Preparing for a professional teeth whitening procedure is crucial for achieving the best aesthetic outcome. Proper preparation ensures the whitening agents work uniformly across the tooth surface and addresses any underlying oral health concerns that could lead to discomfort or complications. Taking proactive measures maximizes the brightness of your smile and significantly minimizes the temporary sensitivity that often accompanies the treatment. A deliberate pre-treatment routine sets the foundation for a safe and highly effective whitening experience.
Professional Clearance and Pre-Whitening Cleaning
The first step involves a mandatory dental examination and clearance from your dentist. This professional assessment is necessary to check for existing issues, such as tooth decay, gum disease, or exposed tooth roots, which must be addressed before applying a powerful bleaching agent. Whitening over compromised dental structures can lead to intensified pain or cause damage.
Following clearance, a professional dental cleaning, known as prophylaxis, is required to prepare the tooth surfaces. This procedure removes hardened plaque and tartar, accumulations that cannot be fully eliminated by routine brushing. Without this cleaning, the whitening gel would be blocked by the surface debris, resulting in an uneven or blotchy color change. Removing these surface barriers allows the bleaching gel to contact the enamel directly and uniformly, ensuring optimal results.
Strategies for Minimizing Sensitivity
Post-treatment tooth sensitivity is a common side effect of professional whitening, and preparation can significantly reduce this discomfort. Dentists recommend beginning a regimen of desensitizing toothpaste about one to two weeks before your scheduled appointment. These specialized toothpastes typically contain active ingredients like potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride.
Potassium nitrate works by calming the nerves inside the tooth, effectively blocking the transmission of pain signals. Alternatively, ingredients like strontium chloride work to physically block the microscopic openings in the dentin, known as dentinal tubules, which transmit external stimuli to the nerve. This conditioning period allows the ingredients to build up protective effects within the tooth structure. Additionally, temporarily avoid highly acidic foods and drinks in the days leading up to the procedure, as acid erosion can exacerbate existing sensitivity.
Immediate Steps Before Your Appointment
The final checklist involves a few immediate steps to take just before you leave for your dental office. It is recommended to brush and floss your teeth gently prior to the appointment to ensure the teeth are clean. Avoid aggressive or hard brushing, as irritating the gums right before the procedure can increase their sensitivity to the protective barrier materials used by the dentist.
Since eating and drinking are typically restricted for a period after the procedure, having a meal shortly before your appointment is advisable. You should also apply a generous amount of lip balm or petroleum jelly to your lips. This prevents the lips from becoming excessively dry or chapped during the procedure, as a retractor will be used to keep your mouth open for an extended period.