s still the possibility to go whiter and brighter with deep-bleaching techniques, so just give us a call at Josey Lane Dentistry to learn more!
- Extreme tooth sensitivity or worn enamel: These conditions may only be exacerbated if teeth-whitening is performed, so consult with your dentist, first.
- Bruxism (or temporomadndibular joint disorder, also known as TMJD): Again, whitening may worsen these conditions, so consulting your dentist and doing in-office whitening is be the best option.
Types of Whitening Options
For candidates that are a good fit, the following options are all procedures a patient can use to whiten, dependent upon their budget:
- Over-the-counter (OTC) – The cheapest from of whitening means it will also be the least effective. Some of your OTC options, however, are temptingly convenient, and come in the following forms: toothpastes, gels, rinses, strips and pre-made whitening trays.
- Take-home treatment – The cost will be dependent upon the manufacturing of the personalized trays, the gel you use, and how many treatments the dentist recommends, but will be much more effective than over-the-counter.
- In-office – Cost will depend on the total number of sessions and if you need advanced treatment, which can include laser. The steeper expense alludes to the stronger treatment your dentist is able to offer, and will reveal much more dramatic results using a combination of whitening gel and specially-formatted lights or lasers to achieve optimal results. Your dentist may also send you home with the trays so you can perform treatments at home as well.
At the end of the day, everyone’s results will be different depending on the severity of the stains, the layer of the tooth the stains are on, the patient’s dietary habits and oral care habits, plus the type of teeth-whitening system used, the number of treatments and consistent follow up care.
If gifting, we urge you to inform your gift recipient to check with us dentist first if whitening is suitable for their teeth. Whitening can be a wonderful present that someone can actually use, and continue to reap the benefits of as they smile bigger and brighter every day.
Happy Holidays from the office here at Josey Lane Dentistry!
Emergency
Patient Forms
Contact Us